• A strong demand amongst members for training in mental health issues.
• The specific needs of staff in residential rehabilitation agencies are not being fully catered for in most of the available AOD training.
• The main barrier to training was the availability and cost of staff to backfill for those away at training.
• Rural and remote agencies face particular barriers in attending courses due to time and travel costs.
• Career pathways in AOD work need to be more clearly articulated and better promoted in the sector.

• Increase opportunities for participation in workforce development activities to improve staff skills and knowledge.
• Create opportunities for the design and implementation of flexible, innovative and multidisciplinary workforce development strategies and projects.
• Provide leadership and support for the development and implementation of workforce policies and practices at system and organisational levels.
• Build evidence and promote innovation in workforce development practice in the non-government sector.

What is Workforce Development ?
The term ’workforce development’ embraces ’the broad range of strategies that are used to ensure effective practice. These strategies may focus on individuals, organisations or systems’ (Helfgot & Allsop 2002) . In other words, workforce development is more than the education and training of individual workers. It also addresses the need for change at organisational and system levels to ensure sustainability
Within a specialist AOD agency, workforce development may focus on such areas as

• strategic and operational planning;
• management and leadership skills;
• governance;
• recruitment and induction of new staff;
• performance management and review;
• professional supervision, clinical supervision and mentoring;
• team building and peer support;
• identification of training needs, professional development and the development of a learning organisation;
• networking and collaboration with other services. 

Workforce Development Links and Downloads

• Training Support
• Staff/Management Support and Development
• Collaborative Work with Other Agencies
• Resources
• Developing Partnerships
• Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• Quality Assurance/Review/Accreditation
• Human Resources
• Support Service
• Multicultural Support Service
• Professional Organisations
• Peak Bodies
• Governance and Management
• Key Organisations
• Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS Education/Service/Advocacy Organisations
• Research
• Vocational Education and Training
• Education and Training Providers
• Alcohol and Drug Information (hard copies and online)
• Multicultural Drug Information

Training Support

Training Directory

Twice yearly publication outlining a broad range of training opportunities. NADA supports its members by providing financial assistance to cover course costs plus travel and accommodation where applicable. See Directory for conditions and how to apply. Produced collaboratively with the NSW Workforce Development Program in Hepatitis, HIV and Sexual Health.   If you want information about the Training Directory or any other training Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669, vanessa@nada.org.au

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Staff /Management Support and Development

Support for Conference Presentations

As part of their professional development, NADA provides financial support for staff in NADA member agencies to attend conferences within Australia if they are presenting a paper or running a workshop.

For information about conference support Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au

NADA worked with the Management Support Unit (MSU) at NCOSS to support some of its members around governance issues from 2004 to 2006. The MSU assists non-government organisations in NSW with best practice in management and governance. Management Support Unit. 

Currently NADA is working with members with the assistance of an Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation (AER) Foundation Grant.  The project asists members with management and financial systems support.  If you would like more information please contact Vanessa at vaness@nada.org.au.

Agency Collaboration - Support for Forums

NADA provides support to the SSWAHS NGO Drug Health Services Forum and the Hunter Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Forum. The aim of the forums is to bring organisations together for support, updates, information sharing, problem solving and networking.

For information about the forums Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au

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Collaborative Work with Other Agencies

Mental Health Coordinating Council

This collaborative project aims to enhance the capacity of NGO mental health services to provide drug and alcohol services and AOD services to provide mental health services. Selected NGOs in the two sectors have been paired. The work will involve identification and development of staff skills and the organisational systems that are required for appropriate treatment, referral and ongoing case management of complex cases.Mental Health Coordinating Council

If you want information about this project Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669, vanessa@nada.org.au

Kedesh Rehabilitation Services

A collaboration to develop and provide skills-based training that leads to change in residential rehabilitation staff’s confidence and capacity to address the needs of clients with both mental illness and substance use issues.

If you want information about this project Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669, vanessa@nada.org.au

TAFE NSW Alcohol and Drug Unit

In December 2004 NADA members participated in skills recognition and gap training with funding from the Board of Vocational Education and Training (BVET) through its emerging priorities initiative. It released funds to TAFE institutes in NSW. NADA and TAFE identified priority training areas and facilitated the implementation of the program.

Download evaluation report, Board of Vocational Education and Training

 Victorian Drug and Alcohol Association (VAADA) and Western Australian Network of Alcohol & Other Drugs Agencies (WANADA)

In partnership with VAADA and WANADA, NADA conducted focus groups around Australia with funds from the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF). The information was used to scope existing workforce development strategies, identify gaps and make recommendations to improve approaches at the state and national levels.

