MOSAIC – services for young people experiencing problems caused by drugs and alcohol
Hannah (a social worker) and Ange (a family worker) talked about the work. MOSAIC is based on High Street in the centre of Stockport, and provides a free, confidential service to under 25’s. Support is given to carers, parents and children of alcoholics. There are 3 core treatment teams:
- the Treatment Team – support to under 25’s who have drug and alcohol issues
- the School Based Team – special drugs workers in high schools to support young people with worries about the use of alcohol and drugs
- the Family Team – children, young people and families affected by alcohol use (working in primary schools)
The service offers counselling, medical treatment through a GP and group work for therapeutic support
Family Service
This started to grow from the treatment service in 1999. A piece of research called ‘Hidden Harm’ showed that thousands of children were being affected by drug and alcohol use within families – another family member’s drug or alcohol use was having an effect on their education, emotions and even leading to them going hungry. There was a gap between the number of adults in treatment and the number of children being supported. The project started in schools, with early intervention. This involved bringing children and parents together on the ‘Think Family Project’ Parents are encouraged to think about how their children are affected and to give children a voice. The project gives parents coping strategies and helps them learn about how alcohol affects them. Assessments are made to help get the right support to the families.
School-based Team
A team of specialist drugs workers operate in most of Stockport’s high schools to support young people with worries about the use of drugs and alcohol.
Treatment Team
This brings together different professions such as nursing, social work and a GP to help people to cope with their own drug and alcohol use.
First contact is made by popping in or phoning MOSAIC and a key worker is allocated – an individual care plan is tailored to the person’s needs and will help them achieve their own goals
The team provides:
- Information, education and advice on substances and their misuse
- Substitute prescribing
- Harm reduction advice
- Relapse prevention
- Counselling
- Relationship counselling
- Housing and benefit advice
In addition, two specialist criminal justice workers liaise with the police, probation service and the courts to support young people at their fist point of contact when they are in trouble with the police – if they are involved in drug and alcohol crime they are automatically referred to MOSAIC. They may not choose to access the support at the at time, but at least they know about the service.
A new idea has recently put in place for Priority 1 areas (Brinnington, Adswood and Bridgehall, the Town Centre, Lancashire Hill/Heaton Norris and Offerton), called a ‘problem solving court order’, which helps young people to opt in to support from MOSAIC and all relevant services to help them tackle all the issues affected by drug and alcohol misuse. There are 8 workers with 20 people on each of their case loads, and there is a waiting list.
Once a young person reaches the age of 25, there is ongoing care from adult services and MOSAIC liaises with them to pass people on for support. MOSAIC is funded by Stockport Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Stockport Council – funding is shrinking so cuts are inevitable, which will reduce some services.
There have not been any direct links between MOSAIC and faith groups or youth groups managed by faith groups. However, there could be a possibility of training for youth leaders in drug and alcohol issues. It would be good to have stronger links between MOSAIC and faith groups.
To access any of MOSAIC’s services, anyone can phone, write or call in to make an appointment:
MOSAIC Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Services
Suites 1,2 and 3 Grosvenor House
High Street, Stockport, SK1 1EG
Email: mosaic@stockport.gov.uk
Tel: 0161 480 5939
Fax: 0161 477 2318
The school based service can be contacted on the main phone number above
or on 07866 898 248
|
