Turning Point Finalist for Industry Collaboration Award

30 Aug 2022

Turning Point is excited to announce that our team is a finalist for the ‘Industry Collaboration Award’ at the 2022 Victorian Training Awards.

Industry-Collaboration-Award

Training program with SHARC and YSAS

Turning Point has partnered with Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) and Youth Support Advocacy Service (YSAS) to create a training program and delivery model that aims to upskill the alcohol and other drug (AOD) workforce to improve the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities adversely affected by alcohol, drugs and gambling.

The training program was created in response to the Victorian Government funding a workforce development program for 100 additional AOD workers due to the increased demand on AOD services following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turning Point was selected as the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to deliver this training. Working alongside SHARC and YSAS we have established a co-design and co-delivery model which enables the trainers to co-construct the youth AOD client service experience, to suit the context of learning.

“By utilising our collective perspectives, we have created an authentic AOD learning environment with enhanced resources,” said Strategic Lead, Workforce Development at Turning Point Fay Staios.

Program aims to help young people

This collaborative training program aims to increase awareness of issues that directly affect youth accessing AOD treatment, better engagement with clients, increased compassion and understanding which decreases stigma and shame.

“Aspects of the YSAS delivery was to expose trainees to AOD interventions and treatments that were relevant to young people rather than providing services in the same way as adults. SHARC was able to provide trainees with models of practice including the perspective of people living with addiction,” Staios said.

“This heightened awareness of and sensitivity to the issues for young people accessing treatment led to more compassionate and effective engagement, which decreased the shame and stigma associated with AOD use.”

“We are very proud of the work we have done with SHARC and YSAS as we all share a common vision to improve the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities adversely affected by alcohol, drugs and gambling through the training of a high functioning AOD workforce.”

The 68th Victorian Training Awards will be held in September this year.