Health and Adult Services

Meeting of the Corporate Director and Executive Members

 

Section 31 local authority grants to support improvements in the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment between 2022/23 to 2024/25

 

8 April 2022

 

1

Key purpose of the report

 

North Yorkshire is eligible to receive additional ring fenced funding to support improvements in the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment between 2022/23 to 2024/25. The additional allocations will be made available via a Section 31 Grant throughout the three-year period. 

 

It is recommended that HAS Executive approve submission of partnership plans and receipt of associated grants over the three-year period.

 

2

What type of report is this?

 

Information/briefing item

Decision required

Does the report contain any confidential information?

 

 

 

Y

Y

N

3

Report details

 

Background:

 

Political, sector-led and expert by experience led advocacy for improving experiences and outcomes for people who experience drug and alcohol (substance) misuse has grown over the last few years. This has been set against a backdrop of increasing drug related deaths; increasing levels of multiple disadvantage; associated demand on services; and in some areas, decimation of drug and alcohol service funding.

 

Dr Ed Day was appointed as the National Drugs Recovery Champion in 2019. Dame Carol Black was commissioned at the same time to lead an independent cross-sectoral review into Drugs, which concluded in July 2021. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation and the Care Quality Commission concluded a joint thematic review into drug and alcohol treatment for those individuals on Probation in August 2021. The National Police Chiefs Council has also developed a public health focussed Drugs Strategy which seeks to balance harm reduction and support for people experiencing substance misuse (prevent, plan, protect) with enforcement responsibilities (pursue).

 

Dame Carol Black’s Review reinforces the complexity of substance misuse. It places misuse of substances firmly in the health inequalities camp. It is scathing of policy and investment over the last decade and calls for an adequately resourced system response. It calls central and local government, the broader system and communities to action, referencing the need for significant additional financial investment; competence and skill mix across the workforce; personalised compassionate care, and inclusive communities. Many people experience substance misuse for all sorts of reasons. People have typically experienced or are continuing to experience trauma and adversity and use substances to escape or dampen physical, emotional and/or psychological pain, mental health and/or housing challenges. Substance misuse must be viewed through a health inequalities and social justice lens – becoming dependent on substances is not a lifestyle choice – everyone has their story, as well as personal assets, a contribution to make and an ambition for their life.

 

The new Drugs Strategy for England was published on 6th December 2021. It is called ‘from harm to hope’ and sets out a ten-year vision, with an initial three-year implementation phase covering the Comprehensive Spending Review period 2022/23 – 2024/5. The spotlight during the initial implementation phase is on expanding and improving the quality of drug and alcohol treatment and associated support for people who experience substance misuse. This is underpinned by £900 million additional investment. £533 million will be made available to Local Authorities via Section 31 Grants to work with local partners to invest in plans that contribute to the following national targets: 

·         1,000 fewer deaths;

·         At least 54,500 new high-quality drug and alcohol treatment places for adults - including for people who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping;

·         5,000 new treatment places for young people;

·         A treatment place for everyone who is offending and drug dependent;

·         Close 2,000 county lines and disrupt 6,400 organised crime group activities

·         2% engaging in treatment accessing residential rehabilitation

Additional investment – North Yorkshire:

 

North Yorkshire County Council will receive a number of ring fenced additional allocations via a Section 31 Grant throughout the three year period, subject to submission of plans led by the Public Health Team that are approved by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

 

Receipt of additional allocations will be dependent on the Council maintaining existing (2020/21) investment in drug and alcohol treatment from the Public Health Grant.

 

Councils are encouraged to ensure they have sufficient capacity to manage delivery of the allocations and associated national reporting requirements – e.g. system leadership, project management etc.  

 

Allocation packs are yet to be received, but additional allocations are likely to comprise the following:

 

·         Supplemental funding for substance misuse treatment and recovery – at least £315,000 in year one, increasing in year two and three. The Council received £315,000 via a non-recurrent Section 31 Grant in 2021/22 and this will be maintained into 2022/23 as a minimum, and increased thereafter;

·         Inpatient funding – at least £62,487 per annum. The Council received an allocation consistent with this value in 2021/22 and formed a consortium with Leeds, Calderdale and Barnsley Councils, and provider HumanKind. Leeds City Council is leading on the commissioning arrangement on behalf of the consortium;

·         Individual Placement Support – yet to be confirmed;

·         Housing Options Support – yet to be confirmed;

 

Public Health Team led planning:

 

North Yorkshire:

 

The Public Health Team has led planning meetings throughout 2021 and 2022 with a range of partners including the adult specialist community drug and alcohol service, the young people’s drug and alcohol service, North Yorkshire Police, the Probation Service, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and OHID.  

 

Needs have been assessed, existing commissioning arrangements have been reviewed and priorities have been agreed. The Public Health Team is continuing to work with partners to develop plans in preparation for submissions once allocation packs are received.  

 

Inpatient Consortia – led by Leeds:

 

The Consortium will be maintained throughout the 2022/23 – 2024/25 period. The North Yorkshire Public Health Team will continue to support Leeds Council commissioning arrangements.

 

4

Significant risks and mitigation

 

Receipt of allocations will be contingent on submission of detailed plans on an annual basis by the Public Health Team. Detailed plans will cover local targets for increasing engagement in drug and alcohol and associated support by people who could benefit, and details of how quality of support will be improved. Details of local plans to reduce drug and alcohol related deaths would also be expected. It is likely that Public Health Teams will report on progress and spend plans on a quarterly basis. There will be a significant resource requirement for the Council, which we are addressing as part of planning.

 

It should be noted that unforeseeable events, including recruitment challenges which are identified in the Dame Carol Black Review and Drugs Strategy may mean that aspects of the spend plan may not be deliverable. OHID may seek to recoup underspends.    

 

5

Financial implications/benefits

 

The Council will receive additional allocations subject to submission of plans led by the Public Health Team that are approved by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) on an annual basis.

 

Receipt of additional allocations will be dependent on the Council maintaining existing (2020/21) investment in drug and alcohol treatment from the Public Health Grant.

 

 

6

Recommendations

 

It is recommended that HAS Executive approve submission of partnership plans and receipt of associated Section 31 Grants over the three-year period. This will maximise available investment to expand and improve the quality of support for people who experience drug and alcohol misuse across North Yorkshire.

 

7

Next steps

 

The Public Health Team will continue to work closely with partners to develop plans for submission, as allocations are made available. Plans will be approved by the Public Health Leadership Team and Health and Adult Services Leadership Team.

 

 

 

Angela Hall

Public Health Manager

30/3/22