State of the Sector
State of the Sector 2017: Beyond the Tipping Point (pdf)
This is the fourth report of the State of the Sector series about the drug and alcohol treatment sector in England. For 2017 we have taken a more narrative approach, focusing primarily on interviewing key stakeholders and highlighting their experiences in the sector, current concerns and thoughts for the future.
We have found that our treatment system has moved beyond the tipping point identified last year into worrying territory.
Our key findings:
Download: State of the Sector 2017: Beyond the Tipping Point (pdf).
This is the fourth report of the State of the Sector series about the drug and alcohol treatment sector in England. For 2017 we have taken a more narrative approach, focusing primarily on interviewing key stakeholders and highlighting their experiences in the sector, current concerns and thoughts for the future.
We have found that our treatment system has moved beyond the tipping point identified last year into worrying territory.
Our key findings:
- The potential of the sector to absorb funding cuts through efficiency savings has been exhausted
- Service capacity continues to be eroded
- Only central government intervention will protect the sector from further cuts
- Service models must continue to evolve
- Commissioning capacity and practices remain of great interest and concern
Download: State of the Sector 2017: Beyond the Tipping Point (pdf).
Year 3 - State of the Sector 2015 (pdf)
176 respondents took part in the community and residential questionnaire with a further 43 respondents from the prison services.
The reports found:
Download State of the Sector 2015 (pdf), its executive summary (pdf) and State of the Sector 2015 - Prisons (pdf).
176 respondents took part in the community and residential questionnaire with a further 43 respondents from the prison services.
The reports found:
- A continued trend of reduced funding reported by both community and residential services across the last three years
- Funding changes reported as having a significant negative impact on the delivery of core services, workforce development and case-loads
- Dual diagnosis remains a key challenge, with links with mental health services varying
- Passion, innovation and resilience exist in many services across the country
- Increased use of novel psychoactive substance (NPS) in prisons
Download State of the Sector 2015 (pdf), its executive summary (pdf) and State of the Sector 2015 - Prisons (pdf).
Year 2 - State of the Sector 2014 (pdf)
168 respondents took part in the community and residential questionnaire with a further 21 respondents from prison services.
Key findings from the 2014-15 report included:
Year 1 - State of the Sector 2013 (pdf)
167 agencies participated in the online questionnaire.
Key findings included:
168 respondents took part in the community and residential questionnaire with a further 21 respondents from prison services.
Key findings from the 2014-15 report included:
- 53 per cent of respondents reported a reduction in frontline staff and 40 per cent a reduction in back office staff and managers;
- 62 per cent reported an increase in the involvement of volunteer recovery champions and 47 per cent an increase in the use of other volunteers;
- Over half (54 per cent) of community services had been through tendering or contract renegotiation since September 2013; just under half (49 per cent) were expecting this to happen between September 2014 and September 2015;
- The change of funding experienced by respondents was an average net reduction of 16.5 per cent although this masks volatility, with substantial increases and decreases reported;
- Respondents reported that funding changes had a negative effect on service delivery overall, with core services, outreach, education, training and employment support and health services all showing a net deterioration.
Year 1 - State of the Sector 2013 (pdf)
167 agencies participated in the online questionnaire.
Key findings included:
- 35% of respondents reported decreased funding, compared to 20% reporting an increase. Around a third to a quarter of services reporting increased or decreased funding had experienced this change as a result of gaining or losing services through retendering and recommissioning. This is not evidence of widespread disinvestment, but key stakeholders including Public Health England should remain alert to this risk.
- Almost half of participating services reported a decrease in front line staff and six out of ten reported an increase in the use of volunteers. Increased opportunities for volunteering, including as a means to support volunteers closer to paid work is a positive, but the sector must retain the expertise and professionalism it has worked hard to acquire.
- Engagement with two crucial new structures – Health and Wellbeing Boards and Police and Crime Commissioners is mixed. Where it is happening, it appears to be meaningful and constructive, but it is patchy.
