Our online training attracts attendees from a wide range of sectors and we encourage active participation in our sessions through group discussions and by inviting individuals to offer comments on issues relevant to their role. If you have any concerns about participating within this interactive format please highlight this in the additional needs section of the booking form.    

This course will provide you with an awareness of the main drug related harms and understand the principles of harm reduction. 

By the end of the course you will be able to: 

• Define the principles of harm reduction and understand the background. 
• Recall a range of harms caused by substance use and describe harms from specific substances. 
• Identify sources of support to reduce drug related harm and be able to signpost people who use your service. 

This is a 2-day course running on 15th & 16th July 2025 via Microsoft Teams.  You must be able to attend on both days. 

Our training attracts attendees from a wide range of sectors and we encourage active participation in our sessions through group discussions and by inviting individuals to offer comments on issues relevant to their role. If you have any concerns about participating within this interactive format please highlight this in the additional needs section of the booking form. 

Aim 

This course will support practitioners in adult and children’s services to respond to children affected by parental substance use. 

Learning Outcomes  

By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 

• Identify the impact of parental substance use on children. 
• Describe the child’s change cycle in parental use and recovery. 
• Practice the assessment of risk for children affected by parental substance use. 
• Identify ways to actively engage and hear young people’s stories. 

 We recommend that you complete our 'Drug Awareness - An Introductory Course' e-learning module. 

 https://www.sdftraining.org.uk/e-learning/277-drug-awareness-an-introductory-course 

Our training attracts attendees from a wide range of sectors and we encourage active participation in our sessions through group discussions and by inviting individuals to offer comments on issues relevant to their role. If you have any concerns about participating within this interactive format please highlight this in the additional needs section of the booking form.   

Aim 

The training aims to increase workers' drug awareness knowledge and provide an opportunity to explore current and emerging trends with substance use. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the session participants will be able to: 

• Name the seven key drug categories and their key effects 
• Recall an overview of the key substances in use 
• Identify the reasons why people choose to use drugs and alcohol 
• Recall poly-drug use and dependant substance use patterns 
• Describe signs of overdose and how to respond 
• Identify effective techniques to support people who use drugs and alcohol. 

Our courses are very popular. If you find you are unable to make it then please let us know as soon as possible so we can allocate your place to someone on the waiting list. 

Please check, in some email systems your SDF booking email can land in a spam or junk folder. Make sure you don’t miss it. 

PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE COMPLETED THE E-LEARNING: Overdose Prevention, Intervention and Naloxone

An in-depth half-day session online looking at naloxone and the effect it has on reducing drug-related deaths. Followed by a reflective practice session approx. 4 weeks later to consolidate and embed training in practice.

This course will cover the core areas of drug-related deaths on a global, national and local scale, opiate overdose prevention and risk factors and high-risk times for overdose. It explores methods and models of community-based delivery and adult learning.

The training will also give an overview of global naloxone activity and of the renowned Scottish National Naloxone Programme. There will be an in-depth look at naloxone, its actions, kit assembly and administration of both injectable and intranasal products. Specific attention will be paid to overdose intervention and basic life support with naloxone.

Following this training, participants will be able to train people at risk of opioid overdose/their families etc, in overdose prevention, intervention and naloxone.

Following the introduction of legislation on 1st October 2015, all staff working in drug services can supply naloxone without the need for a prescription or Patient Group Direction. In June 2020 the legislation was relaxed to allow other services to supply naloxone for the duration of COVID once registered with the Scottish Government. Following this training staff will feel competent to support this supply.

Anyone who completes this training can provide awareness sessions on overdose prevention/naloxone to individuals, staff and services, etc.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session participants will be able to:

• Describe evidence-based overdose prevention and naloxone messages.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Scotland's National Naloxone Programme.
• Identify observable signs and symptoms of a depressant overdose and advise of the appropriate response accordingly.
• Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to provide training and to supply (if applicable) take-home naloxone to people who use opioids or those likely to witness an overdose.
• Deliver training in overdose prevention, intervention and naloxone.
• Provide awareness sessions to other staff on overdose prevention/naloxone.
• Be confident and competent to supply naloxone without the need for a prescription or patient group direction in line with legislation.

