Choices represent a number of independent treatment centres across the country offering; ethical, affordable and effective treatment from a wide range of options.
Choices promotes excellence in addiction treatment through collective action.
In the ever-evolving landscape of residential treatment, Choices is a beacon of collaboration, resilience, and excellence. Established in 2013, this charitable group is composed of independent residential treatment services, each with unique models and specialisms, dedicated to enhancing the quality of addiction care in the UK.
As we extend an invitation to new members, here’s an overview of the ethos, benefits and initiatives that define our group, with its focus on a person-centric and trauma-informed approach.
A diverse group
Choices is not just a consortium – it’s a commitment to individualised and compassionate care, recognising the diverse needs of individuals on their journey through addiction and recovery.
This includes services catering to mothers and babies, medically managed inpatient detoxification, stabilisation and assessment, and a range of psycho-social treatment models, some incorporating medically monitored detox to support entry into rehab for those who need it. These services reflect a dedication to addressing the multifaceted challenges that individuals may face.
Our philosophy
At its core, Choices is founded on a simple yet profound philosophy – by uniting independent and unique residential treatment providers, the group can collectively thrive, survive, and compete. The emphasis on collaboration is coupled with a commitment to environments that consider the impact of trauma while respecting each member’s individuality.
Bridge to treatment
Choices was conceived with the primary goal of allowing renowned independent residential treatment providers to share experiences, influence best practice, and inform policymakers. The group serves as a bridge to treatment by offering an informed choice of ethical and effective options to suit a range of budgets.
Regular online meetings provide members with a forum to share policy and procedural experiences, discuss tendering and funding opportunities, tackle topical issues, engage in shared problem-solving, and network with other professionals in the field. This collaborative environment supports trauma-informed practices, allowing members to share insights and strategies to improve outcomes for individuals.
Choices also facilitates reciprocal visits among its members, fostering the exchange of ideas and examples of good practice and creating a vibrant community of practitioners dedicated to continuous improvement.
One of our standout initiatives is the Treatment Loop service – an alternative to withdrawing treatment when clients breach core boundaries. Members work together to offer places to clients who need to leave their current treatment – benchmarking quality, matching fees, and sharing the costs of relocating the client.
This initiative, recognised as best practice by NTA/OHID and aligning with trauma-informed care principles, currently involves around 20 organisations across the UK and operates at no cost. The service saves lives and upholds the integrity of treatment boundaries, maintaining a keen understanding of the potential impact on individuals with trauma histories.
Opening doors
Traditionally comprising independents, we are now opening our doors to new members, extending our reach beyond charities or not-for-profits to those with a CQC assessment of ‘good’ or above.
This expansion aligns with the launch of the new Choices website and a social media campaign, aiming to offer potential service users a centralised and unbiased platform for informed choices about available treatment options. It also provides local and national government authorities with a single point of contact, streamlining communication and ensuring that the collective views and experiences of our members are effectively communicated and heard.
The future
As we welcome new members, Choices is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of addiction treatment in the UK. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and providing a unified voice for its members, the group stands as a testament to the power of collective action in the pursuit of excellence in addiction care.
Choices embodies a commitment to ethical and effective addiction treatment. As the group continues to grow and evolve, its impact on the residential addiction treatment landscape will be both enduring and transformative. If you share the vision of elevating residential addiction treatment standards, consider exploring the collaborative opportunities offered by Choices – where collective action paves the way for a brighter future in residential addiction care.
Find out more at choicesrehabs.com