Working with families with addiction issues - Qualification makes the difference!

<< Background >>This project built on the previous EU-funded Make the Difference project (CERV programme), which aimed to strengthen cooperation between addiction support and youth welfare services with regard to child protection in families affected by addiction. A basic training concept for professionals was also developed as part of this previous project. However, this concept had some shortcomings: It did not sufficiently include the perspective of families affected by addiction, i.e. it lacked the lived experiences of those affected. The concept only provided a general framework and did not include detailed instructions and guidance for trainers; essential topics were missing or underdeveloped compared to the actual needs of professionals and families. Feedback from implementation was also not integrated, and finally, this training concept was primarily aimed at professionals in addiction and youth services, while professionals in healthcare, education and social work were still overlooked.To address these gaps, this project developed a comprehensive curriculum incorporating the perspectives of families affected by addiction. It also provided structured guidance for trainers and ensured the curriculum was adaptable across various professional fields to better support families.<< Objectives >>The project aimed to improve the situation of families with addiction issues by enhancing the knowledge, skills and empathy of professionals working with this vulnerable group. To achieve this, the project developed a comprehensive curriculum as a foundation for training professionals in various disciplines who work with these families. Real-life experiences from affected families were integrated to ensure the curriculum aligned with their actual needs. The project also facilitated the exchange of best practices and lessons learned from implementing training programs. Another key objective was to make the curriculum accessible and adaptable for organizations training professionals in social work, healthcare, education, child protection, and related fields. Furthermore, the project explored diverse training formats, including online options, and provided practical recommendations for their implementation.<< Implementation >>The project was divided in several key activities, including project management, data collection, and curriculum development. At project start, an online kick-off meeting was held to align tasks, timelines, and responsibilities among partners. This was followed by monthly online meetings to ensure continuous collaboration and progress monitoring. To integrate the perspectives of families affected by addiction, the project team developed a questionnaire for parents with addiction issues and their (adult) children. The questionnaire was translated into national languages, and the collected data was analysed through individual interviews and an online survey, with 64 participants providing valuable insights. This data was used to identify the challenges, needs, and recommendations for professionals, resulting in an internal report.For curriculum development, the project team conducted a literature review to identify gaps and best practices. Based on the data collected from affected families and experiences from past trainings, a joint workshop was organized over three days to develop a prototype for the curriculum. The curriculum then went through an iterative refinement process, incorporating helpful resources, case examples, in-depth theory, and recommendations for training.Public relations and dissemination efforts played a significant role throughout the project. The curriculum was promoted through partner organizations, websites, newsletters, and social media. It was also showcased at major conferences and was shared with European networks, such as AFINet and Euro Net, and an online conference was held, bringing together 93 participants from 18 countries. The event featured a keynote on stigma and lived experiences, as well as a panel discussion on implementation challenges and opportunities.<< Results >>The project delivered key outputs, including the documentation of families' lived experience which highlighted challenges, needs, and recommendations for professionals. The joint workshop with 19 participants contributed to co-creating the curriculum.The main output of the project was the publication of Making the Difference: Professional Training for Supporting Families with Addiction Issues, a 127-page curriculum available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license. A factsheet summarizing the curriculum’s benefits for trainers and professionals was also created. An online conference on December 3, 2024, attracted 93 participants from 18 countries, receiving a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +59.The project contributed to raising awareness through presentations at major conferences, including Lisbon Addictions and the Conference of the German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS). The curriculum was disseminated widely, including with the Addiction and the Family Network (AFINet) and euro net, a European Network for Practical Addiction Prevention, social media, mailing lists and a dedicated project website.Overall, the project addressed critical gaps in professional training by developing a comprehensive curriculum that equips trainers to provide professionals from various sectors with the knowledge, skills and empathy needed to support families affected by addiction. Its broad dissemination ensures long-term impact and provides valuable resources for organizations working in this field.