Lived Experience Career Pathway – Enhanced Skills Practice Course 2026!

Enhanced Skills Course

Part of the Lived Experience Career (LEC) Pathway!

Are you someone with lived experience of substance or alcohol use who wants to turn that experience into a meaningful career? The Enhanced Skills Course is a supportive and practical training opportunity designed to help you build confidence, deepen your knowledge, and take your first steps into the substance use sector. It builds on the DACES Level 1 in Substance Misuse qualification, which you can complete either before or after this course – whichever suits you best.

Delivered by Derbyshire Addictions Advice Service (DAAS), part of the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership.

Course Delivery

🟣Platform: Online via Microsoft Teams
🟣Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm (includes two comfort breaks and a lunch break)

Course Dates

🌟September Start – LECP Project: Enhanced Skills Practice Course – September – Friday 25th and Monday 28th- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESPCohort12
🌟October start – LECP Project: Enhanced Skills Practice Course – October – Friday 16th and Monday 19th- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESPCohort13
🌟November start – LECP Project: Enhanced Skills Practice Course – November – Friday 20th and Monday 23rd – 9:30 am – 4:30 pm: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESPCohort14

What You’ll Learn

This course offers practical skills and deeper understanding to help you support others in recovery. Topics include:

  • Alcohol, substance, and addiction awareness
  • Harm reduction and patterns of use
  • Professional boundaries and trauma-informed practice
  • Tackling stigma and using appropriate language
  • Motivational conversation tools and de-escalation techniques
  • Encouraging change and signposting to support

Who Can Join?

To take part, you should:

  • Be registered on the Derbyshire Lived Experience Career Pathway
  • Have lived or living experience of drugs and alcohol – either your own or as a connected other (e.g. family member or partner)
  • Be interested in a career in the substance use sector
  • Be able to attend both sessions (Part 1 and Part 2)
  • You can complete the Level 1 Substance Misuse course before or after this one – both courses complement each other
  • Have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and the ability to view training slides during the course. Please note: using a mobile phone or iPad will not be accepted as this will affect your learning experience and limit access to course materials

If you don’t have access to a laptop or computer, speak to the Pathway Co-ordinator. You may be able to access equipment at your local library or from a recovery space – get in touch to learn more.

Ready to Register or have More Questions First? Contact the Lived Experience Career Pathway Co-ordinator:

📧 dhcft.derbyshirelivedexperiencecareerpathway@nhs.net