Download Report VAADA , WANADA

 A literature review was undertaken by the National Centre for Education and Training in Addiction (NCETA) and is a companion document to the reports.

Link to NCETA

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Resources

Counselling Videos

Six counselling videos, Therapeutic Journeys, developed by Sushi Productions cover a range of skills, topics and scenarios. They are tools for generalist and specialist drug and mental health workers. They have been reviewed for NADA member agencies by Judi Finnigan, a drug and alcohol specialist.

Review 1, Review 2, Review 3, Review 4, Review 5, Review 6

If you wish to borrow the videos Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au

Workplace Boundaries Kit

Produced jointly by NADA and NSW Health Workforce Development Program, the Boundaries at Work Training Kit addresses issues relating to the maintenance of personal and professional boundaries in the workplace. Intended for use in a workshop setting, the kit comprises:

1. Boundaries Workshop Kit Guide - a set of notes and suggestions for the workshop.

2. Boundaries Workshop Kit Slides - a power point presentation to be used during the workshop.

Workforce Development Resource Kit

The kit explains what workforce development is and provides a framework and tools for managers to put workforce development practices into their agency. It was produced by the NSW Health Centre for Drug and Alcohol and NADA and addresses:

•  Agency and staff workforce development needs
• Professional development strategies
• Human resource planning, strategic planning and partnerships

The complete kit can be downloaded Resource Kit or just the Case Studies NADA member agencies can order a free, hard copy of the kit Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au .

Case Management Training Resource

This is a work-based training resource which meets the competency CHCCM3B - Develop, Facilitate and Monitor All Aspects of Case Management. It can be used in a number of ways by both managers and workers and can be part of formal (with a registered training organisation) and informal assessments.

The resource, developed for NADA by TAFE NSW Western Institute with funds from the Department of Education and Training, is comprised of four books:

1. Agency Training Handbook
2. Recognition of Assessment Kit & Record Book
3. Self-directed Learning Resource
4. Assessor’s Kit

Each book plus an information sheet can be downloaded Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book4

NADA member agencies can order a free, hard copy of the resource Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au .

Assessment and Referral Training Resource

This competency-based resource is for managers and workers. It can be used as part of formal assessments with a registered training organisation as well as for examining a worker’s competency in assessing and referring clients. It was developed for NADA with funds from NSW Department of Education and Training and is made up of 4 sections:

1. Agency Handbook
2. Recognition of Assessment Applicant’s Kit
3. Self-directed Learner’s Guide
4. Workplace Assessment Guide

Each section can be downloaded Section 1 Section Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

NADA member agencies can order a free, hard copy of the kit Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au .

NCETA Resources

Clinical Supervision Resource Kit for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Field

http://www.nceta.flinders.edu.au

Developed by NCETA, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction.

Comprises:

1. An overview of the kit
2. A practical guide to clinical supervision
3. A 40-minute demonstration of clinical supervision
4. Recommendations
5. 75 slide power point presentation

It has been reviewed for NADA member agencies by Jo Lunn, Clinical Director, Kedesh Rehabilitation Services. Download Review Link to NCETA.

Stress and Burnout - A Prevention Handbook for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Workforce

An NCETA resource outlining the causes and consequences of stress and burnout and strategies to support workers.

Workforce Development ’TIPS" Theory into Practice Strategies, A Resource Kit for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Field

http://www.nceta.flinders.edu.au

Developed by NCETA, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction. It comprises14 chapters covering a range of workforce development issues in the AOD field. Managers in NADA member agencies have provided feedback on each draft chapter. Cost: $20.

Developing Partnerships

Partnerships, Case Studies and Resources from the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector

A NADA publication which assists non-government organisations in the AOD sector to develop partnership agreements. Gives examples of formal and informal partnerships. Includes case studies and readings.

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Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Department of Education and Training Apprenticeships and Traineeships http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au

Provides information for apprentices, trainees and employers. Also see an extensive review of traineeships in the Latest Developments section of the web site.

 Pathway to Skilled Drug & Alcohol Workers

New resource provides key information about existing worker traineeships and new apprenticeships, Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work, how to get onto a scheme, funding etc. Produced by the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body for NSW Health. For information contact the NSW Community Services and Health ITAB, 02 9816 2869 NSW Community Services and Health ITAB

For further assistance with this area Contact: The Manager, Workforce Development Program 02 9698 8669 vanessa@nada.org.au .

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Quality Assurance/Review/Accreditation

www.qms.org.au

Quality Management Services

Provides quality improvement, review and accreditation services to human service organisations.

