We are opening doors…
… to early intervention
… to young people with complex needs
… to young people with social workers
… to young people in the criminal justice system
Opening Doors… to Early Intervention
This part of the service is the first point of referral for most young people who need extra support because of their drug and alcohol use. It is a targeted young people‘s service that works with people aged 18 and under who use, or are thinking of using, drugs and alcohol.
The team is made up of workers from BDP, HAWKS, ARA and Bristol Youth Service. They aim to support young people at the very earliest opportunity, in order to prevent problems from occurring. The workers usually see the young people for between 1 and 6 face to face sessions. 
They make sure that they have accurate information and advice about any substance that they are using. They also help them to think about how they can make positive changes to their drug and alcohol use, including cutting down and stopping, so that risks and dangers are reduced.
If a young person is involved in heavy drug and alcohol use or is experiencing lots of problems connected to this, the Early Intervention worker will usually arrange for them to see a colleague from the Young People’s Substance Misuse Treatment service or Drugs and Young People’s Project instead.
Anyone can refer young people to this service. This includes parents and carers, other professionals, or young people themselves who would like some advice and support.
This service works mainly in Bristol secondary schools and most young people will be seen in a confidential space in school. People who do not attend school or who go to a school outside of Bristol will be seen in another confidential space.
Referral Information:
Early Intervention Service
For young people living in North or East Central Bristol contact
BDP (Bristol Drugs Project) on 0117 9876008
For young people living in South Bristol contact
HAWKS (Hartcliffe and Withywood Kick Start) on 0117 9642859
Opening Doors… to young people with complex needs
This part of the service is involved in the assessment and treatment of young people and their families who present with multiple complex needs, including mental health and substance misuse difficulties.
The service is situated in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services within the North Bristol NHS Trust and is a stand alone unit for young people’s drug and alcohol treatment.
The service currently provides specialist substance misuse services to young people under the age of 18 years living in 
Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Referrals are through targeted young people services, early intervention services, GPs, Children & Young People’s Services and the Youth Offending Teams. A member of the team will arrange to see the young person referred, ideally in the company of the referring worker.
The service delivers a mixture of office-based sessions and outreach sessions. Here, the young people can be seen in their places of education, GP surgeries, and local agencies offices as well as at home, once a risk assessment has taken place. Working with these groups of young people requires intensive reviews, close liaison with a range of agencies, with families if available and close supervision of substitute prescribing if required.
Referral Information:
Young People’s Substance Misuse Treatment Service
Telephone number: 0117 3425729
Email address: bernadette.chinnock@nbt.nhs.uk
Opening Doors… to young people with social workers
This part of the service works directly with children and young people affected by substance misuse by encouraging resilience, promoting safety and offering emotional support. It is a specialist young people’s service that works with young people aged under 18 who have an allocated social worker.
This service is a citywide service with 2 main parts.
The ‘At Risk’ part of the project works with young people whose drug or alcohol use is causing them, or their families, problems. Following a referral and an initial meeting each young person is allocated one of the project’s workers. Together they will develop an individual plan, which will include
identifying areas for change and setting goals. The goals set vary from person to person but could include reducing or stopping use of a drug or alcohol, taking fewer risks, joining a gym, exploring anger, learning to DJ etc. Work towards these goals takes place in one of our 3 centres, at young people’s homes and/or out in the community.
The ‘Hidden Harm’ part of the project works with children and young people who are affected by the drug or alcohol misuse of their parents or carers. This part of the project is currently available to young people aged between 5 and 14.
The service also provides an advice and information service for the adults working with or looking after these young people.
Referral Information:
The Drugs & Young People Project
Telephone number: 0117 3772997
Email address: cally.hargrave@bristol.gov.uk
Opening Doors… to young people in the criminal justice system
This part of the service works with young people aged 10 years to 18 years who are in the Criminal Justice system and have been to a Referral Order Panel or a Youth Court.
We aim to work alongside young people, their families/carers and other professionals, involving them fully in any planning or decision making. This service will work with young people at whatever level of intensity they need; if we cannot meet their needs we will offer consultation and signposting to other appropriate agencies . A team of specialist drug and mental health 
workers will carry out this work including initial assessments. Support to young people leaving custody will be offered, especially around suitable housing. The ultimate aim of the team is to address drug, alcohol and mental health difficulties that can put young people at greater risk of further offending.
Referral information:
Bristol Youth Offending Team
Referrals are from professionals such as a young person’s Youth Offending Team workers or case workers in prisons or secure units.
Telephone number: 0117 9036480
Email address: angela.pinder@bristol.gov.uk
