JOB DESCRIPTIONS, TRAINING, WORKFORCE

Summary of guidance from the NTA

The following workforce initiatives have been built by the Natioanl Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, to develop professional skills of existing staff and increase numbers working in the substance- misuse adult-treatment sector.

These include:

·         a joint workforce development plan (pdf) to support partnerships in workforce planning

·         a national training needs analysis of all drug treatment sector workers (2003)

·         a skills audit of drug and alcohol workers working with young people

·         competency-based training modules for commissioners, managers and practitioners

·         staff development toolkit for drug and alcohol residential services

·         staff development toolkit for drug and alcohol services

·        job descriptions aligned to DANOS

·         workforce strategy template (Word)

·         an induction reading list (pdf) for new JCMs.

·         Joint commissioning development programme. The NTA supports an initiative designed and organised by the Institute of Public Care at Oxford Brooks University, which offers a certificate in commissioning and purchasing adult substance-misuse care in England   

·         Taking a Competency Approach to Fair Recruitment in the Substance Misuse Field. This aims to set examples of good practice into the framework of recruitment and in particular show how the National Occupational Standards can be used throughout the process. It also builds on previous publications such as the Staff Development Toolkit for Drug and Alcohol Services produced by the National Treatment Agency.

With a strong emphasis on fair recruitment and on practical solutions, the aim is to promote a consistent approach in the field and to encourage best practice.