Drugs and alcohol workforce action plan 2023 to 2026
Sets out the key actions we will deliver over the next three years to address challenges experienced by the drugs and alcohol sector's workforce.
Annex A: Actions Framework
The following table provides a breakdown of all actions planned, or in progress, that the Scottish Government will seek to support delivery of. These are organised under each of the five pillars of Plan, Attract, Train, Employ and Nurture.
| Overarching aim | Actions | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Whole system, evidence-based planning to better understand the workforce we have and plan better for the workforce needed to deliver drugs and alcohol services that our communities need. | Completed: 1. The Scottish Government has undertaken and published the Alcohol and Drugs Workforce: Mixed-Methods Research Compendium. |
Completed |
Next Steps: 2. We will undertake a comprehensive workforce mapping exercise which will accurately articulate the scope of Scotland’s drugs and alcohol workforce. |
Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
| 3. We will build upon the workforce mapping exercise to support improved workforce planning and service design. | Tranche 2 (2024/25) | |
| 4. We will improve drugs and alcohol workforce data capture. | Tranche 2 (2024/25) |
| Overarching aim | Actions | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Ensure careers in the drugs and alcohol sector are attractive, with inclusive and diverse routes to recruitment, benefitting from different lived experiences and where all are respected, empowered and valued for their work. | In Progress: 5. The Scottish Government has made, and will continue to make, multi-year funding available to drugs and alcohol services. |
Ongoing |
Next Steps: 6. We will capitalise on all opportunities to raise awareness of the lifesaving work undertaken by those employed in the drugs and alcohol sector, ensuring that they are afforded equal status with colleagues in other settings. |
Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
| 7. We will improve pathways in to the drugs and alcohol sector and seek to improve understanding and knowledge of substance use amongst the potential future workforce. | Tranche 3 (2025/26) |
| Overarching aim | Actions | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| The drugs and alcohol workforce is supported to develop the required skills to deliver effective services with opportunities for career progression, whilst embracing new technologies and evidence-based approaches. | In Progress: 8. The Scottish Government will continue to support the delivery of workforce training across the five key areas identified in the ‘Changing Lives’ Report. |
Ongoing |
| 9. We will support the development of a single Online Pathway to communicate and signpost training opportunities to the entire drugs and alcohol workforce, regardless of sector. | Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
Next Steps: 10. We will continue to progress training opportunities, ensuring that services are well informed and fully empowered to support the mental health needs of people who use drugs and alcohol. |
Ongoing | |
| 11. As part of a wider programme of work to better integrate services, we will develop and implement new operational protocols which will detail how mental health and substance use services should work together to provide high quality care. | Ongoing | |
| 12. We will expand the existing TPTIC network and recruit a National Lead specialist post with experience in substance use and trauma-informed practice. | Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
| 13. We will work with partners to support the development of competencies for workers who care for people who use drugs and alcohol. | Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
| 14. We will work with partners to identify key training opportunities for the drugs and alcohol workforce. | Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
| 15. We will work with partners to support effective continuous career development for the drugs and alcohol workforce. | Tranche 3 (2025/26) | |
| 16. As per Action 60 of the ‘Changing Lives’ report, we will support the development of standards and guidance for all services that use peer support, ensuring workers are appropriately valued and have career progression opportunities, in line with Fair Work principles. | Tranche 3 (2025/26) |
| Overarching aim | Actions | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Develop a more resilient and stable workforce where staff are appreciated and rewarded for the work that they do, so that we retain people who want to progress and stay within the workforce. | In Progress: 17. MAT funding has allowed the Scottish Government to support additional ADP recruitment. |
Ongoing |
18. The Scottish Government will continue to support the additional annual recruitment of up to 20 additional Addiction/Recovery Worker Training Programme trainees through investment of £480,000 per year for the remainder of this parliament. |
Ongoing | |
Next Steps: 19. We will support participants with lived and living experience of using drugs and alcohol to enter and sustain employment. |
Ongoing | |
| 20. We will support organisations and professions to develop pathways to support people with lived and living experience to enter and pursue careers within a workforce which is inclusive, diverse and reflective of the communities that it cares for and supports. | Tranche 1 (2023/24) |
| Overarching aim | Actions | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| The drugs and alcohol workforce is valued, empowered, supported, and listened to. | In Progress: 21. The Scottish Government will continue to support positive workforce mental health and wellbeing through a range of national initiatives. |
Ongoing |
| 22. We will continue to monitor and highlight any ongoing practice which can promote workforce wellbeing. | Ongoing | |
Next Steps: 23. PHS will capture the views of the workforce through an online survey. |
Ongoing | |
| 24. We will encourage all to utilise existing resources which can support positive staff wellbeing. | Ongoing | |
| 25. We will utilise all opportunities to promote the vital lifesaving work undertaken by those working in the drugs and alcohol sector. | Ongoing | |
| 26. We will publish a guiding principles document to inform organisations on how they can provide effective support to employees with lived and living experience. | Tranche 1 (2023/24) | |
| 27. We will explore how the principles of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 should inform service design going forward. | Tranche 2 (2024/25) |
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