Park View Project - Access to Park View Project

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Access to Park View Project

Another highly effective characteristic of Park View is the non-protracted ease of access. Traditionally, funding for rehab was sort from a limited social service budget and was attached to the individual. The process could often be drawn out at best and unsuccessful in too many cases and this was a massive disincentive for people seeking to address their drug problem.

Park View Project, on the other hand, is jointly funded by the Addiction And Offender Health team within the PCT (Liverpool DAAT ) and Liverpool Supporting People on a block contract, which means that the beds are already paid for and therefore, crucially, there is no funding to be applied for. Drugs workers and individuals can refer to Park View without any complicated process. We can take a referral, conduct an assessment and, contingent on bed spaces, admit a person within a couple of days. This ease of access is crucial if the treatment system is going to capitalise on that often, brief window of opportunity, when a person is fully motivated. People who have to wait too long, without even being optimistic that their application is going to be successful, often drop off the radar and rather than being quickly supported in a safe, positive environment where their needs are being addressed, they quickly fall back into the vicious cycle of addiction, crime, homelessness, institutions and death.

Needs / Risk assessment

All potential candidates for admission are assessed by a qualified member of staff in order to determine that person’s needs and any risk their admittance might prove either to themselves, other clients, staff members, Park View Project or the local community. All assessments are taken to the daily staff case meeting for approval. Unsuccessful candidates (and their referrers) are written to with a full explanation of that decision. All decisions can be appealed.

It is Park View Project policy to assess each person on an individual basis and we recognise that assessment of a person’s needs is a continuous process. Our aim and purpose is to look at the whole person, and providing there is no untenable health and safety risk, adapt accordingly to that person’s needs. Our view is that we are here for others; they’re not here for us. We value people at a fundamental level regardless of their circumstances and recognise keenly their right of choice and their right to respect.

Disabilities

Unfortunately our premises have been deemed unsuitable to accommodate full disabled facilities. There is, however, means by which visitors or professionals in wheelchairs can access Park View Project. It should also be said that we regularly admit and support people with disabilities less critical than those requiring the permanent use of wheelchairs, such as persons with prosthetic limbs and sensory impairments. It is decidedly Park View Project policy to make effort to support people with disabilities and we welcome applications accordingly.

Housing Benefits

It is required of potential candidates that Park View can submit a housing benefit claim on their behalf upon admittance. This means that people with existing tenancies funded by housing benefit, must either relinquish that tenancy or make arrangements for the rent to be paid privately.

BME / harder to reach groups

Park View Project welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage minority and ethnic groups to engage with our services. We are able to accommodate people with special dietary requirements, whether that be in accordance with religious observance, preference or medical reasons. Potential clients and potential employees can be assured that Park View Project is a no tolerance zone in relation to any form of bullying, harassment or racism in relation to a person’s creed, colour, nationality, faith or sexuality.

Drugs and Alcohol

Park View is a strictly total abstinence project. Admittance is contingent on a clean urine sample and alcohol test. This includes methadone and sedatives. Regular drug testing will take place in order to monitor a person’s chemical status and ensure the safety and integrity of the environment. There is a no strike system in place regarding drug use or alcohol use, which means that any positive test will result in an immediate discharge. We understand that this may appear punitive; that in effect we are discharging the people that need us most, but there is no other way of maintaining a genuinely drug and alcohol free environment and the overriding consideration must be given to the whole of the community. Persons being discharged for a breach of their licence agreement are referred or signposted to appropriate agencies and supplied with information intended to ensure their ongoing safety and reduce any potential harms, such as risk of overdose and blood borne virus. We offer support in the community to people who test positive and who are clearly seeking to prevent a lapse becoming a full-blown relapse. Those people can reapply for admittance after 90 days or a fast track facility is available (30-60 days) for those who are making every effort to remain drug/alcohol free and can demonstrate that their current living situation is detrimental to that possibility.

Mental Health

We are unable admit persons with serious and enduring, deep-seated mental health conditions. However, we do accept people who require low-level support for mental health conditions. There have been a number of such clients who have done well, completed the programme and moved on to make real gains. We consider referrals on a case-by-case basis. A useful guideline for referrers would be that you should consider an alternative agency for anybody who will require medium-high level support from registered mental health professionals on an ongoing basis. Also, alternative support should be considered for persons who require sedative medication, which prevents their full engagement in group and one to one therapy. We do accept clients who are prescribed the new generation SSRI anti-depressants, such as Prozac, and will be guided by that person and their GP in terms of the prescribing regime.