HELP PILOT SYSTEM-CHANGE
One of the aims of the Drug Strategy, Drugs: protecting families and communities (2008), is to deliver new approaches to drug treatment and social reintegration.
“One of the key actions is to develop pilots to test new approaches that can provide better end-to-end management of drug users through the system,” explains Martin Lee, head of the strategic development team at the Ministry of Justice Interventions and Substance Misuse Group. “This includes a more effective use of pooled funding and individual budgets, with a sharper focus on achieving positive outcomes for drug users, their families and their communities.
“Bids are invited to propose options for potential pilots to deliver an end-to-end approach to managing drug users and their multiple needs, adopting a more personalised approach. In return, pilot areas will be granted funding flexibilities, agreed by government departments, which will give them the opportunity to develop their own approaches, testing out new and innovative ideas.”
This work programme is overseen and commissioned jointly by a cross-government management board consisting of Home Office, Department of Health, Ministry of Justice, Cabinet Office, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Communities and Local Government, Department for Children, Schools and Families; it is supported by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse.
“This is an important , challenging, programme of work. The outcomes from the pilots will help to determine the future direction of regional and local drug funding, commissioning and delivery systems,” Lee stated.
It is likely – though not necessarily exclusively – that existing commissioners of services will take a lead in developing expressions of interest. "But a key aim of this initiative is to draw on the long experience of providers who already deliver joined-up services to those with a drug problem. One approach might be for all lead providers to approach commissioners in the areas where they already deliver services," Lee concluded.
CLOSING DATE
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 6pm on Thursday 11 December 2008.
WHO TO CONTACT
Potential bidders can first read the invitation to bid here:
Download drug_system_change_pilot_invitation_to_bid.pdf
To discuss details, contact programme manager Sherife Hasan on 020-7972 4464 or NTA specialist adviser Sue Finn on 020-7261 8587.
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