Brent Council's cabinet has approved the direct award of the Integrated Treatment Recovery Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Service to VIA Community Ltd for three years, ensuring continuity of vital services for vulnerable residents. The total value of the contract is estimated at £12,641,731, based on a baseline cost of £3,894,000 for 2025/26 with a 4% annual uplift to account for health-sector inflation.
The decision, made at a meeting on 8 December 2025, will see VIA Community Ltd continue to deliver the service. According to the report Integrated Treatment Substance Misuse Service Contract award, the direct award was recommended because the service is performing well, supports a number of the Borough's our most vulnerable residents and has excellent partnerships and networks.
The service aligns with the key priorities outlined in the 2021 National Drug Strategy: From Harm to Hope. This includes:
- Clinical prescribing (including relapse prevention)
- Treatment and Recovery Services
- Care planned counselling service and recovery day programme
- Outreach and engagement
- Criminal Justice Interventions
- Young Persons Early Intervention and Prevention Services.
On 01 June 2025, the service was engaging 1426 residents in structured treatment, exceeding the 2024/25 national target and showing a 10% growth. The 25/26 Borough Plan sets an aspirational target of 1500 residents in structured treatment and recovery programmes.
The report noted that the Brent Integrated Treatment Recovery Wellbeing and Substance Misuse Service was currently provided to the council by VIA Community Ltd.
The council had received an additional grant called the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG). From 1 April 2026 the DATRIG funding will be assimilated into the Public Health Grant. The three-year allocation has yet to be confirmed. The new arrangements for the spend on Drug and Alcohol treatment and recovery services within the Public Health Grant are currently being developed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparity (OHID), with clarification expected in early to mid-November 2025.