Drug User to Drug Worker Addiction Workers Training Project Catriona Gibson AWTP Co-ordinator
Jan 31, 2016
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