Nottinghamshire Council votes on funding for specialist social work

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE county councillors will meet today to seek approval for permanent funding of £55,000 for social workers to support people who suffer substance abuse.

The work is currently funded by the County Primary Care Trust. But the body is being disbanded, so councillors have drawn up their own plans to continue the service.

It will help drug and alcohol abusers get care which could range from help in the home to services in a community centre.

A county council report said: “It is important to have specialist social workers, working alongside partners in Recovery Centres, to ensure there is social care offer for people using these services.

“Having social workers with specialist knowledge managing requests for social care funding, will be beneficial in managing demand and ensuring proper governance is in place.

“The additional funding being requested will ensure continuation of these posts.”

The report said the money would come from savings in the residential care budget.

Nottinghamshire County Council says is estimated that net savings by changing the approach to meeting social care needs – with less emphasis on residential care – in this area would be £96,000.