A wide range of health and social care front-line staff came together to learn more about drug treatment and recovery services in Knowsley at a showcase event held on Monday 8 July.
Organised in partnership by Knowsley Council and Change Grow Live (CGL), the event was attended by 112 professionals, including operational managers and practitioners, working across both children and young people’s services and adults’ services. There was a wide range of roles and organisations present including professionals from GP Practices, Social Work teams and Community Health Services.
Taking place at The Old School House, Huyton, the event was split into two sessions and provided attendees with the opportunity to find out more about the range of services on offer in the borough and improve collaborative relationships with Change Grow Live and its outreach teams.
A specialist officer from CGL showcased each part of the offer, followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion. Specialist staff, activities, merchandise, and equipment around the room were available for people to browse and take away. There was also an opportunity for practitioners to access liver screening. Some of the areas of focus included how CGL works with schools, the community outreach team and liver screening, detoxification and residential rehabilitation, screening tools, and the referral into treatment process.
The event aimed to increase professional curiosity, reduce stigma associated with access to treatment and recovery services and empower health and social care practitioners to confidently identify and refer residents into drug and alcohol services, including those who have never been in contact with services.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Health, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see so many committed health professionals coming together to share best practice and increase their knowledge on the drug treatment and recovery services available in the borough.
“As a Council we are committed to working with our partners, such as Change Grow Live, and health professionals working in the Knowsley to improve health outcomes for those accessing services. Events like this demonstrate the passion that everyone involved has for achieving this aim.”
Cllr Del Arnall, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “This was a really successful event and demonstrates the importance of professional development in ensuring that health professionals in the borough feel confident in identifying the need for support and referring vulnerable residents into recovery services.
“I would like to thank our partners Change Grow Live for their work.”
For more information on the service, including how to refer please visit: Integrated Recovery Service – Knowsley | Change Grow Live Referrals – Integrated Recovery Service – Knowsley (changegrowlive.org)