Bournemouth Assessment Team

If you live in Bournemouth and would like to access help and support for your substance misuse, the Bournemouth Assessment Team (BAT) is the service you need to contact to access structured treatment.

FAQs:

Who are the BAT?

The BAT are a team of individuals who carry out assessments on service users who are dependant on substances, that require access to structured and/or residential treatment.

How do I access the BAT?

There are 2 ways to access the BAT now:

1. There is now a drop-in held Monday - Friday between 2 - 4pm. At this session you will see an assessor.

2. Referral through a GP or other services are still valid.

The BAT drop-in sessions are held at the following address:

43 Oxford Road

Bournemouth

BH8 8EY

- For directions or help finding the building please call:

01202 294888 

Why do I need assessment?

The BAT will need to assess you to determine what your current treament needs are. They will complete a comprehensive assessment with you and will ask about your current substance misuse and any other issues including:

                      - Accommoation status

                      - Parental status           

                      - Employment status    

                      - Health information    

Why do they need this information?

Whilst the BAT will assess you for your treatment need, it is important that all this other information is collected to help the assessor put together the most appropriate package of care.

How long will the assessment take?

It should take no longer than an hour.

If I have been asssessed previously by the BAT, do I need to have another assessment?

Yes, you will need to be assessed by the BAT whether this is your first attempt at treatment or if you have been engaged with treatment previously. This is to ensure that any decisions made relating to your care are based  on your current treatment needs.

What happens next?

After the assessment your assessor will put together a care plan for you that is appropriate for your treatment needs. They will then discuss with you the agencies that they will refer you to and will give you guidance about how quickly you are able to begin your package of care.

Will I always get the treatment that I want?

The BAT will ask what treatment you feel would be of benefit to you and why you feel this way. Your decision may be based on previous treatment attemps and you are welcome to share this information with the assessor. Whilst we will take this into account when putting a package of care together, please remember that any placement(s) will be made depending on your treatment need. If your treatment needs have changed since you last accessed treatment, you may be directed to a different agency that you have not previously engaged with.

What if I am unhappy with the package of care put together for me?

Once you have been assesed you will be assigned to a care co-ordinator who will oversee your treatment journey. This may be the individual that assessed you or it could be another member of the team. If you are unhappy with the package of care, please speak to your care co-ordinator. They will listen to why you are unhappy and either change your care plan accordingly or explain why this plan has been put together for you. As your care plan will depend on your treatment need, you may feel it is different to what you feel you would like. If you are still unhappy with the decisions made about your treatment or any other part of your care package please speak to BADSUF. They are the Bournemouth Alcohol and Drug Service Users Forum who can provide an advocay worker that will meet with you and your assessor to discuss any problems / issues. They will offer help, advice and work with you to try and resolve any conflicts.

Can I access any services without accessing the BAT?

The BAT is the gateway into structured treatment and long-term support. You may still access services such as the Neeedle Exchange, support groups within EDAS, and one-to-one support with ther Brief Intervention Team (Alcohol) without going through the BAT.