An evidence-based introduction to writing effective, clinically relevant and legally compliant case notes for the AOD sector, presented by Greg Coman.
NOTE: This online training is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation in an AOD role.
Date: Wednesday 12th November 2025
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Venue: Online
Register: here
Cost: Free
Enquiries: tp@turningpoint.org.au
This training aims to enable alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers to understand the benefits of writing effective case notes for them, their clients, and their workplace. It will provide the basis for the development of essential skills required for effective case note writing.
The online workshop is pitched at an introductory/ beginner level, but previous participants with some case note writing experience have reported it to be a helpful refresher. It provides: an understanding of what case notes are; an understanding of the importance and benefits of case notes; guidelines for the content and style of case notes; and opportunities to learn and practice effective case note writing. Videos are used throughout to illustrate points. Participants will be introduced to templates they can consider using in their clinical practice.
Greg Coman PhD is a Counselling Psychologist with over thirty years experience working in a wide range of mental health settings. His tertiary qualifications reflect his interests in stress, trauma and problem gambling. Greg undertook his Master of Science degree in psychology, examining stress and coping amongst Australian police personnel. His PhD thesis examined the efficacy of group telephone counselling for people with gambling difficulties. He has worked as a psychologist in community health, employee assistance programs and military settings. He has extensive experience in the adult mental health education and training environment and is passionate about providing training to assist clinicians in their work with clients.
NOTE: This online training is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation in an AOD role.
*To enrol, change ‘Enrol Now’ to ‘I’m Going’. Check if you’ve enrolled correctly under ‘My Courses’
This is a 2-day training.
Day 1: Wednesday 4 March 2026, 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Day 2: Thursday 5 March 2026, 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Location: Online
Description: An entry-level introduction to harm reduction principles and best practice, delivered by peer trainers from Harm Reduction Victoria. Across 7 modules (delivered over two half-days online), you’ll gain a basic understanding of key topics and learn directly from people with living experience about what people who use drugs really want and need from services. There is an activity that needs to be completed before attending the second day of training. Participants will receive details via email the week before the training.
DAY ONE – Wednesday 4 March 2026, 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Harm Reduction 101
- Understand the history of harm reduction in Victoria & Australia.
- Understand the National Drug Strategy policy of Harm Minimisation and how Harm Reduction fits into this policy.
- Understanding the Substance, Set and Setting principles as a way to understand an individual’s drug experience.
Safer Injecting
- Understand safer injecting practices, including injecting sites; using a tourniquet, and infection & Blood Borne Virus risk.
- Understand the circulatory system and the difference between veins and arteries.
- Understand through “hands-on” demonstration the drug mixing up the process and the transmission risk points during the process.
Drug Overdose & Adverse Effects
- Understand some of the common myths around opioid overdose.
- Be able to recognize the signs of overdose and of actions to take in different circumstances
- Understand when and how to intervene in overdose situations.
Naloxone Administration
- Understand where to obtain naloxone for clients
- Understand the different formulations of naloxone available
- Understand the difference between someone who is ‘on the nod’ or overdosing and the appropriate time to administer naloxone.
DAY TWO – Thursday 5 March 2026, 9:30AM – 12:30PM
Introduction to Pharmacotherapy
- Be aware of the pharmacotherapy options available to PWUD in Victoria.
- Understand how to access pharmacotherapy in Victoria.
- Be aware of Victoria’s “broken system”
Working Effectively with people who use drugs
- Understand barriers to effectively working with people who use drugs (PWUD), in particular, people who inject drugs (PWID)
- Understand and challenge the ‘gateway drug’ theory.
- Understand common myths about PWID, the effects of criminalisation, and the stigma on the health of PWUD
Stigma & Discrimination
- Understand how stigma and discrimination act as a barrier in healthcare settings.
- Understand how frameworks of morality and social discourse frame our understanding of drug use.
- Understand how we can all contribute to eliminating stigma and discrimination in ourselves and our services
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed under the Victorian AOD Traineeship initiative.
Terms & Conditions
If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
ENROLMENTS HAVE CLOSED
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues (6 October 2025 – 5 December 2025)
Turning Point (RTO 6948) has been contracted by the Department of Health (DH) Victoria to provide competency learning and assessment opportunities to the Victorian AOD workforce.
Eligibility: To enrol in a unit of competency you must work in a publicly funded organisation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector and be an Australian Citizen/Permanent Residence or New Zealand Citizen.
Cost: There is no cost to complete this unit of competency if you meet the selection criteria.
Details
This is only for the unit of competency CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
Delivery: Online and virtual classes. You must be available to attend the following:
- Wednesday 15 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 22 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- Wednesday 5 November 2025, 9.30 – 1:00PM
- In addition to the above, you must also be available for 1 hour between 9:00AM – 4:00PM to complete a live simulation between Monday 27 Oct – Thursday 30 Oct (allocated day and time will be arranged with your trainer and assessor
Application process:
This is an expression of interest only. Apply using the registration link below. You will be notified via email if you have been successful in securing a place and you will be required to accept your offer by a due date.
