Drug strategy

Workforce Planning - Overview and Strategy

The purpose of workforce development is to ensure that there is a sufficient number of competent staff to deliver the objectives of the Drug Strategy, and to ensure that substance misuse is mainstreamed into the work of all in the substance misuse and all related sectors.

Workforce Development Plan

The joint National Treatment Agency and Home Office Workforce Development Plan (new window) sets out the cross-governemnt programme of work to achieve a sustainable approach to workforce planning in the substance misuse field.

The plan focuses on three key themes: increasing the capacity of the substance misuse workforce, through recruitment and retention; improving competence and career pathways; and mainstreaming substance misuse knowledge and skills.

Recruitment

There are two approaches to increasing capacity: the first focuses on recruitment; the second to improving retention. Establishing clear routes of entry to the sector is crucial, and may include building on apprenticeship schemes, working with partners in higher education, or improving recruitment practice.

Documents and resources

• Skills for Health - Whole Systems Approach: Drug and Alcohol Sector (new window) is a report of findings from research conducted to produce an occupational map of the sector and to establish role profiles, which can assist in recruitment to the sector.
• The NTA Recruitment and Retention Briefing Paper (new window) is designed to assist managers of drug treatment services in developing effective management policies.
• The Sussex DAATs recruitment site (new window) offers an example of good practice in recruitment.
• A range of role profiles (new window) are available, which are a useful starting point in developing job descriptions.
• This guide to taking a competency-based approach to recruitment in the sector and associated appendices promotes a consistent approach to recruitment and encourages best practice.

Competence

A broad range of workers have a key role to play in addressing substance misuse. All those whose work brings them into contact with vulnerable people should have at least a basic knowledge and understanding of substance misuse.

Documents and resources

• DANOS (new window) is a suite of occupational standards for all those working in the sector. The Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals (new window) has published a guide to DANOS.
• The NTA staff development toolkit (new window) provides guidance on staff development for drug and alcohol services.
• The Improving Quality of Training (new window) manual provides guidance and tools to assist in improving the quality of substance misuse training.
• The Learning and Skills Council (new window) can provide information on training for all sectors.
• A study was conducted to find the most effective course to address training needs for the substance misuse sector and found this to be the City and Guilds Progression Award in Community Justice (new window). This paper provides details of the approach taken to ensure availability of the course and examines its success in meeting training needs.
• The competence framework (new window) is outlined on this page, including information on national workforce targets and the demonstration of competence.
• An updated occupational map (new window) for substance misuse is available, and is relevant for all who work in the substance misuse sector. The map can inform the development and implementation of workforce plans and inform those who shape learning and development provision.
• Be A Better Manager (new window) is an online resource which links to the National Occupational Standards for managers and leaders and which contain practical resources for those in the voluntary, community and charity sector.

Mainstreaming

The successful delivery of the Drug Strategy requires that colleagues in related sectors recognise the contribution they have to make and incorporate substance misuse into basic and continuing professional development.

Documents and resources

• Skills for Health competency-based package (new window).
• The NTA (new window) can provide information on a range of issues for those in the health sector.
• The Youth Justice Board's paper, Key Elements of Effective Practice - Substance Misuse (new window), provides information on effective practice for those in the youth justice field.