How can we help

The post of Specialist Drugs Worker has been in place at Genesis  since January 2004. This post forms part of the Safer Leeds response to street prostitution in partnership with the Prostitution Intervention Workers working within the Enhanced Drug Arrest Referral Scheme. The post provides an invaluable resource to the team and further enhances the service that we can deliver.

Our response includes:

1.Early Intervention - regular access to this client group and potential for early intervention via outreach van leading to assessment and referral to appropriate treatment agency.

2.Structured support – we will continue to maintain contact and advocate for women during the referral process and whilst in treatment. Women will be able to access our in-house services, receive continued one to one support and be supported in identifying and accessing structured programmes to meet their individual needs.

3.Clinical Interventions – Safer Leeds has been working to better understand and improve the treatment options within the city for street based sex workers. One of the main barriers to our service has been the lack of available and immediate treatment options for the women. We are now able to access immediate treatment for our women via 4 routes – the local Community Drug Treatment Services, the NFA Healthcare Team, the Rapid Access Prescribing Service within the DIP and the Leeds Addiction Unit.

4.Social Inclusion – Access to colleges, work experience, employment opportunities and help with social needs including specialist housing support in partnership with Shelter, health initiatives, access to benefits worker in partnership with Ebor Gardens Advice Centre and many more.