“Workforce Development” is about improving the capacity of the occupations that respond to drug and alcohol by systematically identifying and addressing the many complex factors that influence the skill level and sustainability of the workforce.
Training is only one of a number of related strategies that might improve the capacity of services and individuals to respond to client and community need. Sustainable development of the drug and alcohol workforce may require changes to workplace structures and structural supports, information supports and sometimes incentives for employees.
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Support for youth and Indigenous workforce development initiatives
7.1 The Working Group notes and supports resolutions relating to workforce development, recommended by the Youth and Indigenous forums held on 25 August 2003. The Youth Forum request for increased contacts between young people and key service providers in the community and hospitality sectors is noted and supported. |
Government Response
Youth
The Government will enhance workforce development and ensure increased contact between community and health service providers and young people through:
§ responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training (Rec. 7.10)
§ enhanced training of teachers and school counsellors to enable them to better recognise the signs of alcohol abuse (Recs. 7.18 and 7.23)
§ providing specialist alcohol professionals in services dealing with young people (Rec. 3.21)
§ Government funded workforce development for young people (Rec. 7.25)
§ alcohol related community initiatives for implementation in 2004 in which young people will have a key planning and implementation role (Recs. 1.11 and 1.12).
Aboriginal people
The Government supports a culturally responsive approach to workforce development. This will be an important component of the proposed NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda which will be adopted by all NSW Government agencies delivering drug and alcohol programs - as outlined in Recommendations 7.3-7.7.
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A. STATE-WIDE PLANNING
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Guiding the agreed workforce development resolutions of the Summit on Alcohol Abuse
7.2 The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council should be established as the appropriate body to progress the agreed workforce development resolutions of the Summit. |
Government Response
The Government’s response to the 1999 NSW Drug Summit led to a significant expansion of services. The Summit on Alcohol Abuse will build on this growth. New services have in turn created a need for a range of occupations and organisations to expand, develop new skills and to change work practice in drug and alcohol intervention and prevention.
The Government recognises the importance of managing and encouraging such change.
A new NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council has been created. It will drive policies to improve the skill and capacity of specialist and other frontline workers and organisations dealing with people impacted by drugs and alcohol. The Council will report to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol through the Minister for Education and Training.
The Council will have up to ten members and will be chaired by the General Manager, TAFE Strategic Services, Department of Education and Training representing the Director-General of the Department of Education and Training.
The Council’s inaugural meeting will be held in the first half of 2004.
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A framework to underpin drug and alcohol workforce development
7.3 The Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council oversee the development of a Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development State-wide Planning Framework. The purpose of the Framework will be to identify and support initiatives for specialist and non-specialist workforces across the key issues of:
a. workforce planning including regional and remote areas
b. maintenance (recruitment and retention) including local recruitment and training and relocation incentives
c. work practice change. |
Government Response
To ensure organisational and work practice in drug and alcohol intervention in New South Wales are properly targeted, the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will prepare a NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda.
The agenda, including proposals for action, will be submitted to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol in 2005.
The objective of the agenda will be to assist short and long term planning of NSW drug and alcohol policy, and to ensure that workforce development initiatives are aligned with the Government’s policy objectives, client profile, and emerging trends in treatment and prevention.
The agenda will take an evidence based approach and include research outlined in relation to Communiqué Recommendations 7.5, 7.6 and 7.7 (see below).
It will have three main components:
§ state-wide workforce planning (including rural and regional, Aboriginal people and other culturally specific groups, young people, volunteers) – covering current drug and alcohol workforce and delivery outcomes; an assessment of what will be needed in light of service planning by Government and non-government agencies, emerging trends in research and delivery of services; and initiatives to assist relevant groups to access suitable training and relevant agencies to deliver such training
§ recruitment and retention – including current and future incentives, impediments to encouraging professionals and other frontline workers to work in the drug and alcohol field, and other means of building capacity to take account of the expanded drug and alcohol programs and services in New South Wales
§ work practice change – career pathways, training programs and workplace based strategies for improving the sustainable capacity of organisations to deliver drug and alcohol programs.
The agenda will underpin and recommend a series of practical initiatives, including those required to implement the Government’s response to relevant recommendations of the NSW Summit on Alcohol Abuse, as outlined in this document. Initiatives will be for specialist and non-specialist workforces and proposals will include a cost/benefit analysis for implementation.
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Alcohol and drug workforce development planning by Government agencies
7.4 Each government department develop a workforce development plan within the context of the Framework. This recommendation to be progressed by the Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council. |
Government Response
In 1999, the Government provided more than $5.4 million in additional funding over four years to NSW Government agencies to assist training and skills’ development in the drug and alcohol field. In 2003, a further allocation of $6.3 million over four years was made to specific NSW Government agency drug and alcohol training programs.
This commitment will be reinforced through coordinated drug and alcohol workforce development planning over the next four years.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will be responsible for circulating the approved NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda and monitoring the development of complementary NSW agency workforce development plans.
The key Government agencies delivering drug and/or alcohol related services and programs will develop workforce development plans incorporating the relevant recommendations of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda. These agencies are NSW Health, NSW Police, Departments of Community Services, Education and Training, Corrective Services, Juvenile Justice, Gaming and Racing, Attorney General and Housing.
Agency plans will build on existing drug and alcohol training and workforce development strategies in Government agencies and, where appropriate, agency plans may be developed concurrently with the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda. However, all such agency plans are to be completed for consideration by the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol during the 2005/2006 year.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will monitor rollout of agency plans through the receipt of annual reports and more frequent briefings from relevant agencies, and will provide regular advice on these to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will also encourage the non-government sector to develop drug and alcohol workforce development plans which are aligned to the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda. This will be encouraged through the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA) and other peak bodies such as the Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) and the Youth Action Policy Association (YAPA).
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Evidence based drug and alcohol workforce development
7.5 The Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council should undertake a review which will investigate:
a. the current availability of recognition assessment, career pathways and training programs to meet the needs of the higher education, vocational education and training sector
b. the access of relevant groups to training (eg. remote communities, NGOs)
c. a range of workplace based strategies for improved access to training delivery to be developed in collaboration with TAFE, private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), higher education, and other agencies.
The results of the review should be referred to the relevant government agencies with specific recommendations for action.
