Recent research has shown the increase in complex client presentations at drug and alcohol non government services.  Complex needs such as co-exisiting drug and alcohol and mental health issues, cognitive impairment and / or contact with the criminal justice system are just some of the complex needs drug and alcohol workers are presented with. It is the interaction between these multiple issues that creates a more challanging situation for the client and therefore an increased challenge for the worker and service system. 

NADA Practice Enhancement Progam

The NADA Practice Enhancement Program (PEP) was funded in 2010 by NSW Ministry of Health Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Office. The aim of the program to support NADA member services to increase their capacity to respond to the needs of clients presenting with drug and alcohol or drug and alcohol and mental health issues and cognitive impairment (including acquired brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and intellectual disability)  and/or criminal justice contact.

To date, the program has included member and stakeholder consultation, service practice enhancement seeding grants,  free training to all NADA members, networking forums and resource production.

For more information on the PEP Project click here,  download the Background Information report or the PEP Independent Final Evaluation Report.

For more information on criminal justice issues and the drug and alcohol sector click here to see the Criminal Justice page or the NO BARS website.    

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Resources

Useful Contacts and Services

This page contains a list of services working with a range of complex needs clients in Australia.  Services include acquired brain injury, intellectual disability, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and criminal justice service provider specialists.  Service overviews highlight which services provide training, who carrys out research, and those who produce resources for workers clients and the community.

Working with Complex Clients Resources

This page contains a list of factsheets, brochures, research and other publications relevant to working with cmplex needs clients including acquired brain injury, intellectual disability, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and criminal justice clients.  The list of resources is not exhaustive and we encourage you to contact us if you would like to suggest relevant resources for this page.

Training in Working with Complex Needs Clients

There are a range of training providers spacialising in complex needs area.  Access the online training directory - complex needs training stream for more inforamtion or click here to access information on NADA Practice Enhancement events including NADA hosted training events.

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