YDAP is a specialist substance misuse service that provides targeted intervention and treatment. Young people requiring targeted intervention or treatment generally will frequently use alcohol/substances and/or have a regular pattern of use. It is also likely that the young person’s use of alcohol/substances has the potential to place the young person in significant danger (such as hospital admission) or is having an impact on other areas of their life such as family, education, close relationships, physical and mental health.

If you wish to make a referral you are welcome to ring to discuss with us before you make the referral. This could include us talking to the young person about our service. If the young person is happy just to go ahead with a referral please include as much information as possible i.e. , What is it about the young person’s use that is causing concern? Consider frequency of use, levels of use, risk factors compounding use or arising out of use, is it linked to his/her behaviour, family dynamics and the young person’s view on what is worrying them and what they want from a service. We also know that certain young people who have experienced trauma or who have additional needs/ are over – represented in certain groups are more likely to be at risk of problematic substance misuse (disproportionality) therefore we ask if you have the information to identify if the young person you are working with has certain characteristics or if there is any additional information we should be sensitive to.

If at this stage the young person does not need or is not waning a specialist service, then it is still useful to provide some information education/advice about the risks involved and how to keep themselves as safe as possible. We are happy to discuss individual cases and to provide support on how universal services can best provide this.

If you are unsure, please contact us by email or phone to support you in making this decision.