7.6 The Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council commission a profile and audit of the current composition of AOD services workforce across New South Wales. This service mapping exercise should include:
a. international comparisons
b. a profile of treatment service and delivery outcomes
c. the relevant workforce skill mix and competencies required now and in the future
d. recruitment and retention issues including salaries, wages and conditions.
7.7 An audit be undertaken of the current drug and alcohol workforce (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers) in New South Wales to identify the current expectations and need for skills training and workforce development in different groups.
This audit will include:
a. government and non-government organisations
b. frontline workers including volunteers
c. the range of work roles that include alcohol knowledge and skill but are not specifically designated alcohol worker
d. a review of all the incentives that motivate workers to work in the sector including issues such as burnout
e. information and support for employers, including small businesses, responding to alcohol related OHS issues including referral options in rural areas
f. continuing education programs
g. general practitioner programs. |
Government Response
In line with the Government’s evidence based approach to drug and alcohol policy, the preparation of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda will be informed by available research, and other limited reviews if required.
Research to be used in the preparation of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda will include:
§ Workforce Issues and The Treatment of Alcohol Problems: A survey of Managers of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Agencies, National Alcohol Strategy, Occasional Paper, August 2003
§ the recently completed National Review of Workforce Development Practice, funded by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, 2004
§ the National Review of Aboriginal Health Worker Training (commissioned in 1998), and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce National Strategic Framework 2002
§ the NSW Health Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Strategic Plan (draft)
§ the NSW Drug Treatment Services Plan 2000-2005
§ the NSW Drug and Alcohol Training Needs Review, July 2000
§ the Government’s response to Recommendations 3.3 and 3.5
§ any other current relevant research considered necessary.
The preparation of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda will occur under the auspice of the new Workforce Development Council. Available research will ensure that the following key areas are covered:
§ pathways to training and professional development, training availability and access of relevant groups in the drug and alcohol field to such training
§ the composition of the drug and alcohol workforce in New South Wales and the skill mix and competencies needed for this workforce now and in the future having regard to current and future policy trends in recruitment and training, and in treatment and outcomes for clients
§ the role of:
§ government and non-government organisations
§ frontline workers including volunteers
§ work roles that include alcohol knowledge and skill but are not specifically designated for alcohol/drug workers
§ incentives to work in the alcohol and drug sector including issues such as ‘burnout’
§ information and support for employers, including small businesses, responding to alcohol related Occupational Health and Safety issues, including referral options in rural areas
§ undergraduate and postgraduate training
§ continuing education programs
§ general practitioner programs.
The agenda will include practical recommendations for action for consideration by the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol. Any such proposals will include a cost/benefit analysis.
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B. IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF THE NON-GOVERNMENT SECTOR
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Support for non-government organisations to undertake drug and alcohol workforce development
7.8 The NSW Government should continue to provide funding and ongoing support for workforce development strategies across the government and non-government sector through:
a. a work force development program developed and delivered through the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies
b. the NSW NGO Grants Administration
c. each government department allocating a designated appropriate amount of its professional development budget to drug and alcohol workforce development and its allocation and programs be reported in the annual report of the department. The Workforce Development Council will receive a copy of these reports and will review these allocations and programs on a regular basis
d. the Board of Vocational Education and Training (BVET) being asked to give priority to drug and alcohol workforce development training programs including recognition of mature aged workers. |
Government Response
a - b. Funding and support for workforce development through the non-government sector and the NGO Grants Program
The NSW Government recognises that the non-government sector plays a crucial part in helping those who are affected by alcohol or drugs - turning lives around, providing education to the community, and supporting the family and friends of those who have addictions.
The Government will continue its partnership with this sector and to augment the capacity of the sector’s drug and alcohol workforce.
A number of non-government organisation workforce development initiatives will be implemented in the next four years.
NSW Health is finalising a Workforce Development Strategy for its drug and alcohol program. The strategy includes initiatives targeting nurses, workers delivering diversion programs, general practitioners and workers in NSW Health funded non-government organisations that deliver specialist drug and alcohol services. The strategy will be implemented over the next four years.
Key projects involving the non-government sector include:
§ a Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Toolkit for NGO Managers, including a guide to identifying workforce needs, professional development strategies, human resource planning, strategic planning and partnerships
§ a Directory of Drug and Alcohol Training due for publication and distribution in 2004
§ new Apprenticeships in Drug and Alcohol - a Vocational Training Order (VTO) has been established to enable an apprenticeship in the drug and alcohol field. NSW Health is working with the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body to develop supporting training resources for the VTO. The resource will support the pathway from Certificate IV level TAFE training to apprenticeships in the drug and alcohol sector
§ establishment of an Allied Health Worker Advisory Committee to:
§ review and provide advice about initiatives that should be maintained or established to support allied health workers engaged in providing drug and alcohol services
§ support the establishment of policy and systems within NSW Health, Area Health Services, the NGO sector, and Corrections Health to support allied health workers
§ identify and respond to emerging clinical and policy issues of relevance to effective allied health worker practice relating to drug and alcohol issues
§ provide advice about specialist drug and alcohol and generalist competencies and standards for allied health worker practice in managing alcohol and drug related issues
§ provide advice about mechanisms for linking allied health worker approaches to the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda and to initiatives of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council.
The NSW and Commonwealth Governments have recently signed a second National Illicit Drug Strategy Diversion Agreement which includes funding to support workforce development projects up to 2006/2007. Such projects will develop and maintain a workforce to support programs linking drug dependent offenders with treatment services, to break the nexus between criminal behaviour and drug and alcohol abuse.
Key initiatives include:
§ NGO Treatment Agencies Workforce Development – to enhance capacity for referral and assessment
§ NGO Workforce Training Fund to strengthen and update NGO workers’ skills and knowledge
§ Undergraduate Diversion Placement Scheme to link the tertiary education sector with Diversion teams and supporting NGOs, and improve recruitment
§ Diversion Clinical Supervision Guidelines and Training to establish and implement quality clinical standards
§ Advanced Diversion Workforce Learning Program to identify and provide opportunities for workforce learning and development
§ Diversion Case Management Guidelines and Training to develop and implement such guidelines for diversion teams, NGOs and other specialist services
§ Apprenticeship Training and Guidelines to develop apprenticeships and recruitment of new staff into diversion teams, NGOs and other specialist services
§ Drug and Alcohol Undergraduate Diversion Module to include a diversion component in the current 12 hour training module.
