The values underpinning our work are:

Respect for clients and their choices.

Recognising that people have choices and the
capacity to make decisions about those choices.

Recognising and valuing the diversity of clients
and their needs.

A belief that people drink and use drugs to meet
their needs rather than as a result of a
pre-determined disposition.

Recognising that people make mistakes and
can learn and develop from them.

Respect for client confidentiality.

Promoting clients finding their own solutions.

A belief that society has a role in promoting
healthier and safer lifestyles.

1. Alcohol and drugs services should be closely
linked with primary health care services.

2. People also have a right to direct access to
alcohol and drugs services.

3. Alcohol and drugs services should be available
at the point of identification of use that is
problematic.

4. Services should be safe.

5. Services should be effective.

6. Alcohol and drug services should be
responsive to different individual needs.

7. Safer drinking and drug use enhances healthy
lifestyles for individuals and safer communities.

8. The delivery of sufficient interventions
necessary to achieve and sustain changes
should be offered.

9. Recognising that people with more complex
needs require more intensive services.

10. Services should offer clients a choice of
interventions.

Our methods are based on:

A functional understanding of drinking and drug
use (ie people drink or take drugs to meet a
need).

Understanding change as a process.

Achieving change requires both the desire for
and the skills to change.

Drinking and drug use are learned behaviours
which can be changed.

Changing drinking and drug using behaviour
requires changes to thoughts, feelings and
actions.

Change is a stage based process.

The therapeutic relationship is significant in
enabling and maintaining change.

Learning arises from both positive and negative
experiences.

Ensuring Quality Services:

Well trained staff & well supervised staff.

A sound recruitment process.

Well structured services.

Policies and procedures enabling and supporting
staff.

Monitoring and review forming an important part
of the service.

Investor in People approval.