Home Based Detoxification Support Service

This is not a call for competition and is not yet a contract opportunity.

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Background

Somerset Council commission a county specialist drug and alcohol treatment service to support those who are struggling with addition. The service is an all-age treatment service and supports individuals who are using alcohol and/or illicit substances. The service is run by Turning Point, a national charitable organisation, known locally as Somerset Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service (SDAS). A proportion of the SDAS treatment population require a detoxification from alcohol as part of their structured treatment.

People in structured treatment with (SDAS) who require detoxification alcohol, are assessed individually to determine the most appropriate method and setting for detoxification, based on their clinical needs, risk factors and support requirements. People can undergo an alcohol detox as an in-patient in either an acute or community setting or within their own homes.

Funding for detoxification comes from a combination of SDAS budget, an In-Patient Detoxification Consortium Allocation for Somerset and the additional government grant monies (previously the Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant and Rough Sleeper Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant, currently the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant).

Nationally, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of detoxification providers available for people struggling with addiction. This is due to sustained cuts to public health funding, increased operational costs and the closure of smaller, community-based facilities due to not being able to meet the rising demands of regulatory compliance and workforce pressures. This combined with a client group with increasingly complex presentations, has led to a shortfall in provision. As a result, access to timely and appropriate detoxification services has become more limited, particularly in rural or underserved areas, leading to longer waiting times and increased risks for individuals.

This shortfall poses a significant barrier to recovery, as detoxification can be a critical step in a person's recovery journey.

There is a proportion of the treatment population who are assessed as being clinically suitable for a home-based detoxification but who cannot undergo this treatment due to having no support network within the home environment.

We are exploring the option of commissioning a non-clinical support service for people who are undertaking a detoxification from alcohol within their own homes. The clinical aspects of the detoxification are the responsibility of the specialist drug and alcohol treatment provider - (SDAS). The role of the proposed service is to:

• provide comprehensive and compassionate support during the initial stages of someone's detoxification in a familiar and comfortable environment.
• providing oversight of an individual's physical health and emotional wellbeing, with a view to seeking medical/clinical support when required, thus reducing/minimising the risk of withdrawal complications.

We are keen to undertake some market engagement regarding this potential provision due to it being a new service and wanting to explore thoughts and ideas from those providing support service. To explore concerns, challenges and ensure that all factors have been considered prior to commencing the provision.

It is anticipated that any new arrangements would commence at some stage during 2026.