The Department of Community Services will also fund drug and alcohol training in the NGO sector and development strategies over the next four years:
§ for frontline family services case workers in non-government organisations which aims to increase the capacity of local agencies to work successfully with young people and families with complex problems where drug and alcohol is a factor in their need for assistance
§ for workers in non-government organisations delivering the Supported Accommodation Assistance program to build skills and change practice in agencies dealing with homeless people who have associated drug and alcohol problems.
c. Government departments’ professional development budgets and drug and alcohol workforce development
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will regularly monitor New South Wales agency workforce development plans, levels of funding and initiatives, through receipt of briefings and annual reports from relevant agencies. The Council will provide advice on these to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol.
d. Vocational Education and Training
The Board of Vocational Education and Training was established in 1994 to provide the NSW Government and the Minister for Education and Training with strategic advice about the New South Wales vocational education and training system.
In addition to its advisory role, the Board’s work includes the implementation of a range of projects designed to demonstrate the value of vocational education and training for individuals, industry and communities.
The Minister for Education and Training will request the Board of Vocational Education and Training to give priority to developing drug and alcohol workforce training programs over the next two years, including recognition of mature aged workers. The programs will be developed in consultation with the NSW Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Development Council and in the context of identified issues in the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda.
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Linking funding to accreditation of non-government organisations
7.9 The Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council consider the appropriateness of government-wide accreditation of NGOs as a prerequisite of receiving public funding and that training and resources be provided to equip the non-government sector as it becomes more accountable in response to changed demands eg. accountability, service standards, clinical governance. |
Government Response
The NSW Government is committed to a professional and high quality drug and alcohol non-government sector.
Following the NSW Drug Summit, the Government allocated funding to NSW Health to assist the accreditation of non-government organisations providing drug and alcohol treatment services in New South Wales. There are currently 50 NGO treatment providers, including 32 residential services, engaged in the NGO accreditation process. Further funding was allocated in 2003 over four years for capital works linked to accreditation in the non-government sector.
Accreditation has a benchmarking role ensuring that workers in the field have the skills and experience necessary to carry out work. Accreditation can also act as an incentive to undertake additional training. However, given the complexity of the drug and alcohol workforce (ranging from professional clinicians to volunteers), no single system of accreditation will be entirely appropriate.
The costs and benefits of linking funding for drug and alcohol service provision to an accreditation process for non-government organisations funded by Government agencies more broadly, will be considered by the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council in the context of:
§ developing initiatives for the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda
§ the outcomes of the Review of NGO Grants Administration currently underway in the NSW Government
§ the volunteer sector.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will also encourage the non-government sector to develop workforce development plans which are complementary to the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda through non-government organisation peak bodies.
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C. TRAINING THE SECURITY AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
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Industry competency and responsible service of alcohol
7.10 The Department of Education and Training support the NSW Police in seeking a review of the security industry competency standards and training to ensure that security officers are able to handle intoxicated persons appropriately.
7.13 Responsible service of alcohol training is extended in scope and content to include:
a. mandatory training for the BYO sector with emphasis on service as well as sale of alcohol
b. handling of difficult patrons and complaints by managers and supervisors
c. dealing with those who move from bar to bar in large premises, from venue to venue and the sale or provision of alcohol to minors by adults. |
Government Response
Responsible service of alcohol training helps to ensure people involved in selling and supplying alcohol directly to the public are aware of their obligations under the liquor laws, and of the health and public order issues associated with irresponsible consumption, intoxication and underage drinking.
The Licensing Court of NSW has required most liquor licensees and club secretaries to undergo responsible service of alcohol training since 1996 as a condition of the liquor licence or certificate of registration.
Responsible service of alcohol training is mandatory for all liquor licensees, sellers and servers in retail licensed venues who are permanent employees (by 31 December 2003) and casual employees (by 30 June 2004). Retail venues include hotels, bars, clubs, liquor stores, restaurants, nightclubs, motels, vessels, universities, functions and theatres.
The training addresses the skills needed by managers and supervisors to handle difficult patrons and complaints, and identify and intervene where problems may arise from patrons moving from bar to bar or venue to venue.
The Department of Gaming and Racing will investigate the development of a revised Responsible service of alcohol course for the liquor industry in New South Wales during 2004. This new course will help to ensure consistent training outcomes and will address the specific issues raised by the Summit around responsible service of alcohol training (including the need for training to be sensitive to the special issues relating to Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities and young people, and for training courses to be developed with appropriate input from representatives of those communities).
The Department will evaluate the effectiveness of the new training standards and assess their impact on issues such as underage drinking, intoxication and venue management. This evaluation will occur in 2005.
The Government will extend the requirement for mandatory responsible service of alcohol training so that it also applies to security officers who work in retail licensed venues, by the end of 2004. New laws are expected to be introduced in the first half of 2004, following consultation with the liquor and security industries. This training will help to ensure security officers are able to handle intoxicated persons appropriately.
Guidelines for BYO venues will be published on the Department of Gaming and Racing website to provide guidance for restaurants, cafes and other venues which are not licensed, but which allow people to bring and drink alcohol with their meals.
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D. PARTNERSHIPS
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Partnerships between the government and non-government sectors
7.16 The Workforce Development Council work with representatives of Area Health Services and NGOs to determine strategies for expanding short term exchanges of workers between government and non-government services, the access of volunteers to paid positions as they become available, and to identify potential career paths for drug and alcohol workers. |
Government Response
The NSW Government recognises that the range and complexity of effective drug and alcohol programs requires a broad approach to building workforce capacity. One such approach is through professional and clinical exchanges or assignments.
The Government will develop, trial and evaluate a program for short term assignments between drug and alcohol workers in government and non-government organisations in one Area Health Service in 2004/2005, with a view to developing a best practice approach to such assignments.
The model will include a plan for dealing with mobility of benefits and levels of remuneration during assignment and will focus on organisational development and sustainability.
The trial project and its evaluation will be developed by NSW Health (Centre for Drug and Alcohol) and the Network of Alcohol and Drugs Agencies (NADA) in consultation with the new NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council and the NSW Government Public Employment Office.
Following the trial, a model will be made available for more general application to enhance the workforce development opportunities between the Government and non-government workforces.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will also be asked to advise on other possible model approaches to building workforce capacity through staff exchanges and assignments as part of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda and the development of complementary New South Wales agency workforce development plans.
