GambleAware Updates Treatment Service
British charity GambleAware has published its new commissioning plans for the National Gambling Treatment Service. The grant-making charity carried out a strategic review of the service, which highlighted the growing and changing needs of those at risk of gambling related harm. The changes come amidst a cost of living crisis, which is expected to exacerbate the potential for risks further.
The new commissioning plans come amidst a cost of living crisis and ahead of the publication of the government’s gambling white paper. ©Alex Green/Pexels
Updated Commissioning Plans
Leading charity GambleAware has announced upcoming changes to help it meet the growing needs of those vulnerable to gambling harms. It has published its new commissioning plans for the National Gambling Treatment Service, following a strategic review process.
GambleAware is an independent, grant-making charity which commissions treatment and prevention services for gambling harms across Great Britain. It also funds research and education to help combat problem gambling. As a commissioning charity, it does not provide its own services. Under the guidance of the National Gambling Treatment Service, these are provided by partners.
The National Gambling Treatment Service is designed to offer free and confidential support, information and treatment to people in Great Britain that are experiencing gambling related harms. It is made up of a network of organizations which work together to offer services across England, Scotland and Wales. Those who may be concerned or affected by someone else’s gambling can also seek guidance from the service, which is manned by professional experts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The review carried out by GambleAware involved in-depth engagement with a range of treatment providers, lived experience representatives, local authorities and partners in the NHS. As a result, a new Outcomes Framework and Delivery Model was produced.
In response to the evolving needs of those that use the service, GambleAware has opted to pursue a regional first approach across England, Scotland and Wales. This will allow its partners to deliver more targeted support to more people in need of support.
Announcing the changes, GambleAware explained that the redesign comes as part of ongoing work to improve the coherence, accessibility, diversity and effectiveness of the National Gambling Treatment Service. This commitment is at the core of GambleAware’s mission, and is outlined in its five-year strategy.
Steps to Recovery
Chief Commissioning Officer of the charity, Anna Hargrave, was excited to reveal the upcoming developments to the valuable service. She stated that GambleAware’s new commissioning plans will build on the current successes of its prevention, support and treatment programs.
According to Hargrave the changes are much needed, as the charity is encountering increasing numbers of people at risk of gambling harms. She cited the rising cost of living as a significant contributing factor to this apparent trend. Hargrave continued, adding:
“We have built-up a wide pool of expertise and knowledge around gambling harms from years of working with our partners and we will continue to use this insight to improve and inform our work and ensure we are able to make a lasting impact to people’s lives.”
Closing the announcement, GambleAware added that it is encouraging both new and existing providers to apply for funding over the coming year. The charity’s full future commissioning plans can be viewed on its website. Included in the plans are the Outcomes Framework, Service Blueprint and Commissioning Intentions.
The Outcomes Framework outlines five steps designed to combat and treat problem gambling. First of all, the framework commits to preventing the escalation of harms to minimize the negative impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals. This step is followed by holistic treatment, designed to ensure that individuals are treated for all challenges they face, whether related to gambling or not.
The third step is to reduce barriers that drive inequality across society. It is key that resources are targeted proportionately to address the varying prevalence of gambling harms around Britain. These resources should also be appropriate to those seeking them, in terms of culture, gender, language, socioeconomic and neurodiversity factors.
Similarly, the fourth step places importance on ensuring that individuals receive the most appropriate service. Due to multiple routes into the system, it is possible that some individuals receive treatment from one service when another may be more effective for their recovery. Lastly, the framework seeks to ensure that recovery lasts, by clearly signposting to aftercare services.
Gambling Act White Paper
GambleAware published its five-year strategy in April 2021, which is underpinned by four commissioning objectives. These include developing understanding of gambling harms, boosting access to services and reducing inequalities, raising the capacities of health and community services to respond to harms, and improving aspects of the National Gambling Treatment Service.
The results of the charity’s strategic review of the National Gambling Treatment Service come ahead of the publication of the government’s long awaited Gambling Act review white paper. The outcome of the review has now been delayed four times, most recently by the Conservative leadership election earlier this year.
Liz Truss was named Prime Minister of the UK on September 6th, beating former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. Shortly afterwards, Truss began appointing hew own cabinet and other government positions. Amongst the new appointees are Thérèse Coffey as Deputy PM and Health Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor of the Exchequer, James Cleverly as Foreign Secretary and Suella Braverman as Home Secretary.
Notably, this is the first time in history that no white men have hold positions in the Great Offices of State. In the DCMS, which is responsible for overseeing the review of the Gambling Act, former Secretary of State Nadine Dorries has been replaced by Michelle Donelan. Gambling duties will now be overseen by Damian Collins, Undersecretary for Media and Tech, following the resignation of Chris Philp.
Despite the fact that proposals for gambling reforms were reportedly finalized in June, it remains unclear when the white paper will be published. Campaigners have urged the new Prime Minister to publish the paper as a matter of urgency. The delays have enabled Premier League football clubs to sign fresh sponsorship deals with gambling operators, despite the threat of an incoming ban on shirt sponsors.