Reflection and Consolidation Session (2 per year)

The purpose of this second session is to explore and support embedding the learning from Naloxone Training for Trainers into practice.

We will discuss starting the naloxone conversation, brief interventions, training, barriers and solutions. We will discuss case studies and individuals will be encouraged to bring examples from their practice to this session for further discussion.

Our training attracts attendees from a wide range of sectors and we encourage active participation in our sessions through group discussions and and by inviting individuals to offer comments on issues relevant to their role. If you have any concerns about participating within this interactive format please highlight this in the additional needs section of the booking form.  

Overview  

This course will discuss how services and practitioners can better prevent drug-related deaths. This course will have a particular focus on identifying the needs and risks of older people aged 35 years and over who use substances.  

Aim  

To enable workers to recognise risk factors, high-risk times and support people to reduce risk of drug-related death.  

Learning Outcomes  

By the end of the course, participants will:  

• Identify individual risk factors and high-risk times for drug-related death.  
• Identify ways to engage and retain people in services.  
• Identify good practice to reduce drug-related deaths.  

We recommend that you complete  our 'Overdose Prevention, Intervention and Naloxone' e-learning module   

https://www.sdftraining.org.uk/e-learning/156-overdose-prevention-intervention-and-naloxone

This session will be held online using MS Teams. A link will be emailed prior to the course.

Please join from 0915 for a prompt 0930 start.

The course description and learning outcomes:

An introduction to bacterial infection relating to people who use drugs.

The training will give an overview of bacterial infection and various outbreaks seen in Scotland. It gives participants the opportunity to explore harm reduction information relevant to bacterial infection. The training will provide an overview of the main signs and symptoms which practitioners should be aware of and will encourage participants to think about and develop a response relevant to their services.

This session will take place via Microsoft Teams and is due to finish at 3.30 pm. There will be a break in the morning, a 30min break for lunch and a break in the afternoon session. 
 

Our training attracts attendees from a wide range of sectors and we encourage active participation in our sessions through  group discussions and by inviting individuals to offer comments on issues relevant to their role. If you have any concerns about participating within this interactive format please highlight this in the additional needs section of the booking form. 

Overview 

Good empathic listening is fundamental in the helping relationship. Called accurate empathy by Carl Rogers (1965), it is the cornerstone for person-centred practice. It is fundamental to good communication. In this course, we practise refining empathic listening skills and address other core communication skills that are important in the helping relationship. 

Aim 

To practise core communication skills with a focus on expressing accurate empathy through reflective listening skills. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of course you will have:  

• Observed & debriefed a demonstration of the interpersonal style and core communication skills used in a helping relationship. 
• Practised the interpersonal style and primary core communication skills. 

Our training attracts attendees from a wide range of sectors and we encourage active participation in our sessions through group discussions and by inviting individuals to offer comments on issues relevant to their role. If you have any concerns about participating within this interactive format please highlight this in the additional needs section of the booking form. 

Overview 

Stigma can have a profound impact upon the lives of people who use alcohol and other drugs or those who have a history of substance use. The impact of stigma can permeate numerous aspects of a person’s life such as their health and wellbeing, relationships, education and employment prospects and socioeconomic status. 

Commonly, family, friends, service providers and institutions often place numerous expectations on people who use substances to engage in change behaviour, however, the social context that creates and perpetuates the cycle of stigma is rarely considered or challenged. Through developing a greater awareness of the wider context that the cycle of stigma fosters and exploring our own role in reinforcing and challenging stigma, participants can identify new approaches for fostering enhanced relationships with service users. 

Aim 

This one-day training will give participants a distinct set of knowledge and skills to help them understand and address alcohol and drug-related stigma. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the course you will be able to: 

• Describe the impact of stigma on people who use substances, people in treatment or in recovery from substance use 
• Recall language which de-stigmatises people affected by substance use. 
• Describe how stigma and discrimination impact on the quality and effectiveness of service delivery. 
• Identify institutional and structural stigma attached to people who use substances, people in treatment or in recovery from substance use. 

PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE COMPLETED THE E-LEARNING: Overdose Prevention, Intervention and Naloxone

An in-depth half-day session online looking at naloxone and the effect it has on reducing drug-related deaths. Followed by a reflective practice session approx. 4 weeks later to consolidate and embed training in practice.

This course will cover the core areas of drug-related deaths on a global, national and local scale, opiate overdose prevention and risk factors and high-risk times for overdose. It explores methods and models of community-based delivery and adult learning.

The training will also give an overview of global naloxone activity and of the renowned Scottish National Naloxone Programme. There will be an in-depth look at naloxone, its actions, kit assembly and administration of both injectable and intranasal products. Specific attention will be paid to overdose intervention and basic life support with naloxone.

Following this training, participants will be able to train people at risk of opioid overdose/their families etc, in overdose prevention, intervention and naloxone.

Following the introduction of legislation on 1st October 2015, all staff working in drug services can supply naloxone without the need for a prescription or Patient Group Direction. In June 2020 the legislation was relaxed to allow other services to supply naloxone for the duration of COVID once registered with the Scottish Government. Following this training staff will feel competent to support this supply.

Anyone who completes this training can provide awareness sessions on overdose prevention/naloxone to individuals, staff and services, etc.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session participants will be able to:

• Describe evidence-based overdose prevention and naloxone messages.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Scotland's National Naloxone Programme.
• Identify observable signs and symptoms of a depressant overdose and advise of the appropriate response accordingly.
• Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to provide training and to supply (if applicable) take-home naloxone to people who use opioids or those likely to witness an overdose.
• Deliver training in overdose prevention, intervention and naloxone.
• Provide awareness sessions to other staff on overdose prevention/naloxone.
• Be confident and competent to supply naloxone without the need for a prescription or patient group direction in line with legislation.

Reflection and Consolidation Session (2 per year)

The purpose of this second session is to explore and support embedding the learning from Naloxone Training for Trainers into practice.

We will discuss starting the naloxone conversation, brief interventions, training, barriers and solutions. We will discuss case studies and individuals will be encouraged to bring examples from their practice to this session for further discussion.

PLEASE NOTE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE COMPLETED THE E-LEARNING: Overdose Prevention, Intervention and Naloxone

An in-depth half-day session online looking at naloxone and the effect it has on reducing drug-related deaths. Followed by a reflective practice session approx. 4 weeks later to consolidate and embed training in practice.

This course will cover the core areas of drug-related deaths on a global, national and local scale, opiate overdose prevention and risk factors and high-risk times for overdose. It explores methods and models of community-based delivery and adult learning.

The training will also give an overview of global naloxone activity and of the renowned Scottish National Naloxone Programme. There will be an in-depth look at naloxone, its actions, kit assembly and administration of both injectable and intranasal products. Specific attention will be paid to overdose intervention and basic life support with naloxone.

Following this training, participants will be able to train people at risk of opioid overdose/their families etc, in overdose prevention, intervention and naloxone.

Following the introduction of legislation on 1st October 2015, all staff working in drug services can supply naloxone without the need for a prescription or Patient Group Direction. In June 2020 the legislation was relaxed to allow other services to supply naloxone for the duration of COVID once registered with the Scottish Government. Following this training staff will feel competent to support this supply.

Anyone who completes this training can provide awareness sessions on overdose prevention/naloxone to individuals, staff and services, etc.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session participants will be able to:

• Describe evidence-based overdose prevention and naloxone messages.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Scotland's National Naloxone Programme.
• Identify observable signs and symptoms of a depressant overdose and advise of the appropriate response accordingly.
• Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to provide training and to supply (if applicable) take-home naloxone to people who use opioids or those likely to witness an overdose.
• Deliver training in overdose prevention, intervention and naloxone.
• Provide awareness sessions to other staff on overdose prevention/naloxone.
• Be confident and competent to supply naloxone without the need for a prescription or patient group direction in line with legislation.

Reflection and Consolidation Session (2 per year)

The purpose of this second session is to explore and support embedding the learning from Naloxone Training for Trainers into practice.

We will discuss starting the naloxone conversation, brief interventions, training, barriers and solutions. We will discuss case studies and individuals will be encouraged to bring examples from their practice to this session for further discussion.