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Partnerships between governments and industry
7.19 The Workforce Development Council canvass the relevant industry bodies about the establishment of an industry funded trust, which would have contribution from government and the alcohol manufacturing, supply and retailing industry, and/or their industry associations, to provide funding support for drug and alcohol workforce development programs and initiatives |
Government Response
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will be requested to develop recommendations for establishment of a trust or other suitable model for a tripartite funding partnership between:
§ the Commonwealth Government including the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation
§ the NSW Government, and
§ the alcohol manufacturing, supply and retailing industry, and/or their industry associations.
Such a fund would be used for innovative projects to implement workforce development, including culturally specific projects, which would, for example:
§ build clinical expertise through scholarships, sponsorship or otherwise to encourage clinical supervision in drug and alcohol work of graduate clinical students in the disciplines of medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, and other allied health professions
§ facilitate placements and clinical exposure for workers from human services agencies other than health related such as education, community services, housing, youth services, Aboriginal services, to gain better quality drug and alcohol intervention and integration at the frontline, through assessment and referral
§ sponsor a high profile leader at professional level to encourage new clinical graduates to pursue drug and alcohol as a discipline
§ provide professional development in drug and alcohol opportunities to existing clinicians and frontline workers
§ promote mutually beneficial partnerships between treatment services and education and training providers including work based learning, student placement and mentoring programs
§ sponsor sector specific education initiatives for the workplace eg. in the building industry/linked to training of apprentices.
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Partnerships between governments
7.14 Workforce development programs for local government staff are implemented to support their role in areas such as management of public domains, crime prevention plans, strategic and regulatory planning, social and community planning, health promotion activities.
7.15 In addition to traditional training, the NSW Government initiate discussions with the Commonwealth Government and ANTA on the development and maintenance of an online resource that would use existing materials (where possible) that provides ‘just in time’ training and information specific to the range of front line workers responding to drug and alcohol issues. |
Government Response
Local Government
Local councillors, local council employees and other frontline community workers need to have an understanding of the impacts of drug and alcohol on the well-being of local communities. Such people can play an important role in leading effective community action in preventing and alleviating the potential harm from drug or alcohol abuse.
The Government will develop and implement a Local Government Drug Education Program over the next four years. A project manager will work with the Local Government and Shires Association to develop and deliver a drug education package for local councils. The package will include training materials, best practice models of local council drug and alcohol initiatives, and information sharing.
The package will complement initiatives under the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs Local Government Subcommittee Action Plan 2002-2003, such as the National Local Government Electronic Network. This Network was established in March 2001 to disseminate drug related information to local governments. It distributes a monthly newsletter to the 64 councils in New South Wales which subscribe to the service. The newsletter targets local government workers in the community and drug and alcohol rehabilitation sector.
In addition, the Government will ensure that the collaborative approach forged with local communities, including local councils, through the Premier’s Department continues. This approach has assisted in identifying ways to reduce drug and alcohol abuse, and implement local solutions to community alcohol and drug problems (Recs. 1.5 and 2.1).
Specifically, a Community Drug and Alcohol Program will involve communities in addressing the problem of alcohol abuse. Community Drug Action Teams will be encouraged to address alcohol issues if they are not already doing so (Rec. 1.5).
Regional workshops will continue to be held annually for Community Drug Action Teams throughout New South Wales. Local council staff who participate on Community Drug Action Teams may attend such training and development opportunities.
Assistance with workforce development activities will also be provided to local councils through the Crime Prevention Division in the Attorney General’s administration. The Children (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act 1997 provides for the Division to advise and assist Councils undertaking crime prevention planning.
The Crime Prevention Division also hosts the annual Safer Towns and Cities meeting to provide training, access to emerging research and networking opportunities for mostly council based crime prevention practitioners. Email bulletins, the Crime Prevention Division web page, and the Division's quarterly newsletter provide information about crime prevention tools and resources, publications, case studies, funding opportunities and professional development.
The Commonwealth
The NSW Government will work through the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy to have the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) continue to fund, develop, and maintain an on-line web portal and training materials.
New South Wales will request through the Ministerial Council that ANTA be asked to examine existing programs and develop new programs as appropriate, and to consider strategies for disseminating information and on-line training resources to frontline workers.
ANTA is the statutory authority that provides a nationally consistent focus for vocational education and training. ANTA has previously developed training packages for specific groups of drug and alcohol workers (such as those doing certificates or diploma courses in the community services sector). Training packages are integrated training resources comprising nationally endorsed competency standards, assessment guidelines and Australian Qualification framework qualifications.
Toolboxes are also funded by the Commonwealth through ANTA. These are collections of on-line materials comprising learning activities, resources and user guides to support program delivery for endorsed Training Package qualifications. These can be installed on a server on drug and alcohol competencies through the Australian Flexible Learning Framework.
New South Wales would support development of a web portal which will provide internet accessible vocational and educational training specific to frontline drug and alcohol workers. The proposed ANTA funded portal will complement existing websites and information which the NSW Government provides.
The website would be actively promoted to drug and alcohol workers. It would provide links to practical information relevant to their day to day educational and training needs. Furthermore, it will increase the confidence and capacity of frontline workers to respond to the complex situations that they have to manage.
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Culturally responsive services
7.11 The NSW Government fund a sustained workplace training program and workforce development program on alcohol issues for community ethno-specific and multicultural welfare agencies (including those in remote and regional communities). This program would target the training of workers (both in a paid and voluntary capacity) that provide a range of support and casework services to culturally and linguistically diverse background clients.
7.12 A bilingual workforce recruitment campaign, similar to the one conducted by the NSW Police, to be developed to promote alcohol and other drug professionals to non-English speaking background communities, and to students in secondary and tertiary education. |
Government Response
As outlined in the Government’s response to Recommendation 7.3, culturally specific research and workforce development initiatives will be an important part of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda to be submitted to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol in 2005.
The agenda will take an evidence based approach to developing initiatives and the Minister for Education and Training will ask the Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council to consider the cost benefits of targeted culturally specific initiatives, including a bilingual recruitment campaign for drug and alcohol professionals.
