Substance Abuse and other Dependencies, 2019

L.N. 340 of 2019

SOCIAL CARE STANDARDS AUTHORITY ACT

(CAP. 582)

Social Regulatory Standards for Outreach and Community-Based

Services offered to Individuals with Problems Related to

Substance Abuse and other Dependencies, 2019

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by article 30(5) of the

Social Care Standards Authority Act, the Minister for the Family,

Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, has made the following

regulations:-

The title of these regulations is the Social Regulatory

Standards for Outreach and Community-Based Services offered to

Individuals with Problems Related to Substance Abuse and other

Dependencies 2019.

(Regulation 2)

Standard 1: Identification of needs and support interventions

Standard Statement

A holistic, individualised assessment is undertaken so that needs,

goals and individual aspirations are identified.

Quality Indicators

1. Individuals are able to identify and discuss aspects of their

life they feel they need to be assisted in and staff should

give the necessary support.

2. All individuals are entitled to any information that they

may find relevant to them and this should be given in a

complete, timely and unconditional manner.

Standard 2: Exercising Rights in a

Therapeutic and Empowering Environment

Standard Statement

Individuals are treated with respect and are ensured a holistic and

dignified approach to care. The service provider encourages

individuals’ autonomy in decisions pertaining to the care

provided.

Quality Indicator

1. The service provider and all staff respect the dignity, rights

and individuality of all persons and help them realise their

potential.

Standard 3: Safeguarding the individuals’ safety and security

Standard Statement

The physical, emotional and mental well-being and safety of the

individuals shall be safeguarded at all times.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider promotes systems that ensure overall

safety and security of all staff and individuals availing of

the service.

2. The service provider responds in an effective and timely

manner whenever the individuals or their representative,

express concerns or submit a complaint.

Standard 4: Promoting an effective system for the safekeeping of

documentation and information dissemination

Standard Statement

The service provider abides with data protection measures when

it comes to using, processing, retaining and disseminating

confidential information about individuals availing of the

service.

Quality Indicator

1. The service provider ensures safe keeping and sharing of

information pertaining to the individuals in line with

respective laws and regulations.

Standard 5: Establishing and maintaining external relations

Standard Statement

The service provider shall ensure comprehensiveness and

continuity of care by being proactive towards maintaining

positive collaborative relationships with persons close to the

individuals as well as different professionals who can provide the

necessary care.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider communicates with significant

persons close to the individuals and retains such contact if

it is in the best interest of the same individuals.

2. The service provider collaborates with third parties

including professionals and support bodies so as to

enhance the therapeutic experience of the individuals

availing of the service.

Standard 6: Service Quality Management

Standard Statement

The management and staff are accountable to deliver quality

support and care in the most respectful and transparent manner.

Quality Indicators

1. The service provider ensures professional and ethical

practice that is safe and appropriate to the emerging needs

of the individuals availing of the service.

2. The service provider implements transparent recruitment

strategies and plans for the continuous development of its

staff.

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These regulations by means of the Schedule, elevate the

Social Regulatory Standards for Outreach and Community-Based

Services offered to Individuals with Problems Related to Substance

Abuse and other Dependencies, to the status of subsidiary legislation

under the Social Care Standards Authority Act .

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

"Agency" means the entity providing a service;

"Authority" means Social Care Standards Authority, as

established by virtue of article 5 of the Social Care Standards

Authority Act;

"competent person" means a person who has the

appropriate theoretical and/or practical knowledge and/or

experience which render him/her capable and/or authorised to

undertake specific activities, in line with national legislation,

standards or directives issued by the applicable authorities;

"holistic assessment" means the process in which staff

identifies the needs and aspirations of the individuals in relation

to their health, personal, emotional, spiritual and psychological

care, protection and social networking, family support and what

services should be delivered to satisfy these needs and

aspirations;

"independent representative" means a person who is

independent from any aspect of the service and from any agency

involved in the provision of service, working in the name of the

person availing of the service or in his/her interest. The

representative carries out such work after having been formally

appointed to do so by the individual in whose name the

representative is acting or (if the individual is not in a position to

do so) as stipulated by law;

"individuals" means persons having problems related to

substance abuse and/or other dependencies who seek assistance

and support from a service provider offering therapeutic and

support services on this regard.

"key worker" means a worker responsible for co-ordinating

the individuals’ action plan;

"management" means a person or persons who act on

behalf of the service provider to provide leadership to staff and

to oversee and control the proper functioning of the services

offered to individuals with problems related to substance abuse

and/or other dependencies;

"outreach and community-based services" means services

which are developed with the aim of reaching out to as many

people as possible so as to have a better understanding of the

constantly changing needs of the population. Ultimately, the

most appropriate support interventions are delivered through a

number of specialised services;

"performance indicator" means an active descriptor of what

service providers need to do to ensure service outputs that

support the quality indicators.

"policies and procedures" means documents released by

management that regulate how the service should operate;

"quality indicator" means a statement that sets out the

requirements to achieve compliance with a standard;

"service provider" means a person who, or organisation that

provides support through a range of services to individuals who

are seeking help for their problems related to substance abuse

and/or other dependencies;

"staff" means a person engaged by the service provider

wherein one of the person’s responsibilities is to provide

individual support and care, irrespective of whether or how the

person is compensated.