1. Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Isobel Nisbet, Specialist Social Work Adviser – Drug Policy Unit – Scottish Government 24 September 2014

2. Purpose: To inform you of work being undertaken in relation to supporting people with drug and alcohol problems. To inform you of work being undertaken in relation to supporting people with drug and alcohol problems. To seek your support in reviewing drug and alcohol education being delivered within the HNC programme To seek your support in reviewing drug and alcohol education being delivered within the HNC programme

3. Background Policies - Road to Recovery, Changing Scotlands relationship with alcohol 2010 - ‘Supporting the development of Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug Workforce’ sets out the actions required to ensure Scotland has in place a competent, confident and valued drug and alcohol workforce which delivers improved outcomes for individuals, families and communities. 2010 - Research commissioned by Scottish Government (Drug Policy Unit), ADSW (Associate Directors of Social Work, IRISS (Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services), to determine the contribution social work and social care make to supporting people with drug and/or alcohol problems 2010 - Research commissioned by Scottish Government (Drug Policy Unit), ADSW (Associate Directors of Social Work, IRISS (Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services), to determine the contribution social work and social care make to supporting people with drug and/or alcohol problems

4. 2011 Research Identified: That “Social workers are ideally placed to offer a holistic approach to understanding the relationships between the person’s substance use, their family and community”. “There are a range of educational barriers at agency and formal training/education level”; and, for decades social work and social care staff have received very little training or support to develop their skills, knowledge and values in relation to substance misuse”. “There are a range of educational barriers at agency and formal training/education level”; and, for decades social work and social care staff have received very little training or support to develop their skills, knowledge and values in relation to substance misuse”. 2012 - Appointment of specialist adviser to strengthen Scottish Government’s engagement with social work and social care and take forward workforce development http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/254429/0110090.pdf

5. Progression of work Working with: Scottish Social Services Council Scottish Social Services Council Education providers Education providers Local authorities Local authorities BASW BASW Research Research Have Undertaken audits Have Undertaken audits

6. Your support Large percentage of workforce social care staff Large percentage of workforce social care staff Advise of best way to capture what drug and alcohol education is delivered to social care staff within the HNC programmes Advise of best way to capture what drug and alcohol education is delivered to social care staff within the HNC programmes