Drug User to Drug Worker Addiction Workers Training Project

Drug User to Drug Worker Addiction Workers Training Project

Catriona Gibson

AWTP Co-ordinator

Addiction Workers Training Project

Employment and training in social care

Work placements

SVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care

Ongoing training and development

Accessing employment opportunities

AWTP Outcomes 2005-20072005

9 of 11 starts completed; 8 in work

2006

13 of 15 completed; 12 in work

2007

18 of 20 to complete by December 2007;

10 currently have job offers / are in work.

Who Are the AWTP Trainees?

Information from Interim Report of AWTP Evaluation, FMR Research

Demographics & Home Life

Average age 35.4 years.Age range = 24 - 49.

1/3 of trainees female, 2/3 male10% – 20% self-disclosed as having a

disabilityAll white Scottish or white-other10% - 30% had children living with them

full time.

Prior Homelessness & Police Contact

77% of trainees perceived themselves to have been homeless at some point in their lives.

93% had been in trouble with the police and nearly half had been in prison at some point in their lives.

What Do People Get Out Of AWTP?

Trainees’ Expectations of AWTP

Turn life around

Gain a qualification

Increase confidence

Help choose the right field to work in

Enjoyable work with service users & staff

Trainee Concerns 2007

“I did alright when I was at primary school but moving onto secondary school, I was never there and that is the last time I have done anything like that.”

“I’m a bit worried that maybe I’ll feel a bit uncomfortable if there’s people in the placements that I know from before.”

Trainee Concerns 2007

“I was worried about going to go onto a wage, I’m staying with my mum and it would effect her rent rebate and council tax and all that.”

“My family thought maybe I was taking too much on by doing too much too soon.”

Trainees’ Reflections 2006

Less of a problem than expectedCollege workPast being brought upFinancial pressuresOrganising and paying for childcare

Mixed response, i.e. some people found difficultFull time routineWork situations which were hard to deal with

More of a problem than expectedFamily / personal problems

Feedback from Placements

Good communication skills

Knowledge of addictions

Supportive and empathic

Contribute well to project

Able to handle routine of full time work

Noted importance of gaining a qualification

More Information

Scottish Drugs Forum0141 221 1175

catrionag@sdf.org.uk www.sdf.org.uk