StreetScene Addiction Recovery

Client rights, rules & responsiblities

These pages give you the basic information about your rights and the restrictions whilst in a StreetScene facility. Whilst you are in treatment some of your freedoms will need to be restricted, these are to help you with your recovery and to ensure that the environment is safe and for all those who live here. Please read the details carefully and ask any questions you might have.

Your Rights

You have a right to be treated with respect. You have a right to be treated as a unique individual, equal to everyone else in the unit.
You have a right to confidentiality. There is a separate confidentiality sheet for you to read and sign. All staff members are bound by the rules of confidentiality.
You have a right to be assigned a Key Worker. This person will work with you during your stay in the unit. If they are unavailable, you will be able to speak to other staff members, and if your key worker has a holiday during your stay they will arrange for someone else to act as key worker in their absence.
You have a right to see your file. If you wish to see your file at any time, please ask a staff member, who will arrange a convenient time for you to sit down with a staff member and look at your file, asking any questions you wish regarding it's contents. The file remains the property of StreetScene and will be destroyed after 5 years.
You have a right to medical attention. If during your stay you feel the need to see a doctor or dentist, the staff will contact the relevant surgery within one working day of being notified. A working day being Monday to Friday, this means if you ask a staff member for a dentist appointment on a Friday afternoon, they will have contacted the dentist by Monday afternoon, if you ask for an appointment on Tuesday morning, the staff will have contacted the surgery by Wednesday morning. The timing of the appointment itself is up to the Doctor or Dentist concerned, we do not have the ability to force the Doctor or Dentist to see you in preference to their other clients. If you need an emergency appointment, please inform the office immediately, and they will make alternative arrangements, for example taking you to Accident and Emergency.
You have a right to access your financial information. One day each week a member of the Administration team will be available to answer any questions you have about your finances, for example the amount of pocket money the Benefit Agency is paying you. If you want to talk to the Administration team, please inform the office so that an appointment can be made for you.
You have a right to access any money held for you. If you have money held for you in the office and you want to access it, please inform the office of the amount you need at least 48 hours before you need it, this is because, for security reason, we do not keep money in the units. We will ensure that your money is available to you when needed. If you are discharged or self discharge out of normal office hours the finance office will be closed, a cheque will be forwarded to you at an address of your choice as soon as the finance office is opened again.
You have the right to a drug and alcohol free environment. This does mean that there are rules regarding the conduct of everyone in this unit with regard to alcohol and drugs. We will endeavour to ensure that all people follow these rules and that action will be taken if these rules are broken.
You have a right to see our CSCI reports. Twice each year the National Care Standards Commission visits and reviews our services and premises. Each time they visit they produce a report. When this report is finalised a copy will be place in a file for you to read.

Expectations of the Community

While you are here within StreetScene this is your home. It is also the home of all the other people in treatment. We ask you to respect the community and its traditions by observing the rules and expectations at all times.

Obviously much of our conduct must be governed by the therapeutic purpose of the community but also by common sense standards of respect for ourselves and others. Tidiness and cleanliness is expected at all times as is consideration of and courtesy towards others in all our dealings, behaviours and manners.

We have written down certain rules and responsibilities but it would be going too far to write down specific expectations for every situation, which might arise. If you have any doubts at any time you can and should ask, IT IS BETTER TO ASK THAN ASSUME.

We believe that if we treat this unit and all its inhabitants including ourselves with respect it is a place in which recovery will flourish.

You will be asked to sign a copy of these rules in acknowledgement that you have read and agree to abide by these rules and responsibilities, you will have a copy to keep as a reminder.