The Council will consider relevant research to inform these initiatives. This will include:
§ The research project by DAMEC which commenced in January 2004, to investigate patterns of alcohol consumption in six non-English speaking background communities in New South Wales. Funded by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, this is a three year research initiative and will provide an evidence base on which to develop strategies with relevant community groups to reduce alcohol related incidents. The research will identify changes in trends in alcohol and substance consumption compared to the 1992 to 1997 prevalence studies, with the aim of determining the most effective targeted health promotion projects.
§ A partnership project being developed between the NSW Government and the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation in association with senior researchers from medical schools as outlined in Recommendation 8.42.
§ Current practice in NSW Police such as the cross-cultural and alcohol abuse training which are integrated into all relevant police training modules and programs; Vietnamese language training, cultural diversity awareness and use of interpreters provided for officers at the Cabramatta Local Area Command through TAFE.
The Government will continue to support culturally specific workforce development such as:
§ The NSW TAFE qualifications which have components that address alcohol, drugs and cultural diversity issues. This includes: Certificate III in Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drug Work); Certificate IV in Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drug Work); Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drug Work).
§ The drug, alcohol and Aboriginal cultural competence Vocational Training Order Certificate.
§ The NSW Police managed Community Language Assistance Scheme (CALS), whereby a supplementary salary payment is made to officers who use a second language in the course of their regular work. In 2003, CALS supplements were paid to 81 staff. This covered 24 languages and 54 geographic locations. Decisions to grant a CALS stipend is made on the basis of local linguistic and demographic needs.
§ A project, recently commenced, to build the capacity of Pacific Islander community organisations to provide support for families who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems. Developed and managed by the NSW Department of Community Services, the project will assist church and secular community groups to identify the key issues for families and how their organisations can address these issues. Community elders will have an important role in determining both the issues and the strategies to assist families. The project is funded under the Commonwealth/State Strengthening and Supporting Families Coping with Illicit Drug Use Measures of the National Illicit Drug Strategy.
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E. HIGHER AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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Development of programs in universities and TAFE
7.17 The Department of Education and Training ask the NSW Vice Chancellors Committee to consider the development of additional postgraduate level programs in drug and alcohol treatment for professional and clinical staff (that is accessible metropolitan and regional workers. |
Government Response
The NSW Government appreciates that drug and alcohol pre-service training (for students studying medicine, education, social work, psychology and the like) is essential to improve the skills and the number of workers able to treat and help people with drug and alcohol problems. Postgraduate opportunities can also significantly assist in building workforce skills.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will make recommendations to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Drugs and Alcohol in 2005 on cost effective initiatives to encourage development of drug and alcohol training in higher education institutions. This will be done in the context of developing the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda (Rec. 7.3).
The recently established Chapter of Addiction Medicine of the College of Physicians in Australia will generate interest in the drug and alcohol speciality in medical faculties in New South Wales universities. NSW Health will work closely with the Chapter to identify and facilitate undergraduate, postgraduate and professional training in drug and alcohol for clinicians. Initiatives will be considered for funding through the tripartite funding partnership as outlined in Recommendation 7.19.
In addition, current activities will be maintained and strengthened as outlined in Recommendations 3.3 and 3.5.
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector is responding to the need for improved skills in drug and alcohol.
The NSW Department of Education and Training is consulted in the development of nationally endorsed training packages that cover the health and community sectors. All health and community training packages require drug and alcohol content. Furthermore, within the university and VET sector there are a range of specialist courses that address drug and alcohol behaviour (eg. within youth work courses). The Department will continue to promote the value of such courses.
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Training of teachers
7.18 The NSW Government undertake a review of the level and type of training available in the Higher Education Sector on drug education and prevention. It should be assessed if appropriate training in this area be included in all New South Wales pre-service and in-service teacher education programs. |
Government Response
Schools can support the positive context provided by the family and often have a key role in helping young people become aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, as well as preventing their uptake. Schools can also provide help for young people who may be experiencing drug and alcohol use problems.
Training in drug and alcohol issues can be provided to teachers before graduation as part of pre-service training and afterwards through in-service training.
In-service training
The NSW Government funds a comprehensive drug and alcohol education program. Training is provided for teachers to implement this program and use resources in both primary and secondary schools as part of the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) curriculum, and the compulsory Crossroads program for students in Years 11 and 12 in Government schools.
The Government, through the Department of Education and Training, also provides significant in-service training support to teachers, through:
§ access to drug education consultants who provide professional development for staff and respond to individual teachers with advice on drug related issues and policy matters
§ promoting materials on the Department’s internet site to keep teachers up-to-date with current data, trends and research
§ support for the implementation of specific resources.
The Department of Education and Training will continue to provide targeted professional development activities to support teachers to implement new resources, including:
§ Young people and drugs: a guide for school staff to support students: this resource assists school staff with student welfare responsibilities to implement intervention and prevention strategies, and to identify young people who may be experiencing drug use problems, including alcohol misuse. The resource includes a CD-Rom with suggested professional development activities for use by staff. This will be available to schools during 2004.
§ A professional development package on CD-Rom to support culturally specific alcohol and tobacco education. Training and development for primary and secondary teachers will be implemented by state office staff and drug education consultants in areas with high numbers of non-English speaking background students. This will be available to schools later in 2004.
Pre-service training
The adequacy of drug and alcohol education and prevention in pre-service teacher training programs (that is while teachers are training at university) will be considered by the Program Endorsement Subcommittee of the proposed Institute of Teachers. This committee will provide advice to the Minister for Education and Training regarding initial teacher preparation programs.
The Minister for Education and Training will, by mid 2004, request the Chair of the Interim Committee of the NSW Institute of Teachers (ICIT) to include a review of the content of existing higher education drug and alcohol programs, as part of the broader review of teacher preparation.
Such a review could take up to 18 months to complete as it involves a rigorous consultation and analysis of courses and the adequacy of content through the Program Endorsement Committee.
The process involves a partnership arrangement with universities and includes in-depth and ongoing analysis and feedback regarding the appropriateness of the current programs. The ICIT review will form the basis of a recommendation to the Minister regarding the adequacy of drug education and prevention training occurring in pre-service training for teachers.
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F. IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY THROUGH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
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Early intervention
7.20 The need for increased access to early intervention services is considered in conjunction with the recommendations of Working Group 4 Effective Health Care Service Delivery. |
Government Response
Frontline workers, including volunteers and workers in roles that need alcohol/drug knowledge and skill but are not designated for alcohol/drug workers, can be significant in identifying people with alcohol problems and making suitable referrals. Early intervention, in this context, is cost effective, as it can circumvent more significant problems down the track when behaviour is entrenched and more difficult to change.
