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Efficient Government Fund EGF)1)1)2 Fire Alcohol Abuse Place of Safety

DescriptionThe development of a suitable model for an alcohol designated places to cover all areas of Fife.
ISBN (Web Only)
Official Print Publication DateDecember 2005
Website Publication DateDecember 07, 2005

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Efficient Government Fund Application

Stage 1 Application - Expression of Interest

Part 1: summary table

Bid Number (for EG use)

Lead Bidder

Fife Constabulary per Superintendent Martin Birrell

01592 418406 martin.birrell@fife.pnn.police.uk

Brief description of the aims of the project

The development of a suitable model for an alcohol designated place(s) to cover all areas of Fife, in respect of persons found drunk & incapable of looking after themselves. This will provide an alternative to persons being held in police cells or being taken inappropriately to the local Hospital's Accident & Emergency Departments.

Clear description of what the EGF money would be used to buy

The funding would be used for building adequate facilities for place of safety. There will also be running costs once the place of safety is established. These will include staffing, administration, equipment & building costs. There will also be funding required for support services to offer follow up support services to the clients.

Partners to the project likely to commit resources

The main partners are Fife Alcohol Advisory Service, NHSFife, Fife Council Housing Service, Kingdom Housing Association, Social Work

Names of other organisations with whom the project has been discussed (to assist the introductions process)

Drug & Alcohol Action Team, Criminal Justice Service and support agencies such as Fife Intensive Rehabilitation & Substance misuse Team (F.I.R.S.T)

Evidence that suggested approach has been deployed successfully elsewhere

There are two other places of safety established in Scotland the first being Albyn House in Aberdeen which has been run successfully for many years and has good partnership working including Social Work, Local Government, Police, Health Service and various Voluntary Sector Alcohol Services.

The second place is Beechwood House in Inverness that was founded by the Church of Scotland with similar partner arrangements to Albyn House. Both properties have a designated area where people detected by the Police for being drunk & incapable are taken. They are monitored in a safe environment until fit to leave. The clients are then given the opportunity to move on to the hostel/rehabilitation accommodation attached where they can stay and receive support and rehabilitation for their alcohol problem.

Are there any restrictions to enlargement of the project ( i.e. number of partners)

None

Benefits projected from the project

Persons suffering from consuming too much alcohol come to the attention of both the police and accident and emergency staff thus diverting them from other tasks. The monitoring of such persons, whether it is by police or hospital staff, is resource intensive when studies have shown other more appropriate means of care. By introducing a place of safety for this client group we would free up resources for both police and accident & emergency staff.

Local research has shown that more than 50% of the people detected for being drunk & incapable were repeat offenders. The place of safety would ensure that appropriate support and rehabilitation is offered to resolve their alcohol problem.

The costs provided are based on full staffing costs in respect of police and health service

Estimated financial projections

Total

2004/5

2005/6

2006/7

2007/8

Overall projected costs

_ _ _ _ _ _

£2,100,000

£700,000

£750,000

Estimated projected benefits

_ _ _ _ _ _

£450,000 (exc capital)

£463,500

£480,000

Is a pilot required - see guidance notes

No

Additionally: why is EG funding required

To contribute to initial setting up costs of the designated place and for continually running costs required of this project.

Does this project complementary in anyway to other EG work

No

Is "stage 2 development funding" requested

Yes

Page updated: Monday, July 4, 2005