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Human Resources

Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW

http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adb

Promotes anti-discrimination and equal opportunity policies and practices and provides a range of information in the area including how to lodge a complaint.

Australian Barnardos Recruitment Services (ABRS)

Helps find staff, permanent and temporary for your organisation.

Australian Charities

Entrance to and source of information on the Australian charitable sector.

Good Company

Links professions willing to volunteer their skills with community organisations wanting assistance with specific, one-off needs and projects.

Financial Counsellors Association of NSW

Financial Counsellors Association of NSW

A free service which assists clients to understand and take control of their finances.

Office of Industrial Relations

Office of Industrial Relations

Covers a wide range of employment issues for workers and employers.

Volunteering Australia

Peak organisation for volunteering in Australia . Includes a volunteer recruitment web site.

Support Service

NSW DASAS NSW Drug & Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service

Telephone: Country 1800 023 687, Sydney 02 9361 8006.

24 hour telephone service exclusively for health professionals. Provides instant advice on the diagnosis and clinical management of people with alcohol and other drug related problems.

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Multicultural Service Support

Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC)

Resources and assists organisations to access and work with clients from culturally and linguistically backgrounds.DAMEC

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Professional Organisations

Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Professional body for welfare and community workers in Australia .

Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD)

A key, multi-disciplinary organisation for professionals in the AOD field. Increases the awareness of problems relating to alcohol and other drugs area and promotes improved standards in clinical practice and research. Disseminates information via the Drug and Alcohol Review, a newsletter and an annual conference.

Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia Inc (PACFA)

An ’umbrella’ association made up of affiliated professional associations related to psychology and counselling.

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Peak Bodies

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH & MRC)

www.ahmrc.org.au

Peak Aboriginal health organisation representing over 40 Aboriginal controlled health organisations in NSW. Offers training and capacity building programs in sexual health, blood borne viruses, AOD issues for Aboriginal communities in NSW.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA)

http://www.adca.org.au

Peak, non-government organisation representing the interests of the alcohol and other drugs sector. The National Resource Centre provides access to an online database, RADAR Research Register, (See Under Alcohol and Other Drugs Information) Update & Drug Talk - an email and distribution list, books and reports.

Council of Social Services of New South Wales (NCOSS)

www.ncoss.prg.au .

Peak organisation for social and community services sector in NSW. Roles include: advocacy, coordination, policy development, leadership, provision of information.

Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC)

www.mhcc.org.au

Peak body for non-government organisations working in mental health in NSW.

New South Wales Association for Adolescent Health (NAAH)

http://www.naah.org.au/about.cfm

Peak body representing individuals/organisations working with young people aged 12-25 around their health and well being.

Women’s Health NSW (WHNSW)

http://www.whnsaw.asn.au

Peak body for non-government feminist women’s health centres.

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Management and Governance

Employers First Complete Employer Protection

http://www.ef.org.au

Supports employers to deal with a range of complex employment issues including legal matters as well as providing a training calendar.

Governance & Management Pty Ltd

Subscription to the newsletter Board Matters, conference, online book shop, past articles and research from Board Matters.

Management Support Unit (NCOSS)

Training and information for NGOs relating to management and good governance.

Management Support Online

An affordable on-line service providing management support including resources, a confidential support and advice service, step by step guides to reviewing and implementing change, self-directed training programs.

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Key Organisations

Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation Ltd (AERF)

www.aerf.com.au

Supports individuals and community organisations to address prevention, treatment, research and rehabilitation relating to alcohol and illicit drugs such as paint, petrol and glue sniffing.

Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training http://www.dest.gov.au

Provides the latest information on education, science and training.

Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)

Provides expert policy advice to the government and ensures the voice of the community is heard in relation to drug-related policy and strategies.

Centre for Drug and Alcohol NSW Health

Responsible for the development and implementation of drug and alcohol policy and implementing a range of new initiatives from the Drug Summit.

Centre for Mental Health NSW Health

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policy/cmh/index.html

Responsible for the development, management, and coordination of the NSW Health Department policy relating to mental health services.

NSW Health Workforce Development Program in Hepatitis, HIV and Sexual Health

WDP aims to foster the growth of a skilled and valued workforce through the provision of a range of workforce and management development strategies and projects for workers in hepatitis, HIV and sexual health across NSW . Partners with NADA to produce the twice yearly WDP Training Directory.

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Hepatitis C and HIV AIDS Education/Service/Advocacy Organisations

AIDS Council of NSW (ACON)

http://www.acon.org.au

Works with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and people living with and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Undertakes health promotion, HIV prevention, consumer advocacy, education plus care and support services.