Professional training that focuses on training for non-specialist workers will be a priority for the Government in considering initiatives proposed in the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda to be completed in 2005 (Recs. 7.3-7.7).
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Training Needs Review conducted in 2000, focused on how general human services and community workers might better manage clients with drug problems.
The findings of this review were implemented through projects which have built sustainability in organisations and workforces as follows:
§ Youth Services Project – involves training in managing challenging behaviour in intoxicated young people, brief interventions and dual diagnosis, and developing publications dealing with alcohol and drug issues for youth workers.
§ Non-Government Ethnic Welfare Agency Training Project – developed and distributed alcohol and drug guidelines cards with implementation training to 137 workers in 14 ethno-specific/multicultural agencies and developed training agreements under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Centre for Languages.
§ Rural Training Scheme – five regions have had targeted workforce development activities to assist drug and alcohol client assessment and referral with over 280 participants from 100 agencies involved in training workshops, post service training for community workers through TAFE, and production of training manuals.
NSW Health has developed guidelines that promote early intervention service delivery. These include:
§ Interagency Guidelines for the Early Intervention, Response and Management of Drug and Alcohol Misuse which were developed following the Drug Summit, and aim to ensure a multi-agency approach to drug and alcohol issues and treatment pathways for non-drug and alcohol services. The guidelines are expected to be released to health services, other agencies, and the non-government sector later in 2004.
§ The Brief Treatment Outcome Measure which serves as a tool for health professionals to be able to monitor drug and alcohol treatment effectiveness and health outcomes.
Responses to Recommendations 3.3, 3.5, and 3.17 and 4.3 also provide information about early intervention.
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Integrated treatment services
7.21 The need for holistic treatment services is considered in conjunction with the resolution of the Working Group 3 Alcohol Dependence Disease and Treatment and Working Group 4 Effective Health Care Service Delivery. |
Government Response
Effective case management of people with alcohol dependence is discussed at Recommendation 3.10, interagency service agreements at Recommendation 3.12 and improving case management for alcohol abuse patients is dealt with at Recommendations 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.14 and 4.25.
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Workers trained to recognise links between alcohol, crime and reflect community concern
7.22 Training needs to recognise the link between alcohol and crime and community concern. |
Government Response
Since the Drug Summit in 1999, the NSW Government has adopted an approach which ensures that the links between drug use and crime, and community concern, are acknowledged in policy.
A number of new approaches have been trialled and adopted in New South Wales, which aim to reduce crime by tackling the underlying causes of offending behaviour. For example, drug diversion programs like the Drug Courts and the Magistrate’s Early Referral Into Treatment Program (MERIT), can reduce drug use and associated criminal behaviour by linking offenders with treatment services. The Government proposes to extend a number of these initiatives to alcohol, as outlined in Section 9 of this report.
Similarly, the Premier’s Department has provided programs to help communities better understand local drug and alcohol issues, take ownership of the issues and their solutions, and to address local causes and impacts. Regional conferences and workshops for participants in community drug action have helped to build the skills of those participating in Community Drug Action Teams. The Government proposes to extend this initiative to alcohol, as outlined in Recommendation 1.5.
The NSW Police Linking Project, as outlined at Recommendation 8.73, is also an important training program linking crime and alcohol in response to community concern.
Workforce development projects which complement these policies and which will help workers to understand the links between alcohol and crime and community concern are outlined in Recommendations 7.8 and 7.10-7.15.
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Teachers trained to recognise alcohol abuse
7.23 The NSW Government revise training strategies of teachers and counsellors to enable them to recognise alcohol abuse. |
Government Response
All NSW Government school and TAFE counsellors have undertaken a three day training course in alcohol and drugs counselling techniques. This training has enabled counsellors to better support students with alcohol and drug problems, and refer them to relevant specialist services. Further training for new counsellors will be provided in 2004.
Drug and alcohol training and support to New South Wales teachers, counsellors and service providers is also undertaken through:
§ the Department of Education and Training’s website which provides workforce development data, trends and research (www.det.nsw.edu.au)
§ the recently revised procedures Protecting and Supporting Children and Young People (a procedures guide for all school staff) which trains Departmental officers to report concerns about possible risk of harm to children or young people from abuse and neglect which may sometimes be linked to the abuse of alcohol or drugs by carers
§ the New South Wales School Link program which trains school counsellors to manage students with depression. In the future, School Link will focus on comorbidity of mental health problems and drug abuse. See also response to Recommendation 7.18.
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Specialist youth workers
7.24 Have specialist youth staff who know about alcohol eg. adolescent mental health workers, not generalist counsellors. |
Government Response
This recommendation is dealt with at Recommendation 3.21.
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Free training for youth workers
7.25 Free training for workers helping people with alcohol problems. |
Government Response
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda to be finalised in 2005, will include a series of practical initiatives to implement drug and alcohol workforce development (Recs. 7.3-7.8). These initiatives will build on the drug and alcohol workforce development activities currently being implemented and funded by the Government, at no cost to the workers themselves, through in-service training programs and non-government sector programs.
For example, the Youth Services Project, funded under the first Commonwealth/State National Illicit Drug Strategy Diversion Agreement, provided sustainable workforce development by training frontline workers to manage challenging behaviour in intoxicated young people, make brief interventions and assist clients with dual diagnosis. The project also developed publications dealing with alcohol and drug issues for youth workers.
Workforce development for volunteers will be addressed in the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda – see Recommendation 7.3.
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G. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO ASSIST ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
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Aboriginal communities: health care provision and training
7.26 The Government establish and provide funding for a community controlled and culturally appropriate training program for awareness, treatment and addiction, aimed at communities and frontline workers, with involvement from Elders and other community experts. Training to be provided by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Aboriginal Health College.
7.27 The Government provide cultural trainers in communities who are able to provide cultural training to enhance the clinical skills of frontline workers involved in alcohol and other drugs.
7.28 The Government provide training to frontline health workers in brief intervention. This should be a mandatory component of training for all primary health care workers and should be aimed at both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers. |
Government Response
The Government response to these recommendations is provided at Recommendations 3.15-3.17.
