Safeguarding Vulnerable Dependent Drinkers Training

This course delivers the information and ideas in the Alcohol Change UK (ACUK) briefing Safeguarding Vulnerable Dependent Drinkers.

The aim of that document and of this course is to:

• Encourage and enable professionals in England to use legal frameworks to manage and protect chronic dependent drinkers.

Its focus is on how to make most effective use of the three main legal powers which can protect vulnerable dependent drinkers: the Care Act 2014 in England or Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.

It also focuses on a handful of other relevant powers such as anti-social behaviour powers. In addition, it emphasises the importance of a process framework that will enable the powers to be used most effectively.

It is important to emphasise that using these powers is, in most cases, the last resort. These powers should not replace good community work as set out in ACUK’s Blue Light project manual.

Learning objectives

By the end of the training course, participants will be able to:

• Identify chronic dependent drinkers who require the protection and support of key legal powers

• Understand how the Care Act the Care Act or Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act apply to this group

• Understand how the Mental Capacity Act applies

• Understand how the Mental Health Act applies

• Understand what interventions flow from action under these powers

• Understand what helps makes these powers work to their best effect

Who is this course for?

The course is appropriate for staff in all Portsmouth services who work with people who are at risk of alcohol related harm. This will include anyone working in public facing roles in health, social care, criminal justice, community safety, housing, homelessness, domestic abuse or other welfare roles.

Trainer: Mike Ward, Alcohol Change UK