Case studies
Back to previous pageYasmin House - Bournemouth
DAT(s): Bournemouth.
Region(s): South West.
Last updated: 04 February 2004
Summary: Drug treatment programme for vulnerable women.
The need
The Dorset Working Women’s Project (DWWP) conducted a needs assessment of working women in Bournemouth. They identified the need for drug services that are accessible to working women. DWWP estimate that there are about 90 regular sex workers in Bournemouth.
This information was provided at the DAT’s Treatment Drug Reference Group, where local treatment providers meet to discuss practice quarterly.
The idea
Yasmin House is a project for vulnerable women. The majority of vulnerable women accessing the service are sex workers who use drugs.
The project provides:
- detoxification;
- therapeutic work;
- individual care pathways;
- four bedrooms (and assistance in finding accommodation after treatment).
The idea is to identify each client’s individual needs, and enable that person to develop the life skills to progress to a lifestyle where they are no longer in a vulnerable situation.
How it works
Yasmin House is operated by the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, who won a tender to provide this service. The DAT initiated the competitive tendering process through advertisements in the local press.
The service offers a 12-week programme for four women at a time. The four bedrooms provide secure, supported accommodation for the women. The first few weeks involve detoxification. Staff then identify clients’ needs and plan a care pathway for each woman. This care pathway extends beyond the initial 12-week programme, and may include referral to other services. For example, Yasmin House direct clients to the Domestic Violence Unit in Bournemouth where necessary.
Five members of staff provide 24-hour cover at the building. Night-time staff provide security. Day-time staff include a Senior Project Worker and two Project Workers. They organise:
- therapeutic work;
- one-on-one sessions;
- group work.
Yasmin House operates an open referral system. Partner agencies can direct women to its service but women can also refer themselves.
The DAT provided the initial funding for Yasmin House. DAT support has continued but the project is now primarily funded by Supporting People Initiative money.
Key Benefits
Yasmin House is easy to access because of the open referral system.
It also applies a flexible approach to treatment. This ensures each individual client’s needs are met. Women are not forced to remain at the house, so those present are choosing to remain involved in the service.
Comments
The project has been operating since November 2002.
The small number of beds available limits the number of women who can access the service at any one time.
There is a high turnover of clients at Yasmin House. Often, women will remain at the service for only a few days before leaving. However, women usually contact the service again soon afterwards intending to reaccess the service. Staff have identified the sudden change in lifestyle as the cause for the turnover rate. Some intervention work with clients prior to their arrival at Yasmin House would help clients to prepare for their time at the project.
For further information
Bournemouth DAT
David Howie
DAT Coordinator
Bournemouth Social Service
2nd Floor Oxford House
Oxford Road
Bournemouth
Tel: 01202 458947 Email: david.hosie@bournemouth.gov.uk
Community Support Team (CST)
Steve Pearson
CST Manager
Saint Swithen’s House
21 Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
BH1 3NS
Tel: 07966 808 845 Email: stevenpearson@bcha.org.uk