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Long term funding for training and culturally specific services
7.29 Ensure the provision of long term (5/10/15 year) and additional funding of:
a. education and training of all New South Wales health care workers on drug and alcohol issues amongst Aboriginal people
b. existing drug and alcohol services for Aboriginal people which are known to be effective. |
Government Response
See Recommendations 1.14, 3.24, 4.25 and 7.4.
The NSW Government already devotes very significant public resources to dealing with the problems of drug and alcohol abuse, including specific allocations to NSW Government agencies for drug and alcohol training programs.
This commitment will be reinforced by coordinated drug and alcohol workforce development planning over the next four years. As part of this, each agency will be asked to review the effectiveness and outcomes of all existing alcohol abuse program expenditure, and to consider whether existing resources are optimally allocated. This will cover workforce development strategies as well as programs more generally.
It is anticipated that individual agencies will seek additional funding over the next ten years to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse. Funding bids will be based on the principles espoused by the Summit. New funding will be based on evidence that it will lead to significant and effective outcomes, and be subject to continuous evaluation.
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Evidence based and flexible funding allocation for treatment
7.30 Funding must be tied to health outcomes, and be flexible to changing circumstances at local levels. |
Government Response
The Government is committed to an evidence based approach to funding for alcohol programs. This is in line with current policy in NSW Health which supports outcome based funding.
The Health Outcome Performance Indicators: Measuring the Benefits of What We Do published by the Performance Management Division, NSW Health, in 1998 articulates the outcomes required. This document stipulates that all funded organisations are required to measure not only “how much we do, but also what are the benefits of what we do”.
The NSW Health Operational Guidelines: Non-Government Organisation Grant Program state that all non-government organisations funding must be tied to outcomes. These guidelines apply to the administration and management of the NGO Grants Program and aim to ensure consistent funding practice across New South Wales. Furthermore, these guidelines encourage effective and flexible service provision that is responsive to local and regional community consumer needs.
See also Recommendation 2.2.
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Effective models of culturally specific service delivery
7.31 Models of effective alcohol service delivery be develop and implemented. This would include the uptake of culturally appropriate case management models by all drug and alcohol clinicians in New South Wales. This must be promoted amongst GPs through education about relevant rebates available through Medicare under Enhanced Primary Care. |
Government Response
The NSW Government has a whole-of-government approach when developing and implementing culturally appropriate drug and alcohol case management models for clinicians. See Recommendations 3.8, 3.10, 3.12, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.11-4.14.
GP education
NSW Health actively supports the development of culturally responsive service delivery through their NSW General Practitioner Drug and Alcohol Support Project. Seventeen General Practitioner Liaison Officers work within NSW Area Health Services to ensure General Practitioners are trained to deliver equitable and culturally responsive health services.
The NSW General Practitioner Drug and Alcohol Support Project is being evaluated. The evaluation will be used to assess the impact of the project and to determine its future direction. See also Recommendations 3.3-3.5, 3.10, 3.15-3.17, 4.6 and 4.11, and also 4.5 on Medicare.
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Aboriginal communities, gender and treatment
7.32 Every Area Health Service and Aboriginal community controlled health service must employ a minimum of one male and one female specialist drug and alcohol worker.
7.39 Frontline workers take gender-specific factors into consideration when providing primary health care for Aboriginal clients in drug and alcohol. To be done in a range of settings such as residential rehabilitation, detoxification services, Aboriginal medical services, outreach, across government and NGOs. These models must incorporate culturally appropriate treatment models. |
Government Response
Area Health Services
In order to respond to gender-specific needs, each of the 17 Area Health Services in New South Wales employs at least one male and one female specialist drug and alcohol worker. This practice will continue. For further information regarding gender and women see Recommendations 3.19, 4.13, 4.14, 4.17, 4.20 and 4.21.
Aboriginal community controlled health services
Aboriginal community controlled health services do not necessarily have designated drug and alcohol workers. However, the recently established Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Network will support Aboriginal Medical Services to develop a workforce that can effectively respond to alcohol and drug issues in a culturally effective way.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will review the issues affecting Aboriginal drug and alcohol workers and make appropriate recommendations in developing the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda as outlined in Recommendations 7.3-7.7.
NSW Health will continue to fund 19 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to run drug and alcohol programs for local communities. Generally, this money funds the recruitment of a drug and alcohol counsellor.
This program will be independently reviewed in 2005. The review will address gender employment issues. See also Recommendation 3.8.
Gender and culturally specific services
Consideration is given to a range of culturally relevant factors, including gender, whenever the Aboriginal Workforce Development Unit in NSW Health is developing and planning culturally appropriate services.
Further, the NSW Health Aboriginal Workforce Strategic Plan advocates a coordinated, culturally responsive, state-wide approach to developing the Aboriginal health workforce.
NSW Health is currently refining a framework of principles and protocols for the Aboriginal Cultural Respect and Communication training program which is designed to improve health outcomes, achieve a culturally competent workforce, and ensure the workplace is culturally safe for Aboriginal staff.
Similarly, the Department of Community Services runs a Bridging Cultures Program, which is delivered to all staff, to improve awareness of the needs of Aboriginal families and communities. NSW Health will pilot a similar training program in 2004 in the Department and an Area Health Service. The state-wide training roll-out will commence in late 2004. See Recommendations 3.15 to 3.17.
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Furthering career paths for the Aboriginal drug and alcohol workforce
7.33 The numbers of Aboriginal drug and alcohol specific workers is increased by:
a. NSW Aboriginal Health Partnership identifying and developing career pathways for health professionals
b. TAFE and other entities offering accredited training in drug and alcohol issues specific to Aboriginal people
c. ensuring that funding of Aboriginal community controlled services supports appropriate remuneration of staff. |
Government Response
Aboriginal career pathways
The National Review of Aboriginal Health Worker Training (commissioned in 1998) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce National Strategic Framework 2002 both recognised a shortage of workers and a need to improve the framework for training. The National Strategic Framework made recommendations to address the lack of role clarity and recognition of workers, as well as rectifying structural issues such as recruitment and retention.
The NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Council will refer to these documents and make recommendations in relation to these issues in developing the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda as outlined in Recommendations 7.3-7.7.
In addition, the NSW Health Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Plan will have a specific focus on developing career pathways for target workforces such as Aboriginal people, and rural and remote workforces.
