Drugs & Alcohol National Occupational Standards launched

Skills for Health has launched the revised National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Drugs & Alcohol workers.

The Standards were developed by Skills for Health as part of a UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) funded project and provide guidance on good practice for those working in substance use services across the health, social care and justice sectors.

NOS can be used for a variety of workforce activities to support employers and employees, examples include creating role profiles and job descriptions, developing education and training programmes, services design and delivery and a range of workforce development activities.

The Drugs & Alcohol NOS (often referred to as DANOS) are widely used by substance use workers as part of qualifications, training and development programmes and role development for both substance use workers and service user support workers.

Carole Sharma, Chair of the project Steering Group and CEO of the Federation of Drugs & Alcohol Professionals (FDAP) said: “the continued development of competent practitioners, volunteers, managers and commissioners in the substance use sector is crucial for the delivery of high quality effective services which meets the need of the individuals and communities we serve. FDAP is committed to promoting the use of National Occupational Standards such as DANOS to underpin workforce development within the sector”.

Although the Standards are not mandatory it is envisaged that they will be adopted and developed as a powerful resource for those delivering a skilled and high-quality adult substance use services.