Structured Day Programmes

Quick links

eligibility criteria

procedural steps

 

What is a Structured Day Programme?

‘Structured Day Programmes provide intensive community-based support, treatment and rehabilitation. It should offer clear programmes of defined activities for a fixed period of time with specified attendance criteria - usually 3 days a week.’ (NTA: Models of care for the treatment of drug misusers)

What is involved ?

Once a need has been identified for structured day programmes as part of the care planning process, the client and keyworker agree an individual timetable from the activities available. The areas a structured day programme can cover are varied and include education, like skills, social skills, personal development, complimentary therapies, community management, vocation and physical health. The central aim is to enable clients to develop the skills and resources necessary to maximise changes to substance use.

There is information about what is available in each area on the following pages, which includes a mixture of groups and individual interventions available at drug agencies, and activities available in the wider community. If a specific activity is not available in your local area the client may want to consider travelling to another part of the county.

It is anticipated that the length of the programme will be at least six weeks, with 12 weeks being a more likely length of time, although longer programmes will be considered. The amount of time the client commits to the programme will vary, but the minimum is 2 defined activities a week.

Any client who feels they may be interested in this project should contact their key worker. Their key worker will then assess the client’s suitability based on the eligibility criteria.

What is the process for getting involved?

The client and keyworker decide what interventions are needed based on their care plan. The client in collaboration with their keyworker chooses which activities they would like to attend from the links on this website. A downloadable timetable is available which the client and their keyworker can complete together. A referral form then needs to be completed where funding is required and sent to the DAAT for approval. Arrangements can then be made and the client starts the programme. All travel and childcare costs for the duration of the programme will be paid for as well as the costs of the activities themselves.

A list of the procedural steps to follow is here.

Once the client has completed the programme, a feedback questionnaire will be sent out, allowing the client to let the DAAT know what they thought of the programme and whether they got anything out of it. There may also be an option for the client to continue for a further period, if they are fully engaged in the programme and wish to continue. An individual exit strategy should be devised in conjunction with the client’s key worker, but it is hoped that the client may be in the position to refer to Progress2Work or Job Centre Plus once they complete their period of engagement.

To find out more information on SDP activities in your area click here