West Sussex Discharge, Outreach and Recovery Support (DORS) Service

The service helps to support the timely discharge from psychiatric acute and rehabilitation wards for people who are medically fit for discharge, but require some short-term community support around their mental health and/or social circumstances.

Provided in partnership by Venture People, West Sussex County Council, and Sussex Partnership, the service is also available for people at risk of admission who require community support.

Please note. referral to the service must be made be a professional.

The service helps to support the timely discharge from psychiatric acute and rehabilitation wards for people who are medically fit for discharge, but require some short-term community support around their mental health and/or social circumstances.

At each assessment, if the patient is accepted, the service will create a bespoke reablement plan which will name the intended outcomes or goals to be achieved with the service. This person-centred support will help improve patient experience in periods of transition and ensure that individuals are fully informed of the community support they are eligible to receive.

The service will work in partnership with the service users lead practitioner from Sussex Partnership , social worker form West Sussex County Council, and any carers within their support network.

The service is free for the service user at the point of access and for up to six (6) weeks. If the service user is not eligible for ongoing funded support, the service will also be able to signpost and introduce them to others ways to access other support options. The service also has a small fund available to make one-off purchases that support people to avoid admission/be discharged.

The aim of the service is to try and help people to become, or regain, as much independence as possible. The service is for adults aged 18+, living in West Sussex, who:

  • Are open to a Sussex Partnership mental health team, and have a primary mental health need
  • Hold capacity to understand and consent to receiving the service
  • Are medically ready for discharge, or able to engage with an alternative to admission
  • Are willing to commit to achieving identified goals.

Referrals must be made by a Lead Practitioner, clinical colleague from the ward that the service user is on, health professional in an urgent or emergency care service, or Social Worker from West Sussex County Council.

The service will respond to referrals within one working day, and provide time-limited support to enable social care, housing or other assessments to be completed.

To make a referral, a professional referrer should email the completed referral form and any supporting documents (e.g. care plan, risk assessment and any social care needs assessments) by email to: DORS@venture-people.com.