Enrolment to Elevate and submitting your registration does not guarantee enrolment into the unit of competency.
Contact Student Administration – tp@turningpoint.org.au if you have any questions.
*To enrol, change ‘Enrol Now’ to ‘I’m Going’. Check if you’ve enrolled correctly under ‘My Courses’
Date: Thursday, 14 August 2026 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Online
Description:
This training will be facilitated by VACCHO. The training encompasses, and builds on, cultural awareness content by providing considerations and advice to implement cultural safety considerations into practice. Participant learning and understanding are enhanced by the personal stories and the lived experience of our facilitators while exploring Aboriginal identities, cultures, and history.
Session topics:
- The historical and intergenerational impacts of colonisation and policies and how they have shaped Aboriginal culture, peoples and Communities
- Aspects of Aboriginal identities, culture and protocols
- Fostering respectful relationships with Aboriginal peoples and Communities
- Foundational skills and strategies for implementing cultural safety into practice
The training aims to provide the necessary foundational knowledge to enable participants to:
- Develop a greater understanding of Aboriginal cultural and social perspectives
- Engage meaningfully with Aboriginal peoples and Communities
- Strengthen existing relationships and integrate cultural safety into practice
- Identify ways to embed and apply learnings in professional and personal contexts.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded AOD service, including LLE workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other community sectors such as Family Violence, Homelessness and Mental Health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
No shows will be charged a $50 late cancellation fee. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
This workshop is now full. We are unable to accept further registrations.
Date: Tuesday, 23 September 2025, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Online
Description:
This is a practical masterclass for emerging AOD sector leaders to build the skills, strategies and confidence needed to develop standout grant submissions for Department of Health funding. This training is funded for emerging leaders (i.e. team leaders, coordinators, project workers) in the AOD sector responsible for, or who contributed to, developing submissions to the Department of Health.
By the end of this masterclass participants will be able to:
- Draft a strong funding ‘pitch’ that supports cohesive and successful grant writing.
- Address the key components of government grant applications.
- Recognise and avoid common pitfalls (based on ‘real world’ Department of Health feedback).
- Apply strategies for writing clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
- Use AI tools ethically and effectively in grant writing.
- Strengthen your organisations funding culture and learn how to turn an unsuccessful submission into future success
Facilitators:
- Dr Allison Salmon (she/her), Director, The Centre for Impact & Change – For over 25 years, Dr Allison Salmon has driven meaningful change in health policies, systems, and practices through evidence-based innovation. Allison brings extensive expertise in developing compelling funding submissions, crafting influential government proposals, and effectively pitching strategic initiatives to diverse stakeholders. Her proven track record includes successfully securing funding from government bodies and philanthropic organisations by developing persuasive submissions grounded in robust evidence and clear strategic alignment. With deep experience working directly with government agencies, Allison effectively navigates policy environments, influences health priorities, and aligns interventions with governmental objectives. Her skill in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and conducting comprehensive gap analyses ensures her submissions and pitches resonate deeply with decision-makers. Allison’s specialist expertise spans alcohol and other drug policy, including harm reduction strategies such as drug consumption spaces, overdose prevention, and tobacco control.
- Lucy Demant (she/her), Health Promotion Lead, The Centre for Impact & Change – For nearly twenty years, Lucy has been working to improve outcomes for children, young people and the community. Lucy is a skilled writer with deep expertise in competitive grant and submission writing for government and philanthropy, writing for web, resource development and values-based messaging. A strategic thinker she has led major workforce development and capacity-building projects and delivered complex programs at scale. She is a natural collaborator, skilled in facilitating groups, cultivating sophisticated partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders. Lucy brings her management coaching expertise to The Centre’s services – she is adept at coaching managers at all levels, honing their practice, and creating high-performing, cohesive teams. Lucy’s specialist areas include the alcohol and other drug sector, youth mental health and education, with a strong foundation in health promotion, prevention and early intervention.
Registrations have closed as the workshop is at capacity.
Please note: Only participants who clearly meet the above criteria will be offered a place. A maximum of two participants per organisation can be accepted.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is funded for emerging leaders (i.e. team leaders, coordinators, project workers) in the AOD sector responsible for, or who contributed to, developing submissions to the Department of Health.
Who is not eligible?
Students, interns, workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
Registrations have closed. Check if you’ve enrolled correctly under ‘My Courses’
Description:
This training aims to support AOD workers to engage and include families when supporting clients. Single Session Family Consultation (SSFC) offers timely, accessible support to all family members while retaining a strong therapeutic relationship. In keeping with single session thinking, it enables workers to make the most of each encounter with families.
