Residential drug treatment services: good practice in the field.

This report highlights good practice in commissioning and providing effective Tier 4 services. It is based on interviews with local drug partnerships and treatment services that performed well in the 2007-08 service review on Tier 4, carried out by the NTA and Healthcare Commission. Good practice: the key points: Elements for commissioning effective Tier 4 treatment: â?¢ Good partnership working, with close collaboration between drugs partnerships, drugs services, and local social services community care departments at a strategic and operational level â?¢ Established routes into and out of treatment, with clear arrangements for preparing people for treatment, and for aftercare and reintegration â?¢ Regular contract reviews with providers â?¢ Good use of relevant data and other feedback to inform decisions on commissioning services. Elements for providing effective Tier 4 treatment: â?¢ Clearly established and effective exit strategies for clients when they leave treatment, including links with housing, education, training and other ongoing support â?¢ Ongoing risk assessment and clear policies to keep clients safe following unplanned discharge and to reduce the risk of overdose â?¢ Good structures for managing staff and helping them to deliver treatment, including clear supervision arrangements and meeting their training needs.