abstract: 'Introduction There is growing interest in the role of the non-government

  sector in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) service delivery system. This

  study examined the demographic profile of AOD workers in the

  non-government (NGO) compared to government sector, to ascertain their

  professional development needs, job satisfaction, retention and

  turnover.

  Methods This study utilised cross-sectional data from an Australian AOD

  workforce online survey that assessed participants'' demographics,

  employment profile, professional development needs and barriers. The

  sample comprised 888 workers in direct client service roles.

  Results Binomial logistic regression analysis indicated that NGO workers

  were more likely to be younger (<35 years), have AOD lived experience

  and have an AOD vocational qualification. NGO workers were more likely

  to earn below the national average salary and report job insecurity; but

  nonetheless were more likely to feel respected and supported at work,

  believe their work was meaningful and be satisfied working in the AOD

  sector. Their top professional development barrier was personal

  financial cost. NGO workers were more likely to report employer

  financial costs as a professional development barrier, whereas

  government workers were more likely to report staff shortages.

  Discussion and Conclusions AOD services in Australia rely increasingly

  on the NGO sector. Quality services and care pivot on the size,

  capability and maturity of the workforce. This study highlights the need

  for systemic interventions addressing structural issues, and the

  professional development and ongoing support needs of the NGO AOD

  workforce. Without such support, Australia''s AOD services will be

  potentially jeopardised.'
affiliation: 'Roche, AM (Corresponding Author), Flinders Univ S Australia, Natl Ctr
  Educ \& Training Addict, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

  Roche, Ann M.; Skinner, Natalie, Flinders Univ S Australia, Natl Ctr Educ \& Training
  Addict, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.'
author: Roche, Ann M. and Skinner, Natalie
author-email: 'Ann.Roche@flinders.edu.au

  natalie.skinner@flinders.edu.au'
author_list:
- family: Roche
  given: Ann M.
- family: Skinner
  given: Natalie
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1111/dar.13278
earlyaccessdate: MAR 2021
eissn: 1465-3362
files: []
issn: 0959-5236
journal: DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
keywords: 'health workforce; non\&\#8208; government sector; professional

  development need; capacity building'
language: English
month: SEP
number: '6'
number-of-cited-references: '41'
orcid-numbers: 'Skinner, Natalie/0000-0002-9713-8545

  roche, ann/0000-0002-5992-8757'
pages: 1003-1012
papis_id: 32c380132aeac5ed80bf6f4be9c1f6cd
ref: Roche2021nongovernmentalcohol
researcherid-numbers: 'Skinner, Natalie/A-4778-2012

  '
times-cited: '2'
title: 'The non-government alcohol and other drug workforce in Australia: Findings
  from a national survey'
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000629314500001
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '1'
volume: '40'
web-of-science-categories: Substance Abuse
year: '2021'