Hot Topics

Click to view

Recovery

Recovery is the goal of all substance misuse services, but the journey to recovery is not the same for everyone.  Turning Point's experience shows that treating each service user as an individual and addressing the reasons behind their substance misuse produces the best outcomes.

Turning Point believes that local areas should be obliged to provide a range of services for every stage of recovery. Turning Point also supports peer mentoring and volunteering as a key way of promoting recovery.

Personalisation

Turning Point supports personalisation across health and social care. All of our services are based on the principle that individuals should have control over creating their own support packages that best meet their needs. Whether people have a direct payment or a personal budget or not we support individuals to access services which are flexible and are focused on achieving greater independence.

Complex needs

Those with complex needs often have chaotic lives, and the current lack of integration and understanding amongst services mean people often fall through the gaps. To meet their needs there must be flexibility and innovation in the commissioning of services.

Currently GPs are lacking in specialist knowledge to deal with people with complex needs, and those not registered with a GP are at risk of becoming invisible.

Turning Point is the secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Group of Complex Needs and Dual Diagnosis.

APPG

Welfare reform

The huge challenges posed by welfare reform require sensitivity and deep understanding of the complex lives of the long term unemployed. The most vulnerable must be safeguarded and those searching for work must be supported in their access to employment.

Turning Point response to the Welfare Reform Bill

Social care reform

Turning Point believes that urgent reform of social care is needed to transform services and establish a sustainable funding system to meet people's future needs. To this end we support the Dilnot recommendations. Much of the dialogue has been centred around older people, however any future system must meet the unique needs of working age adults with a learning disability and mental health condition. In addition, it is important that we continue to push for greater integration for those with complex, multiple needs accessing social care services.

Public health (health & well-being boards)

Turning Point welcomes the moves to place the responsibility for public health back in the hands of local government and see it as an ideal opportunity to strengthen the integration of services.  However, the true needs of the population as a whole need to be understood so that relevant services can be created and delivered to help local people to stay healthy.

Dual-Diagnosis Handbook

Helping practitioners to plan, organise, and deliver services for people with co-existing mental health and substance use needs.

Download PDF now