Level 3: Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse
The Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse is a nationally recognised qualification accredited through Open Awards. Many substance misuse services specify the Level 3 Certificate as an essential qualification for employment. It is a taught training programme using a range of delivery methods and aims to meet a wide range of learning & development needs for practitioners.
It comprises of participants completing two mandatory units and one optional unit to receive the award. Details of the Mandatory and Optional Units are given below.
Please note: participants can complete individual units without completing the full Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding Substance Misuse.
"Lots of useful information, learnt about different techniques"
Mandatory units include:
| Duration |
12 full day sessions plus tutorials |
|---|---|
| Aim |
Understanding: substances, their use and effects; current legislation (the law) in relation to drugs and alcohol; national drug and alcohol strategies and how this relates to the delivery of substance misuse services at a local level; the need to promote diversity, equality and the rights of service users; how to promote choice, well-being and protection of substance users; a range of approaches to intervention; and to have a working knowledge of Models of Care. This twelve-day unit will offer participants the chance to receive 6 Level 3 credits from Open Awards for successful completion. |
| Duration | 8 full day sessions plus tutorials |
|---|---|
| Aim |
Understanding: the importance of therapeutic relationships including how and when to disengage from service users; the importance of assessment; levels of assessment (including risk assessment); be able to conduct a comprehensive assessment; be able to conduct a risk assessment; know how to plan and review a comprehensive and integrated programme of care (a recovery plan and risk management plan); how to respond to risk considering harm reduction approaches; preparation for discharge; the collection of data for monitoring purposes; and, the role of partner agencies and partnership working. This eight-day unit will offer participants the chance to receive 6 Level 3 credits from Open Awards for successful completion. |
Optional units include:
| Duration |
6 full day sessions plus tutorials |
|---|---|
| Aims | To increase participant’s knowledge and skills around Harm Reduction, including: Harm Reduction as a concept/approach (harm to individuals, harm to others and harm to the wider community); risks associated with substance use; offering harm reduction advice; needle exchange - injecting behaviour and the principles and practice of safer injecting; blood borne viruses testing and treatment; sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment; safer sex; preventing overdose; safer drinking; and smoking cessation. This six-day course will offer participants the chance to receive 3 Level 3 credits from Open Awards for successful completion. |
| Duration | 6 full day sessions plus tutorials |
|---|---|
| Aims | To increase participant’s knowledge and skills around Detoxification and Prescribing Services for Substance Use, including: specialist prescribing, GP prescribing and Non-medical prescribers; the range of medications used for the treatment of substance misuse; initiating prescribing; supervised consumption; titration and maintanence prescribing; preparation for detox; community based detox; in-patient detox; discharge planning; and, prescribing for relapse prevention.
This six day course will offer participants the chance to receive 3 Level 3 credits from Open Awards for successful completion. |
| Duration |
6 full day sessions plus tutorials |
|---|---|
| Aim |
To increase participant's knowledge and skills around Dual Diagnosis, including: defining dual diagnosis; concepts and terminology; drugs and mental health; common mental health conditions related to substance misuse; best practice and national guidance for those with co-existent mental health and substance misuse problems; self-medication and drug misuse; and medication and drug interactions. This six-day course will offer participants the chance to receive 3 Level 3 credits from Open Awards for successful completion. |
| Duration |
6 full day sessions plus tutorials |
|---|---|
| Aim |
To increase participant’s knowledge and skills around Relapse Prevention and After Care Support for Substance Users, including: cycle of change; triggers for relapse; the importance of providing effective aftercare and relapse prevention; discharge and aftercare planning; follow-up; naltrexone for relapse prevention; mutual aid (peer support) and recovery networks. This six-day course will offer participants the chance to receive 3, Level 3 credits from Open Awards for successful completion. |
Who is this course for?
This course would be suitable for anybody who wants to develop their knowledge and skills working with substance misusers. It is particularly suitable for anybody working in a 'face to face' capacity with substance misusers (e.g. support workers, group workers, drug and alcohol workers, nurses and social workers).
Eligibilty Criteria:
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A good standard of written work.
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IT skills (word processing, power-point and searching the internet).
Please note the eligibility criteria applies to all mandatory and optional units.
| Date | TBC |
|---|---|
| Duration | 18 full day sessions including tutorials |
| Venue | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust |
Please Note: Training can be delivered at a venue of your choice subject to numbers.
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