Starting February 2012

What does the service offer?

SMART’s Custody Interventions Programme offers support to vulnerable adults who have been taken into police custody.   Our trained staff work alongside custody staff to screen everyone taken into custody, and identify and work with those who may need help.  Those who are identified would be given:

• One-to-one intervention with a trained Custody Referral worker.
• Harm reduction advice (e.g. substances, health promotion, coping with challenging situations)
• Advice and guidance on how best to access help.
• Information on local support services.
• Appointments with local services, as required.
• Drug testing, if appropriate.

Who is the service for?

The service provides support to the following adults who are taken into police custody in the Thames Valley:

• People using illicit drugs.
• People experiencing problems with their drinking.
• People with a mental health condition.
• People challenged by their learning ability.

Benefits

The service works with those who are identified as needing help, to better access support within their local community.   Our trained staff give one-to-one advice to people in custody suites.  This can be an opportunity to help people who may not be using services, or who are committing crime as a result of their problems. 

This pilot service aims to improve the efficiency of custody-based interventions by working closely with custody staff to provide targeted support for those who need it. 

Our staff have excellent links with local services and are able to help clients to gain access to the most appropriate support services available.  This may include: local Drug and Alcohol services; detoxification; rehabilitation; Community Mental Health Teams; Leaning Disability teams; Family and Children’s services; day centres; floating support; housing etc.

How to refer

There is no referral for this service.  Clients will be identified in custody by a SMART Custody Referral worker and referred onto other support services as appropriate.

How to get in contact

If you would like more information about this service, please contact SMART Head Office.