The Treatment Program

Francis House provides a primary and secondary treatment program for up to 18 people of either sex, between 18 and 64 years of age with a past or present addiction to drugs and / or alcohol. New clients maybe asked to share a bedroom. We aim to meet a clients needs, however we do not have the facilities for severely disabled people. We may not be able to meet the needs of some faiths as we have only one kitchen. However we are happy to discuss meeting various physical, spiritual and dietary needs on an assessment to see if our organisation can meet your needs.

At Francis House, we have been running our unique primary and secondary programme for six years. This programme consists of two stages.

First Stage

This stage of treatment last for 12 weeks, it deals with the problems of drug and alcohol dependence. We do a medical, psychological and social assessment and from these an individual care plan is developed, taking into account the individual clients needs.

It is our aim to get all clients to take an active role in treatment as quickly as possible so that the maximum benefit is gained in a relatively short space of time. Support comes from a diverse and friendly approachable treatment team, which relies on researched and proven methods of treatment. Primary treatment is especially about containment as well as giving new information. This method is utilised through out the treatment provided at Francis House. On completion of primary treatment a further treatment plan is developed, with the co-operation of the client and other relevant stakeholders.

Second Stage

This is also a 12-week programme. Here the clients learn to utilise and practice the in-house life-skill training program as well as relapse prevention techniques. Life-skills training includes such things as communication skills, assertiveness training, anger and anxiety management and family therapy, to name but a few. More responsibility is placed on clients to practice these coping skills in a safe and contained setting. In addition clients are introduced to local further education and self-help groups, they are encouraged to attend meetings and integrate more fully within the local support networks as well as get involved in the community through voluntary work.

Intended Service Users and Range of Needs

Francis House provides treatment program for up to 18 people who primary problem is either drugs or alcohol. We will always try to accommodate people with secondary needs as well, such as physical disabilities, however the limitations of our premises means this has to be addressed on a case by case basis in discussion with a potential service user. This is not a home which provides nursing care.

Attendance at Group Activities

You will be expected to attend all group activities. To obtain the full benefit of treatment you need to attend all group activities.

Interventions and Supervision

All interventions used are based on three specific models, Cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational enhancement, and twelve-step facilitation, these are used as brief interventions through out the treatment period based on the service users stage in treatment/recovery, which is regularly assessed through regular review and clinical supervision to monitor individual outcome and effect.

Care Planning Approach

Whilst you are in treatment you will have a focal counsellor. With your counsellor you will be dealing with your assessed needs using a care plan. This will help to monitor you goals, difficulties and achievements. You and your counsellor will review this at regular intervals. Each time a new care plan is devised by you and your counsellor it is a requirement that you sign it to show that you are in agreement with it.

Urine Samples

Any client maybe asked for a urine sample during treatment, if there is a real suspicion that someone has used whilst in treatment. A failure to provide a sample in this situation may result in a client being discharged. For clients on DTTO (Drug Testing Treatment Orders) there will be regular urine sampling, which is a condition of the order. The frequency of these will depend on the court order. These may need to be supervised, which involves a staff member being present whilst the sample is being produced.

Criminal Justice Limitation System

For clients on the above system, there are certain physical restrictions. Generally there will be a curfew time, by which time the client must be in the building. There are also some rooms which are out of range of clients on the system, these will be shown to you on assessment or admission.

Going out

Whilst in the first part of treatment, clients are not allowed to go out alone. Clients need to either be with a staff member, a volunteer, a befriender, a representative from another organisation, such as a local place of worship, a self-help group or with a group of clients. Client groups often go out for walks together, if you go on a walk with a large group of people it is your responsibility to keep up with the group, and return home with the group.

If it is felt by the staff team that you are particularly vulnerable, or unable to undertake an activity on a particular occasion, you may be excluded from the activity in the interest of your safety. This decision will be based on a risk assessment and will be explained at the time.

Your opportunity to get involved

Each week there is a community meeting, where clients can air any general problems they are experiencing in the house or with the service. Each month a Trustee will come to visit. They endeavour to speak to each client wherever possible. Please feel free to speak to a trustee on any matter relating to the service. Every three months an anonymous client survey questionnaire is given out. This is to give each client the opportunity to give us feedback anonymously on any aspect of the service we provide.