Criteria For Admission

• The assessment process must ensure that the person wanting admission undertakes the 'legwork' in making the application in order to demonstrate personal motivation for admission rather than their drug worker or probation officer etc
• The person should have an entrenched history of chaotic drug and/or alcohol misuse
• The person should have had previous nonresidential intervention for drug and/or alcohol misuse problems
• The person should not have had a diagnosed mental illness in the two years prior to making the application for admission.
  
• The person should be over 18 years old
• The person should not have committed a serious arson offence, an offence of a serious sexual nature, or be a Schedule 1 Offender
• The person should be sufficiently robust to be able to manage the very demanding Ley programme
• The Ley is unable to admit parents with their children, or partners in an exclusive relationship at the same time
• The person must be prepared to accept the Rules of the Community

The above list provides a framework of criteria which will be taken into account when admission to the Ley Community is under consideration. It is important to note that the criteria can be varied in exceptional circumstances to make provision to meet individual needs. The programme has been specifically revised to ensure that it is a safe environment for both men and women.

Applying whilst at liberty in the community

• Telephone or write to the Ley asking for an application form (01865 373108)
• Information sent to applicant about the Ley and asking for a Self Assessment Form to be completed
• Return Self Assessment Form to the Ley
• The Ley Admissions Unit checks if person meets the Admission Criteria
• If the Admission Criteria are met, an interview will be offered at the Ley - usually within two weeks of receipt of Self Assessment Form
• Following interview, the Admissions Unit will seek additional information from all available sources (medical history, previous convictions, funding situation etc)
• A Day Placement will normally be arranged within a week of the Assessment Interview
• A further Day Placement may need to be arranged if significant time has passed before admission can be agreed (eg delays over finalising funding)
• The final decision about admission will be made by the full Admissions Unit at the weekly Assessment Meeting
• Prior to arrival, a Key Worker will be allocated for the new resident
• Admission. The first two weeks at the Ley in Stage 1 provides a period of close support before starting to attend therapy groups in Stage 2

Applying from prison on remand

• Telephone or write to the Ley asking for information (01865 373108)
• Information sent to applicant about the Ley and asking for a Self Assessment Form to be completed (with help from prison staff if required)
• With Self Assessment Form, person is asked to sign a letter giving permission to the Ley to seek further medical, legal and social information in support of the application
• Self Assessment Form returned to the Ley
• Ley Admissions Unit considers application with all the information received and decides whether the person meets the Admission Criteria and should be offered a place, or requires a period at the Ley on Bail Assessment
• Prior to arrival, a Key Worker will be allocated for the new resident
• Admission. The first two weeks at the Ley in Stage 1 provides a period of close support before starting to attend therapy groups in Stage 2
• Following arrival, the Admissions Officer will undertake the full Assessment Interview with the new resident with the allocated Key Worker sitting in
• When a person returns to the Ley after completing a Bail Assessment, they are likely to enter straight into Stage 2 of the programme

Applying from prison to come to the Ley on licence

On occasions, the Ley Community will consider referrals from sentenced prisoners who indicate that they wish to come onto the Ley programme straight from a custodial sentence as part of a licence package. Such potential residents need to be absolutely clear about the demands of the programme and the fact that contact with family and friends is limited - a factor which many would find difficult after serving a prison sentence.

Psychiatric Reports

The great majority of people admitted to the Ley Community do not require psychiatric reports. Primarily, the purpose of a psychiatric report would be to assess mental health issues and motivation to undertake the programme, and to advise the Admissions Unit as to the 'suitability' of the prospective resident for admission.