**Please ensure you can commit to the package below before enrolling.
Training package:
- Pre-requisite: Participants must complete a self-paced learning before attending the online training session. You will have approximately 6 weeks prior to the online training session to complete this at your own time (generally takes about 3 hours).
- In-person training session: Thursday 2 October 2025, 9:30AM – 1:30PM @ The Bouverie Centre 8 Gardiner Street, Brunswick VIC 3056
- Optional online consultation: Thursday 30 October 2025 – Participants will have the opportunity to attend an optional 1.5 hours online consultation 4 weeks after the training. This would take the form of a facilitated group supervision to explore your experience in applying SSFC in your practice.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of SSFC, you will be able to:
- Understand the Single Session Thinking and Family Consultation frameworks that underpin SSFC
- Convene, conduct and undertake follow-up as part of SSFC
- Address challenging situations in sessions with families
- Identify how you can incorporate SSFC into your practice
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service including peer workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other sectors (i.e. homelessness, mental health) and workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend.
Email elevate@vaada.org.au at least 24 hours before the training to cancel you registration.
*To enrol, change ‘Enrol Now’ to ‘I’m Going’. Check if you’ve enrolled correctly under ‘My Courses’
Description:
This training aims to support AOD workers to engage and include families when supporting clients. Single Session Family Consultation (SSFC) offers timely, accessible support to all family members while retaining a strong therapeutic relationship. In keeping with single session thinking, it enables workers to make the most of each encounter with families.
**Please ensure you can commit to the package below before enrolling.
Training package:
- Pre-requisite: Participants must complete a self-paced learning before attending the online training session. You will have approximately 6 weeks prior to the online training session to complete this at your own time (generally takes about 3 hours).
- Online training session: Wednesday 20 August 2025 @ 9:30AM – 1:30PM
- Optional online consultation: Thursday 25 September 2025 @ 10:30AM – 12:00PM – Participants will have the opportunity to attend an optional online consultation 6 weeks after the training. This would take the form of a facilitated group supervision to explore your experience in applying SSFC in your practice.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of SSFC, you will be able to:
- Understand the Single Session Thinking and Family Consultation frameworks that underpin SSFC
- Convene, conduct and undertake follow-up as part of SSFC
- Address challenging situations in sessions with families
- Identify how you can incorporate SSFC into your practice
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service including peer workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other sectors (i.e. homelessness, mental health) and workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend.
Email elevate@vaada.org.au at least 24 hours before the training to cancel you registration.
Date: Thursday, 26th February 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Online
Description:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one of the key practice skills you need for effective alcohol and other drug treatment. This interactive workshop offers an engaging and practical introduction to CBT and makes CBT meaningful in day to day practice. Improve your understanding of CBT theory and practice, learn a comprehensive CBT framework, and develop skills in tailoring strategies and treatment for different client presentations.
Key learning outcomes:
- Gain core knowledge and clinical skills in different types of behavioural and cognitive therapies
- Understand the CBT approach to assessment, formulation, brief interventions and treatment planning
- Apply knowledge and practice of key alcohol and other drug specific CBT interventions
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed under the AOD Traineeship Program.
Who is not eligible?
Anyone not employed under the AOD Traineeship Program, workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health, non-supervisors and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
Date: Wednesday, 6th May 2026, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Location: In-person, Melbourne
Cost: $80 + booking fee
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Description
This is a full day workshop with Jen Thompson, a psychotherapist and trainer passionate about creating welcoming, hopeful, and trauma informed service systems.
Trauma Responsive Practice is foundational training for AOD and Mental Health workers that builds on the Introduction to Trauma Informed Care e-learning.
This workshop will explore the following concepts and will bring them to life with experiential exercises and discussion:
- Creating safety and the felt experience of safety
- Understanding trauma in the context of substance use
- Bringing body awareness into our work
- Understanding trauma informed care principles and applying to our work
- Understanding Polyvagal Theory
- The Zone of fabulousness
- Collective Care and Solidarity Teams
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) and Mental Health service including peer workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships and AOD/MH workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration at least 24 hours before the cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Date: Tuesday, 17th March 2026, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Location: Online
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Description
This is a full day workshop with Jen Thompson, a psychotherapist and trainer passionate about creating welcoming, hopeful, and trauma informed service systems.
Trauma Responsive Practice is foundational training for AOD and Mental Health workers that builds on the Introduction to Trauma Informed Care e-learning.
This workshop will explore the following concepts and will bring them to life with experiential exercises and discussion:
- Creating safety and the felt experience of safety
- Understanding trauma in the context of substance use
- Bringing body awareness into our work
- Understanding trauma informed care principles and applying to our work
- Understanding Polyvagal Theory
- The Zone of fabulousness
- Collective Care and Solidarity Teams
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) and Mental Health service including peer workers.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please ensure you have clearance from your line manager to attend. If you cannot attend, cancel your registration at least 24 hours before the cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.
No shows will be charged a $50 cancellation fee.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
