Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course

Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards – Online Course

Course overview
This introductory online course provides an overview of Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) and their application in health, social care and substance misuse services. Learners explore the purpose and structure of the standards, their intended users and their relevance to service delivery, management and commissioning. The course takes approximately one hour and is CPD accredited.

Please note: This Level 1 course provides introductory awareness and knowledge of DANOS. It does not replace any practical, regulated or role-specific training an employer may require.

What the course covers
• Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards
• The purpose of DANOS and the professionals it is intended for
• Three key areas within DANOS
• What the standards cover and what falls outside their scope
• The structure of DANOS standards and role profiles
• How DANOS is used in practice
• The relationship between DANOS and other initiatives
• The Drug Strategy 2002
• The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England
• Models of Care
• Standards for Better Health
• QuADS
• The units within DANOS
• Service delivery
• Management of services
• Commissioning services

Who is it for?
This course is designed for individuals who need introductory knowledge of Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards as part of their role. It is suitable for:
• Substance misuse practitioners
• Counsellors and therapists
• Social workers and case managers
• Healthcare professionals
• Mental health practitioners
• Police and law enforcement personnel
• Youth workers and educators
• Community outreach workers
• Prison and rehabilitation staff
• Employers and HR professionals
• Volunteers and peer support workers

The course can also support staff induction, awareness development, knowledge enhancement and refresher training.

Practical benefits
• Understand the purpose and structure of DANOS
• Recognise how occupational standards relate to substance misuse services
• Develop awareness of service delivery, management and commissioning
• Strengthen knowledge relevant to workplace responsibilities
• Support induction and refresher learning
• Complete training online in approximately one hour
• Access unlimited assessment retakes
• Receive a free CPD-accredited certificate after successfully completing the quiz

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the core principles and terminology associated with DANOS
• Recognise the relevance of the standards to day-to-day practice
• Identify common risks, concerns and situations relevant to the subject
• Understand individual responsibilities and role boundaries
• Apply appropriate good-practice principles in workplace situations
• Communicate effectively with relevant people when issues arise
• Recognise when advice, reporting or escalation is needed
• Explain how DANOS relates to service delivery, management and commissioning

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online quiz at the end of the course. Unlimited assessment retakes are available. On successful completion, learners receive a free CPD-accredited certificate that can be downloaded or printed at home. A hard-copy certificate can also be requested.

Course access is provided upon purchase. Organisations can use the available learner management system to monitor learner progress, review quiz results and access certification records. A compliance matrix is also available to support audits and inspections.