Family-Inclusive Practice in the AOD Services / 2008-09

A growing body of evidence shows that including families (and/or significant other people) in the care of those who have problems associated with their substance use, has a substantial benefit to both the person engaged with the AOD services and the family itself.  Yet despite this knowledge and the availability of training and tools, it is often difficult to create the right organisational environments, or to have the confidence to undertake this challenging work.

The Bouverie Centre is currently implementing a program that will study these challenges, and promote the implementation of Family Inclusive practices by AOD services.

The aims of this project are to:
•    document existing Family Inclusive practices;
•    identify the gaps, challenges and barriers to undertaking this work;
•    provide training and implementation support to the organisations that are chosen in year one of the project; and
•    share the emerging knowledge and enthusiasm with the broader sector.

As part of a DHS funded initiative, The Bouverie Centre has consulted with the AOD sector, across Victoria, to scope current family inclusive practices, and identify barriers and challenges to undertaking family work.  A report of the findings following this consultation and scoping phase will provide the foundation from which this project will build.

Workers from participating agencies will be provided with specific training in the family inclusive approach chosen, and their organisations will be provided with ongoing consultation support from The Bouverie Centre to implement and embed those practices.  As part of this implementation support, staff will participate in regular facilitated peer supervision through Co-operative Inquiry Groups (CIGs). The underpinning vision is to generate further implementation knowledge by undertaking this, (subject to La Trobe University Ethics approval), within a Participatory Action Research framework.

Families that initiate any contact with the AOD agencies undertaking this project, will be informed of the research project underway, and will be invited to participate from the outset through interviews which explore their experience of help seeking.  They will be clearly informed that their decision would have no bearing on the provision of service to them.  

The Bouverie Centre will also support the Beacon Projects to share this emerging knowledge with the wider AOD sector, and will use the CIGs to understand how best to provide that support.  It is anticipated that through these activities, an infectious enthusiasm for family work will spread through the sector, creating conversations between organisations, encouraging collaborative support and mentoring to further develop this area of work.