Young People's Substance Misuse Service, Lewisham

Who we are

Lewisham YPSMS provides specialist treatment for young people aged 10-21 in Lewisham who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing problematic drug or alcohol use.

We also offer support services to the parents, carers and significant others of the young person.

Lewisham Young People’s Substance Misuse Service

A tier 2 and 3 service, commissioned in July 2010, working with 10-21 year olds across the borough, primarily with an outreach focus. The overarching aims of the service are to provide specialist treatment to young people at risk or currently experiencing problematic substance misuse. To increase numbers into treatment and to ensure the sustain treatment until a planned exit is agreed. Much of our work is carried out in satellite sites around the borough including schools, colleges, youth centres, YOS, housing providers and at clients’ homes. Care plans are individually tailored to the young persons needs and transitional arrangements are planned in advance with those who are better suited to adult services or who are currently 21 years old. We have a specialist worker who is based primarily within the Leaving Care Team, but also working closely with the Looked After Children’s Team

We also provide services to young people affected by someone else use as well as a comprehensive Parent Support service (PSS) that caters for parents/carers and significant other of young people who are using substances. The PSS consists of an advice and support line, 1:1 counselling and a parents/carer/significant other support group for parents to be able to access peer support. We also co-facilitate Triple P courses with the local FIP/IIIP teams to compliment the work.

We have just won some funding to add an additional post/service to the team for a 6 month fixed term period. This role will focus purely on vulnerable young women aged 13-19, who are at risk of exploitation and are using substances. This is an exciting new service.