Workforce development is a broad term used to describe the range of ways that services can learn and grow.
A process of workforce development involves finding ways to improve current practice and reinforce best practice through strategies such as:
This organisational capacity measurement tool will help you to identify how your service can improve its work on AOD issues.
AOD Organisational Capacity Measurement Tool
Use this checklist to identify gaps and barriers to providing an AOD service for young people.
Policies
Does your service have adequate written guidelines / policies on what to do if a young person …
attends your service under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
has harmful AOD use
has a suspected drug overdose
displays challenging behaviour at your service
has possession / dealing of drugs on your premises
Does your service have adequate written guidelines / policies about:
duty of care
harm minimisation
client safety
worker safety
parental contact
confidentiality in relation to parental contact
Referral:
Does your service have an up to date list of local or regional AOD services, to which you can refer young people to?
Do staff network with local AOD service providers?
Training & professional opportunities
Do staff receive training & professional development opportunities about:
alcohol and other drugs and their effects
stages of change
motivational interviewing
solution focused therapy
managing challenging behaviours
First Aid
Do staff receive adequate and supportive supervision or mentoring which allows them to talk about they work with young people on AOD issues and how they can improve their work?
Staffing, volunteers & management:
Does your service provide an orientation to staff, volunteers and management about AOD issues and the role of your service in addressing AOD with young people?
Resources:
Does your service have written information for young people about AOD issues, which promotes harm minimisation?
contents list / about the package / quick feedback / previous page / next page
Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
