A: We believe that a client needs and deserves as much support as possible, we work collaboratively to assist in giving them a combined service. Our care branches the gap where in prison and out of prison drugs services cannot and are with our clients through the process giving a continuity on their contact person both from in prison and out of prison
A: There are no other ‘Expert Witnesses on Addiction’ and we are therefore paid the standard rate for “Drugs Worker”. I am sure if you reply with this answer the LAA will approve the funding and will not raise the issue again.
A: Our services are “free” to the client in the same way that yours are: as long as the client qualifies for legal aid the LAA will pay the bill.
A: We work alongside Probation, both Prison Offender Managers and Community Offender Managers to provide a level of help and support which they simply don’t have the resources to provide.
A: In every case, NC work has been funded by the LAA and no funding application has ever been rejected. Occasionally a new lawyer will be asked for a second quotation but, when the LAA is told that we are the only recognised “Expert Witnesses on Addiction”, the funding has always been confirmed. The category for the application is ‘Drugs Worker’.
A: We currently work with over 30 law firms and many with multiple lawyers within the firm.
A: The client directly, family members, solicitors, drugs and alcohol services, OMU, please click
here to refer.
A: Ideally we require a minimum of 3 months ahead of a Parole date to work with the client in custody to produce a full and detailed assessment and report. We are on a case-by-case basis able to assist on short notice, but we will provide a shorter less detailed report in these situations. Our post-release support will remain the same in both situations.
