Delivering a diploma of community services (alcohol and other drugs and mental health) in the remote town of Katherine (NT): a case study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the design and implementation of a Diploma of Community Services in Katherine (NT) by RMIT University in collaboration with Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (SHS).

Method: This is a descriptive case study of how, in response to a need, a city-based Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and other Drugs and Mental Health) was modified and delivered in the remote region of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The key aspects included organisational agreements, understanding local needs and realities, collaborative development of course design, overcoming funding shortfalls, incorporating two-way learning, managing with sparse resources, and building a conducive learning environment.

Results: Of the 24 students who completed the course in the first two iterations of the program, 91% received their Diploma. Workshops conducted as part of the course enabled students to develop cross-agency and cross-sector connections as well as professional collaborations. After graduation, a number of students successfully applied for higher paying positions within their own or alternative services whilst others decided to go onto further study. The program has since been delivered across the NT in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and the remote community of Ngukurr.

Discussion: The lessons learnt from this endeavour could be utilised by other remote area health services and city based training organisations to design and deliver courses in remote areas of Australia.

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KEYWORDS:

• Vocational education
• remote education
• indigenous workforce development
• social and emotional well being

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor David Hayward of RMIT University and Stacey Campton from Ngarara Willim Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples RMIT University, for proof reading the manuscript. Dr Ahmed Latif, Graham Castine, Dale Campbell and Geoffrey Lohmeyer from Sunrise Health Service. Pamela Acres from Wurli Wurlinjang Workforce Support Unit. Michelle Kudell and Miranda Halliday from Alcohol and Drug Associations NT. Lauren Buckley from Remote AOD workforce Support. Fiona McManus from Department of Business, NT Government. Stuart Henry from World Plumbing Council. William Tune from Victorian Dual Diagnosis Initiative. Kevin Moore from Ngarara Willim Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples RMIT University. Christine Robertson, Dr Helen Smith, Dr Elizabeth Kath, Anne Marie Carroll, David McElgunn, Daniel Teague, Anthony Graham and Spiros Soulis from RMIT University. Maggie Toko and Mauro Thon Guidici for their help and support with undertaking this program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NT Government User Choice and Market Place schemes.