Community Mental Health Substance Use Outreach Worker

Issue date: 4th October 2023
Funding duration: 12 months
Funding amount: £37,857
Funding location: Bedford
Funding applications return deadline: 29/10/23 at 23:59

We are inviting applications from local VCSEs to support the extension of the offer for adults with substance use and co-occurring mental health problems in our new community mental health service for the Bedford area. There is an opportunity for a community substance use outreach worker to work alongside the existing substance use integration worker to improve access to support and treatment. Funding is available to provide at least 1 whole time equivalent (WTE) worker for a 12-month contract in the first instance. The worker will be co-located and integrated in our new blended teams whilst maintaining their unique identity as part of a VCSE organisation.

Mental health services across England are undergoing a major transformation as promoted by the government’s Long Term Plan for the NHS. The Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults describes how the Long Term Plan’s vision for a place-based community mental health model can be realised. It describes a need to align primary and secondary care mental health offers and target resources on closing gaps in access, outcome and experience for those who experience serious mental illness (SMI).

It is acknowledged that there are often challenges in accessing appropriate support when serious mental illness and substance use coexist. This project aims to integrate the support and to tailor an offer that removes barriers to treatment. Particular attention needs to be paid to ensure the offer is culturally competent and represents the community served. The worker will be co-located with our Community Mental Health Service in Bedford.