Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval for the allocation of the ring?fenced substance use element of the Public Health Grant (issued by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities) for the period 2026–2029, enabling the continuation and enhancement of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services in Gloucestershire in line with national grant conditions and local priorities.

Decision

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson sought Cabinet approval for the allocation of the ringfenced substance use element of the Public Health Grant (issued by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities) for the period 2026–2029, enabling the continuation and enhancement of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services in Gloucestershire in line with national grant conditions and local priorities.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1               Approve a modification to the council’s existing contract for the supply of drug and alcohol treatment services with the supplier known as Via Care Ltd for the purpose of providing the following additional resources and services in addition to those already provided under the contract:

a)    The provision, during financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29, of a range of evidence-based interventions described below in paragraph 5 of this report.

b)     The provision, during the period 1st October 2026 to 31st March 2029, of a specialist nursing post, and a recovery worker post, together with the provision of associated medication and rehabilitation services for people who are rough sleeping.

1. Approve the allocation of £162,440 from the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) element of the Public Health Grant provided by the Department of Health and Social Care to the council by means of an internal transfer from the Public Health Grant for the purposes of funding the cost of the council’s Youth Support Service to continue the employment of an additional staff member during financial years 2026/27 – 2028/29 to expand access to young people’s substance misuse services by increasing capacity in the service.
2. Approve the allocation of £495,751 from the Independent Placement Support (IPS) grant provided by the Department of Health and Social Care to the council by means of an internal transfer from the Public Health Grant to the Gloucestershire County Council Employment and Skills Hub for the purpose of funding the cost of supporting individuals with substance use disorders to secure and sustain employment during financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29.