Rules

The consumption of alcohol or any other drug usage either on or off the premises is forbidden, as is the taking of unauthorised medications. A breach of this rule may result in immediate self-discharge.
It is forbidden to make any attempt to purchase or acquire by any means, any form of alcohol or any other drug or unauthorised medication or substance. Anyone covering up or enabling such an attempt is also subject to discharge.
Any form of violence or threat of violence to other residents or staff is not acceptable, neither is the destruction of property.
No form of gambling is permitted, this includes National Lottery and scratch cards. All premises licensed for gambling re out of bounds. Gambling can be as addictive as alcohol and drugs. The purpose of treatment is to provide you with tools to bring your addiction into remission, not enable your addiction to grow in another area.
The forming of sexual or other special relationships is not permitted either in or out of the house. Close intimate relationships can cloud the issue of dealing with your feelings and problems.
Swearing and the use of insulting language and behaviour are not acceptable. Please respect yourself and the other members of the house.
Francis House has a no smoking policy in the building. This is for reasons of safety and health, reducing the likelihood of fire within the premises and the dangers of passive smoking.
No borrowing or lending of cash or valuables is allowed, as it can leave people feeling indebted to others, and reduce their effectiveness in the group.
Entering into a licensed premises for any reason is not allowed, and may result in discharge. In the early stages of recovery it is better not to place yourself in high-risk situations.
Each resident must respect and do everything to protect all other residents' confidentiality. In turn their own confidentiality will be maintained.
All residents must sign the book in the hall before leaving the building, so in the event of a fire no one will try and rescue people who are not in the building.
No resident is allowed in another residents' bedroom without prior permission. This is to protect peoples' privacy and personal belongings.
Residents are not permitted to steal from the charity. Any resident found trying to take charity property from the building without authority will be discharged and maybe liable for prosecution. This includes such things as duvets, bed linen, electrical items, food and cleaning products.
Any clients knowingly withholding monies paid to them by the DSS for their treatment at StreetScene will be discharged and maybe liable for prosecution. The amount the DSS will pay to you for your treatment will be shown in your financial contract. This forms part of the fees for treatment. As a charity we do not make a profit, the level of fees charged represent the cost of treatment, any shortfall can lead to a reduction of future services

Responsibilities

Each resident is responsible for attendance at all lectures, group therapy sessions, AA meetings, films, meals etc. The daily timetable should be adhered to punctually. If one session starts late and then ends late it can disrupt the whole day for all clients and staff.
Each resident is responsible for participating fully in group and for confronting fellow residents' irresponsible behaviour at all times. Working as a group requires the participation of all members, 3. Each resident is assigned a therapeutic duty and is expected to assume responsibility for performing this task. This will enable the whole house to be clean and tidy for the benefit of all.
Visits are by arrangement with the treatment staff. Visitors must not bring anything, which is unauthorised into the Centre, for example items containing alcohol or drugs, such as mouth wash and paracetamol. If in doubt please ask a member of staff.
Residents must read the Fire Instructions thoroughly, and make themselves aware of fire exits. There will also be fire drills and training, but your safety is also your responsibility.
A telephone is available for residents' use. Excessive use of the telephone could hinder progress in treatment and is unfair to other residents therefore telephone calls are restricted to 15 minutes per evening. No calls are permitted during the first week without prior permission, this is to allow people the time to settle in without distraction.
Reasonable daytime dress is expected. Slippers and dressing gowns must not be worn during treatment hours. It is through these things that we can begin to get our lives manageable again.
All valuables (including money, cheque books, credit cards, car keys) must be handed in for safe keeping. A receipt is given for all valuables handed in and they will be returned to you when you leave.
Residents leaving or being transferred must be responsible for taking all belongings with them. Any item not claimed after 2 weeks will be disposed of.
Fellow residents are responsible for welcoming and orientating new residents to the Centre.
The office's are out of bounds, except when you are with a member of staff.
The washing machines and dryers are used on a rota basis, it is requested that residents use their allotted time slots.

These rules and responsibilities are not negotiable and any breach of them will have consequences. It is important you are aware of this before you come to one of our units

Fire Training & Fire Drills

Every 6 weeks there is a full evacuation fire drill in Cornerways. It is vital that when you hear the fire bell you immediately make your way, by the fastest route to the car park at the front of the building. Please ensure you read the fire notices displayed around the building and familiarise yourself with all the escape routes. These fire drills and precautions are in place to try to ensure your safety in the event of a fire and your co-operation by dealing with the fire drill responsibly is required.