Outreach
Outreach means taking services to the community who might not otherwise have access to those services.
Outreach services will be provided in two ways:
- Generally, and in most locations, on-demand outreach teams will respond to referrals. These teams can provide immediate assistance, arrange private transport or, if appropriate, transport people to a place where they can safely recover from the effects of intoxication.
- At peak times in high-demand areas of metropolitan Melbourne, assertive outreach teams will be present to identify and respond to instances of public intoxication. These teams can provide immediate assistance, arrange private transport or, if appropriate, transport a person to a place of safety (including sobering centre).
Sobering facilities and places of safety
In metropolitan Melbourne, 24/7 fully staffed sobering centres will provide a supervised place for people who are intoxicated to stay while they recover from the immediate effects of intoxication. They are a dignified and safe environment that will help to reduce the risk of harm to the intoxicated person.
These facilities will include:
- one centre for the general population in Collingwood
- one centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in St Kilda.
In regional locations, there will be on-demand places of safety where outreach teams can support Aboriginal people if they cannot safely return home or to the home of family, friends, carers or kin, and require ongoing supervision.
Follow-ups and referrals
If people consent, outreach and sobering centre staff will follow up after supporting a client and refer people into further supportive services if required or requested.
Centralised services
These will support the primary response, and consist of:
- An intake, referral and dispatch service, which will receive incoming referrals relating to a person who needs support for being intoxicated in public, determine the most appropriate service for the individual, and dispatch an appropriate service response.
- Central advice and support, which will provide specific information about alcohol and other drugs to staff providing the outreach and sobering services.
Currently available services
Public intoxication services will be progressively delivered across Victoria, in partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations and local health services.
Below is a summary of the services that are available across the state.
Region | Service offering |
State-wide | Centralised service providing 24/7 intake, referral, and dispatch functions for public intoxication response services across Victoria. The centralised service will support Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Lead provider: Victorian Aboriginal Health Service |
Melbourne Metro | Sobering centre in Collingwood (interim in Fitzroy) and outreach services for the general population. Lead provider: Cohealth |
Melbourne Metro, Wyndham, Frankston | Sobering centre in St Kilda and outreach services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation |
Shepparton | Outreach services and a place of safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative |
Bendigo | Outreach services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative |
Geelong | Outreach services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative |
Ballarat | Outreach services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative |
Mildura | Outreach services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider; Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Mildura Base Hospital |
East Gippsland | Outreach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation |
Latrobe | Outreach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Lead provider: Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation |
Swan Hill | Outreach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lead provider: Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation |
Reviewed 09 November 2023