This is a funded 6-day training delivered by SHARC, for existing peer workers.
Dates: 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th April 2025, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM each day.
Location: Online
Description:
Peer workers, like in any professional role need quality standardised training and ongoing professional development. This comprehensive 5-day training developed through extensive research and consultation, provides a vital knowledge base for peer workers. It ensures that the peer workforce have consistent and standardised training.
This course is specifically designed to provide practical knowledge and skills for existing and emerging peer workers in a contemporary, rapidly growing and developing lived experience workforce. It focusses entirely on how to provide services within formalised settings within the scope of the peer work role.
Key learning outcomes:
- Understand the fundamental qualities, values and concepts that underpin peer work.
- Be equipped with knowledge, principles, practices and skills to apply better practice.
- Apply the key components of the role with a focus on the peer-to-peer relationship and practicing purposeful disclosure when sharing lived experience stories.
- Understand power imbalances within services and how to minimise this.
- Understand ethical practice, boundaries, inclusion and cultural competence.
- Understand service systems, different working environments and legislative requirements.
- Understand risk management and escalation strategies within the scope of role.Understand the impact of co-occurring needs and how to respond effectively.
- Increase confidence and skills in communication while navigating relational parameters.
- Understand how to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Practice advocacy constructively and effectively within scope of role.
- Understand how to manage their own support, wellbeing and development needs.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is funded for those who are in paid AOD peer work roles in state-funded Victorian services.
Who is not eligible?
Anyone who is not in a paid AOD peer work role, workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health, and AOD workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Please contact peersupport@sharc.org.au for any queries regarding this training.
*The same training is offered in person in June 2025.
Facilitator: Lyanne Morel, Lived Experience Advocate
Panel: Tara Schultz, Lived Experience Advocate, Michele Campbell, Clinical Director, NADA and Jennifer Uzabeaga, Consumer Engagement Coordinator, NADA
In this video, panel members discuss experiences of women and the AOD service system.
Resources mentioned can be accessed here: Symposium Resource Hub
To access the video, click on ENROL NOW to change to “I’m going”
The WATCH VIDEO button will appear; click to access the video.
To return to the video later, revisit this page by clicking on Self-paced learning.
Bianca Johnston, PhD Candidate, Monash University
Slides: Voice and creativity in research – Bianca Johnston
Bianca’s PhD examines young women’s experiences of youth intimate partner violence. Using mixed methods of creative art and qualitative interviews with young women, Bianca’s research seeks to provide a platform for young women’s voices and experiences of intimate partner violence.
Resources mentioned can be accessed here: Symposium Resource Hub
To access the video, click on ENROL NOW to change to “I’m going”
The WATCH VIDEO button will appear; click to access the video.
To return to the video later, revisit this page by clicking on Self-paced learning.
Abbie McNamara, Family Preservation Reunification Response Practitioner/ Master of Social Work Graduate, Monash University and
A/Prof Catherine Flynn, Head of Department and Director of Higher Degree Research – Social Work, Monash University
This presentation is based on research undertaken by Abbie as part of her Master of Social Work at Monash University, supervised by Catherine. This work was awarded the Peter Boss prize for best thesis for the 2023 Academic Year. The research was undertaken as a collaboration with TaskForce-Windana, with its origins in practitioner observations about the challenges of current approaches to working with women mandated to AOD treatment. The study therefore sought to better understand what are the needs of, and best practices with this group, by examining existing case file data and interviewing clinicians. The audience will gain a more nuanced understanding of the needs of women engaged with the Forensic AOD system, and specific gender-based risk factors, as well as expanding their understanding of ‘best-practice’ to include organisational and system-level actions needed to support work with this group of often overlooked women.
Resources mentioned can be accessed here: Symposium Resource Hub
To access the video, click on ENROL NOW to change to “I’m going”
The WATCH VIDEO button will appear; click to access the video.
To return to the video later, revisit this page by clicking on Self-paced learning.
Please ensure you can commit to attending both days before enrolling for this training.
Date:
DAY ONE – Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1:00PM – 5:00PM
DAY TWO – Thursday 27 March 2025, 9:30AM – 1:30PM
Location: Online
Description: Harm Reduction Masterclass: learn the principles and best practice with peer expert trainers from Harm Reduction Victoria. Learn alongside our living experience trainers about what clients who use drugs really want and need from our services. There are 7 modules delivered over 2 half-days online, with each one designed to give you a basic understanding of each topic. 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.
Details
DAY ONE – Wednesday 26 March 2025, 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 27 March 2025, 9:30AM – 1:30PM
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 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.
Please ensure you can commit to attending both days before enrolling for this training.
Date:
DAY ONE – Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1:00PM – 5:00PM
DAY TWO – Thursday 27 March 2025, 9:30AM – 1:30PM
Location: Online
Description: Harm Reduction Masterclass: learn the principles and best practice with peer expert trainers from Harm Reduction Victoria. Learn alongside our living experience trainers about what clients who use drugs really want and need from our services. There are 7 modules delivered over 2 half-days online, with each one designed to give you a basic understanding of each topic. 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.
Details
DAY ONE – Wednesday 26 March 2025, 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 27 March 2025, 9:30AM – 1:30PM
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 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: Tuesday, 15th April 2025 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Description:
This half day workshop provides AOD workers with information and strategies to work with clients who have histories of trauma and substance use. The workshop covers frameworks of trauma, its impact on the brain, the link between trauma and addiction, and recommended treatment approaches when working with this cohort.
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.
Dr Dianne Grocott, MBBSS FRANCP Psychiatrist, Reflect Health
Slides: Working with people with ADHD & SUD_Dianne Grocott
In this video, Dr Dianne Grocott invites us to “get on the hoses” and be a voice for change when working with clients with ADHD.
Resources Dianne mentions in her talk:
The Disruptors – Full movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIoKSf4GDZQ
Reflect Health resource library: https://reflecthealth.com.au/service/adhd/
The library has been fashioned as different floors, each with a library of specific information.
To access the video, click on ENROL NOW to change to “I’m going”
The WATCH VIDEO button will appear; click to access the video.
To return to the video later, revisit this page by clicking on Self-paced learning.
Description
The aim of the Doing Difference Differently Reflective Practice sessions is to provide a safe, supported, reflective space to dive deeper into implementing intersectionality in practice, using peer learning models and case studies.
Practitioners will be invited to:
- Explore and navigate case studies/practice issues/incidents together fusing an intersectional lens and utilising tools provided in the training (e.g. Power Matrix, Peer Support Model).
- Raise questions arising from training modules for further discussion and learning.
- Develop critical thinking/analysis through cases/video/stimulus materials provided by facilitators if time permits.
Prerequisite to this course
Students are required to complete the Doing Difference Differently self-paced learning unit.
To access the learning unit, go to Self-Paced E-Learning and click on Doing Difference Differently E-Learn. Enrol in the unit by clicking on ENROL NOW and change it to I’m Going). Go to your dashboard and access the unit from MY COURSES.
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service, including Peer and LLE workers and workers participating in the AOD Traineeship Program.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health, and AOD workers outside of Victoria. 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: Tuesday, 17th December 2024 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Description:
This half day workshop provides AOD workers with information and strategies to work with clients who have histories of trauma and substance use. The workshop covers frameworks of trauma, its impact on the brain, the link between trauma and addiction, and recommended treatment approaches when working with this cohort.
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) service, including Peer and LLE workers.
Who is not eligible?
Workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health, 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.