The NSW Aboriginal Health Partnership underpins NSW Health Aboriginal programs and service delivery. The partnership exists at the state and local level and commits NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, Area Health Services and local Aboriginal community controlled health services to working in partnership on programs and services for Aboriginal people. The NSW Aboriginal Health Partnership will underpin Alcohol Summit workforce development initiatives that are targeted at Aboriginal people.
TAFE and other entities
TAFE NSW administers three accredited courses that specifically train the Aboriginal drug and alcohol workforce. Courses include:
§ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Advanced Diploma
§ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Certificate II
§ Aboriginal Studies, Certificate III.
Each of the TAFE courses aims to develop an Aboriginal drug and alcohol workforce that can deliver flexible, culturally appropriate and locally tailored responses to Aboriginal drug and alcohol issues. For detailed information about the broader range of TAFE courses that train the drug and alcohol workforce see the response to Recommendations 3.3-3.5 and 3.17.
Recruitment and Retention of Aboriginal Staff
The development of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda will include research on recruitment and retention, including current and future incentives, to encourage Aboriginal workers in the drug and alcohol field – see Recommendation 7.3.
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Integrated service delivery to address alcohol and homelessness in Aboriginal communities
7.34 The NSW Government request that NSW Health, Department of Community Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice and NSW Police develop integrated models of service delivery to deal with alcohol and homelessness in Indigenous communities |
Government Response
The responses to Recommendation 3.12 and Part J of Section 8 refer to this recommendation.
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Family health, wellbeing and training
7.35 Compulsory cultural education is required for frontline and other workers who come into contact with Aboriginal clients with alcohol and other drug issues. This training can be provided by the following modes: pre-service education, community cultural education, refresher education, and all must then build onto and incorporate local knowledge.
7.36 Increased and enhanced preventive, clinical training is required for all primary health care workers who work with Aboriginal clients with alcohol and other drug issues. This training must encompass the areas of:
a. brief intervention
b. training in holistic assessment
c. and identifying treatment and dependency issues
d. the issues surrounding this training need to incorporate the issues of backfilling and appropriate remuneration.
7.37 Training for Aboriginal Health Workers needs to consider brief intervention; training in holistic assessment; and identifying treatment and dependency with appropriate time away from work to train, with appropriate back filling of positions. |
Government Response
NSW Health has developed the NSW Health Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategic Plan 2003-2007. This will be incorporated into the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda required to be completed in 2005 (Rec. 7.4).
Strategic workforce development actions outlined in this plan will guide the work of Area Health Services and other services in relation to building a strong workforce that has the capacity to address Aboriginal drug and alcohol issues.
For more detailed responses to Recommendations 7.35, 7.36 and 7.37, see responses to Recommendations 3.15, 3.16 and 3.17.
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Drug and alcohol networks
7.38 Appropriate drug and alcohol networks need to be developed which build on partnerships with other agencies; provide debriefing and clinical supervision for Aboriginal workers; with innovative models for health services. |
Government Response
The NSW Government supports a range of drug and alcohol networks that aim to build partnerships and training opportunities for drug and alcohol workers.
The Government provides significant funding to the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA) to provide workforce development for drug and alcohol organisations, including those Aboriginal community organisations which are NADA members such as the Oolong Aboriginal Corporation Inc and the Weigelli Centre Aboriginal Corporation.
In 2003, NADA launched a Workforce Development Resource Kit developed in conjunction with NSW Health. The kit targeting all drug and alcohol sector workers and includes information about implementation of workforce development to support staff and clients who are Aboriginal or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The kit can assist Aboriginal drug and alcohol managers to develop a range of sustainable strategies that address workforce development (eg. retention, professional development and training). Tools in the kit are based on a collection of current best practice cases from a variety of government and non-government agencies, both internationally and nationally.
The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Network (ADAN) which was established in May 2003 between NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW and the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OASTIH). The network provides support to Aboriginal drug and alcohol workers, with the provision of information and training opportunities.
The issue of how to effectively build on these partnerships to provide debriefing and clinical supervision for Aboriginal workers will be reviewed as part of the development of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda.
NSW Health will continue to fund the NSW General Practitioner Network and to support the provision of drug and alcohol care for Aboriginal clients and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
See also Recommendations 7.26, 7.29, 7.32, 7.33 and 7.37.
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Culturally specific workforce development in the justice sector
7.40 Professional training and development for judiciary and police officers on culture and context:
a. better recruitment processes to ensure suitable police officers, and encourage Aboriginal persons to apply
b. more Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers, particularly females.
7.42 Cultural awareness programs and strategies be implemented across the justice system that are properly resourced at the local level. |
Government Response
The NSW Police Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2003-2006 outlines the importance of officers understanding the communities in which they work, and outlines a number of actions which will enhance the cultural awareness and training of officers. A timetable for implementation of actions is included in the document.
Responses to Recommendations 8.44, 8.46, 8.47 and 8.57 deal with recruitment processes, community liaison officers and culturally suitable training in NSW Police.
Cultural awareness programs are also an important element of training in the NSW justice system. For example:
§ all NSW criminal justice agencies provide Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training to their staff
§ the NSW Judicial Commission coordinates cultural awareness sessions for all judges and magistrates in New South Wales
§ NSW Police provide Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training to all new police recruits as part of their foundation training at Goulburn Police College. In 2004 NSW Police will extend the existing Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training at Goulburn Police College to additional competency based training models. This cultural training will be required of all NSW Police undertaking a range of policing training courses.
While training in justice agencies is undertaken, there are variations in content, intensity and coverage of the workforce. This issue will be considered in the development of the NSW Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Planning Agenda and complementary agency plans in 2005.
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Managing alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour
7.41 More local facilities and training in areas of need be established – for ongoing rehabilitation centres such as Safe Houses, Cooling-off Houses and Aboriginal Intervention Workers. |
Government Response
The Government provides a range of drug and alcohol treatment programs and rehabilitation services. The workforce development of treatment programs for Aboriginal people is undertaken collaboratively with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services and community representatives. Additional details regarding training and rehabilitation, and Safe House initiatives can be found in the response to Recommendations 3.8, 3.18, 9.29 and 9.33.
The matter of workforce development training initiatives for Aboriginal intervention workers is addressed in the response to Recommendations 3.15, 3.16 and 3.17.
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