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Support for professionals

Support for professionals

If you work with individuals affected by drug or alcohol use, you can access information, referral guidance, training and specialist resources across Derbyshire. Explore the options below to find the support relevant to your role.

If you need urgent support, including help in a crisis, see our Useful contacts page.

Making an Adult Referral

The Referral Hub is the Single Point of Contact for the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership. It provides a friendly, confidential and non-judgemental service for adults in Derbyshire who need support with drug or alcohol use.

What the Referral Hub Offers

  • Information, advice and guidance on alcohol, drugs and the full range of support available.
  • Answers to referral queries from professionals, families and individuals.
  • Signposting to wider services, including family support and recovery activities.

Support for all

  • Professionals can refer people they support, but individuals and family members can also self-refer if they are affected by drug or alcohol use.
Professional referral

Making a Referral as a Professional

  • Professionals can submit referrals using the Referral Form available on our website.
  • Third-party referrals require consent from the person being referred.
  • Referrals can also be made by phone or email, and the team can arrange a convenient time to call you back.

What Happens After a Referral

  • The Hub acknowledges all referrals and arranges an initial conversation with the client or referrer.
  • An assessment appointment is offered within approximately three weeks, at a location that suits the individual.
  • There is no expectation to stop using substances before the assessment. The aim is to understand needs and agree next steps.
Professional referral

Coming Soon! Substance Use Ambassador Programme

The Substance Use Ambassador Programme aims to build a network of trained professionals across Derbyshire who champion better support for people affected by drugs and alcohol.

Ambassadors receive enhanced training, CPD, tools and resources, and join a community of practice linking frontline staff, treatment services and lived experience voices.

Find out more

Further Resources

We support professionals with training and resources to build knowledge, skills, and capacity to help those affected by drugs and alcohol.

Free Training

Below you will find free training that aims to build knowledge, skills and confidence in supporting people affected by substance use:

Substance and Alcohol

Specialist training provider Derbyshire Addictions Advice Service (DAAS) provides of online and face to face training to build your competence and confidence to support adults affected by substance use

Substances and Young People

Live (CGL) provide a range of training including:

  1. Working with young people who use drugs
  2. Basic Drugs Awareness (Children & Young People)
  3. Current & Emerging Trends in Young People’s Substance

Substance Use and Community Safety

This free 2 hour webinar will enable you to explore what substance use is, its effects on community safety and support available for people within Derbyshire

National E-Learning

This is a bite-sized session to give health and care professionals an overview of alcohol

Professional CPD Opportunities

Below you will find opportunities to specialise in the field of addiction:

Society for the Study of Addiction

Advice and training for people who work and study in the field of addiction

Research and Funding

Funding and prizes that further the scientific understanding of addiction

Lived Experience Career Pathway

Find out about how to turn lived experience into a career!

BOOST E-Learning Programme

Best practice in Optimising Opioid Substitution Treatment

Hand-Picked Resources

Below you will find some resources that we’ve chosen to support you in providing support to people affected by substance use:

Alcohol scratch cards

Request a free supply of our engaging localised scratch cards can be requested, free of charge. Click to email stating the number needed and address

Specialist Support Summary Videos

Check out a video summary of the range of specialist treatment we provide in Derbyshire – Video You Tube playlist link

Local Drug Information System

The Local Drug Information System (LDIS) is a non-urgent reporting system providing a way to raise concerns about drugs so that action can be taken to keep people safe

Suicide Conversation Tool

This tool is designed to help non mental health professionals in organisations in Derbyshire respond to disclosures of suicidal thoughts

Professional Networks and Publications

Below you will find networks and publications you may wish to sign up to:

GOV UK - Drug Strategy

‘From harm to hope: A 10-year drugs plan to cut crime and save lives.’

GOV UK - Drug misuse and dependency

Public health – Health improvement ‘Drug misuse and dependency’ page. This provides access to a variety of resources in relation to guidance, regulation, news, research & statistics, policy, and consultations.

DS Daily

A daily drug and alcohol news service – Totally free to join.

DDN (Drink and Drugs News) Magazine

DDN (Drink and Drugs News) magazine is a UK publication in the field of drugs and alcohol.

Anti-Stigma Network

If you’re keen about ending stigma together, this is a great network to be part of.

Needing Data?

The list below includes helpful data sources (some of which provide information to Local Authority and/or district level) should you require local and national evidence in relation to substance use:

Derbyshire - Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Explores the important factors that shape the well-being of our community. Includes section on alcohol.

NDTMS (National Drug Treatment Monitoring System)

Reporting on adult and young people substance use specialist treatment (drugs and alcohol), with useful ‘ViewIt’ tools. Also has links to annual publications.

Fingertips - Public health profiles

Includes an ‘Alcohol Profile,’ and the ‘Public Health Outcomes Framework’ (substance use related indicators feature within the ‘Health Improvement’ section of the tool).

ONS (Office for National Statistics)

Datasets, publications, and articles on drug use, alcohol, and smoking that is associated with deaths and illnesses in Great Britain.