Course Rationale: |
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Combining background information, theoretical
discussion and the development of practical skills,
this five-day course provides a full introduction to
many of the elements of effective drugs and alcohol
work. From learning ‘the basics’ (for example in
sessions discussing the impacts of commonly used
drugs or some of the factors that can lead to people
developing drug and alcohol problems), to getting
hands-on experience of some of the fundamental
activities undertaken by drug and alcohol-workers
(such as handling risk, assessment, harm reduction,
care planning and reviews), participants will leave
the training room with a good grasp of many of the
underpinning knowledge and skills required in drugs
and alcohol work.
The course is mapped against 4 DANOS units (the
Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards)
and the accompanying book is based on Skills for
Health’ document for induction ‘Knowledge and skills
for tackling substance misuse’. |
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Course Aim:
to provide a comprehensive introduction to working with clients who have drugs and alcohol problems |
Course objectives |
On completion of the course participants will be able to: |
Introductory issues |
List commonly used drugs and their effects |
Describe the main components of the Misuse of Drugs act |
Identify factors that increase the risks of developing substance misuse problems. |
Use the cycle of change to structure interventions with clients |
Working with clients and harm reduction |
Enable individuals to adopt safe practices associated with substance use |
Support individuals when they have used substances |
Support individuals in reducing substance use |
Working with risk |
Assess the immediate risk of danger to the individual |
Act upon the immediate risk of danger to the individual |
Support the individual after the immediate risk of danger has passed |
Factors to consider in assessment |
Prepare for a comprehensive substance misuse assessment |
Assess possible risks and the individual’s understanding of services available |
Assess the individual’s substance misuse and related problems |
Care planning and review |
Obtain information about individuals and their needs of the service |
Contribute to planning how individuals’ needs can best be met |
Agree services to be provided to meet individuals’ needs |
Contribute to reviewing the effectiveness of care programmes |
Duration:
5 days |
Who will benefit from the course:
New workers to the drug and alcohol field |
DANOS Units or other National Occupational Standards: |
AB2 Support individuals who are substance users |
AB5 Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users |
AF3 Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessments |
AG2 Contribute to planning, monitoring and reviewing the delivery of services |
To view or download DANOS standards click here |
For information about how we use DANOS click here |
