Substance Misuse Services within the Family Safeguarding Model

Family Safeguarding is a model of working in Children's Social Care which brings specialist adult workers (drug and alcohol, mental health and domestic violence workers) together with children's social workers into integrated teams.

This is a nationally recognised model which enables families to stay together and reduces the number of children in care. The integrated teams deliver support to families when they need it, reducing system escalation, dependence and long-term trauma using motivational interviewing techniques. Implementing Family Safeguarding was a positive culture shift in Somerset - providing innovation, empowerment and staff feeling more valued. There is also a wider system impact for the programme.

In particular, Family Safeguarding reduces demand on emergency services (NHS & the Police) and creates prevention savings for Adult Services and Public Health (mental health & substance misuse services).

Somerset Council is intending to award a contract an existing provider following direct award process C.

Lifetime value: £1,113,829