Hepatitis C Council of NSW

Provides education to organisations. Also support and information to affected communities. Runs the Hep C Infoline, C-een and Heard Speakers’ Program, produces the Hep C Review, booklets, fact sheets, library service.

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Research

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA)

http://www.nceta.flinders.edu.au/contact.htm

A nationally recognised research centre promoting workforce development, research and evaluation of effective practice in the AOD field.

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)

http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/ndarc.nsf

Undertakes research to increase knowledge and understanding of drug related harm, effectiveness of treatments and interventions and to increase the knowledge of treatment providers and the community about effective programs.

National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)

Complements the work undertaken by the other 2 research organisations. Undertakes research to contribute to the primary prevention of harmful drug use and drug related harm in Australia .

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Vocational Education and Training

Australian National Training Authority (ANTA)

http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/nts

Their information has now been transferred to the Department of Education, Science and Training website:

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council

Peak, national body providing advice to the government and industry about the training and skill needs of community services and the health workforce. Provides information on the Community Services Training Package.

Competencies and Qualifications

Compiled by NADA 2003. Outlines competencies and qualifications for workers in the alcohol and other drugs sector. Provides a breakdown of the specific AOD competencies.

National Training Information Service (NTIS)

Database for courses, competencies, registered training organisations, training packages etc for the VET sector.

NSW Community Services and Health ITAB

Key training and information service for the community service and health sector.

Vocational Education Training Accreditation Board

Its 3 main functions are: to register and monitor training organisations in NSW, accredit VET courses in accordance with national standards and approve the delivery of VET by training providers to overseas students.

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Education and Training Providers

Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT)

( www.acwa.asn.au )

Training for people in the community welfare sector. A handbook and calendar are available.

Life Education NSW

Registered Training Organisation on AOD and workplace assessment.

TAFE

Offers part time, full time, distance learning, flexible delivery of AOD and related courses - Certificate IV, Diploma and Statement of Attainment.

Ted Noffs Institute

http://www.noffs.org.au/institute/

Provides training and development opportunities to the AOD and non-AOD sectors.

Turning Point

Specialist alcohol and other drugs organisation. Provides information on education and training, treatment and support, research, online library.

Western Sydney Drug & Alcohol Resource Centre (WESDARC)

www.wesdarc.org.au

Provides training to workers in the AOD sector plus drug and alcohol information, referral services and undertakes community development activities and projects in Penrith, the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury. Also training, resources and information further afield.

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Alcohol and Other Drugs Information (hard copies and online)

Alcohol and Work - What Everyone Should Know (ADF) www.alcoholandwork.adf.org.au

A website for workplaces to deal with alcohol-related issues using a harm minimization approach.

Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN)

http://www.adin.com.au

Access point to alcohol and other drugs information, organisational links, multicultural information, Indigenous communities, services, databases and research.

Australian Drug Foundation Bookshop (ADF)

www.bookshop.adf.org.au

Books, videos, posters CD-roms, posters, postcards are available.

Cochrane Library

A database for health professionals and consumers which brings together research to look at evidence for the effectiveness of health care treatments and interventions.

Di@yll Drug Information @ Your Local Library

http://diayll.sl.nsw.gov.au

Provides a broad range of drug information. Also for parents and families. Local libraries provide books and pamphlets.

Drug Info Clearing House

http://druginfo.adf.org.au

Provides online information, library services, journals, information on workforce development.

Health Education Unit Sydney University

http://healthed.edfac.usyd.edu.au/brs/

For health professionals, teachers, parents and students. Provides information such as teaching resources, research reports, serials, pamphlets etc relating to young people and drug/health education.

NSW Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy

http://www.druginfo.nsw.gov.au

Official NSW government website on drug matters. Provides policies, drug fact sheets, information on legal issues, publications and reports, a range of links including area health services, treatment services, NGOs.

NSW Health

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au

Official website of NSW Health. Broad-based health site providing alcohol and other drug fact sheets.

RADAR Register of Australian Drug and Alcohol Research

www.radar.org.au

A comprehensive database of AOD research that is currently being undertaken or recently completed.

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Multicultural Drug Information

DrugInfo Clearinghouse

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/multicultural

Provides a range of information by language and topic, services, reading lists, topics relevant to culturally and linguistically diverse workers and communities.

Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC)

Multilingual information service providing information on AOD.

Telephone 02 9699 3552.

NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service

http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au  

Provides information and services to assist health professionals to communicate with people from cultural and linguistically diverse communities.