Open Awards
Level 3
QN: 603/6050/1
Curriculum Active
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by Open Awards. Classified as a Other Vocational Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 294 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
Open Awards
Syllabus Units
12 Units
Guided Hours
294 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Assessment, Recovery and Discharge Planning for People Engaged with Substance Misuse Services
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of establishing, maintaining and ending relationships with service usersUnderstand how to promote choice and wellbeing of service usersUnderstand key government guidance covering assessment and recovery planning within substance misuse servicesUnderstand how to respond to riskBe able to complete an assessment for a service userDemonstrate effectiveness in planning comprehensive and integrated programmes of care
2
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Brief Interventions for Substance Misuse Practitioners
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to support service users when they have used substancesBe able to identify service users who may benefit from brief interventionsUnderstand how to offer information advice and guidance on harm reductionBe able to support service users in reducing substance use
3
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Managing Teams and Individuals Working with Substance Misuse Services
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to lead the work of individual substance misuse practitioners to achieve their objectivesBe able to lead the work of teams within a substance misuse organisation to achieve their objectivesBe able to develop individuals and teams to enhance performanceUnderstand arrangements for joint working between workers and agenciesBe able to apply an understanding of team dynamics to effectively facilitate meetings
4
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Principles of Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand substances, their use and effectsUnderstand current relevant legislation for delivery of services for people who use substancesUnderstand Government strategy for the delivery of services for people who use drugs and alcoholBe able to protect the diversity, equality and rights of people who use substance misuse servicesKnow about interventions available in substance misuse servicesUnderstand theoretical models describing substance misuseUnderstand the importance of evidence-based practice
5
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Providing Harm Reduction Support to People who use Drugs
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand what is meant by “harm reduction” as an approach to working with people who use drugsUnderstand the risks of blood borne viruses for people who inject drugsUnderstand what contributes to drug related deaths and ways of reducing themUnderstand the risks of sexually transmitted infections for drug usersUnderstand the principles of safer injection and needle/syringe programmes
6
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Providing Support and After Care Services for Substance Users
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the need for relapse prevention activities throughout the treatment continuumUnderstand how to support individuals to access housing and accommodation servicesUnderstand how to explore employment, training and education options with individuals who use substancesUnderstand how to support individuals to manage their financial affairsBe able to develop, implement and review personal action plans with individuals who use substances
7
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Raising Awareness of the effects of Substance Misuse
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to educate others about substances, their use and effectsBe able to increase people’s knowledge of services available to meet the needs of substance users
8
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Self-Management within Substance Misuse Services
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse management information procedures to monitor and improve substance misuse service outcomes
- Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for substance misuse services within a defined local population
- Formulate evidence-based strategies and operational plans to address identified gaps in service provision
- Critically review the effectiveness of implemented strategies against local population health indicators
- Produce a detailed personal and professional development plan to continuously enhance knowledge and practice in substance misuse services
9
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Support and After Care Services for Substance Users
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the importance of relapse prevention activities throughout the treatment continuum
- Describe how to support individuals to access housing and accommodation services
- Outline how to explore employment, training, and education options with individuals who use substances
- Explain how to support individuals to manage their financial affairs
- Develop a personal action plan with an individual who uses substances
- Implement a personal action plan with an individual who uses substances
- Review a personal action plan with an individual who uses substances
10
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Understand Coexisting Substance Misuse and Mental Health Diagnosis (Dual Diagnosis)
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define dual diagnosis and explain its prevalence and impact on individuals' health and wellbeing.
- Describe common classes of medications used to treat mental health conditions, including their indications and potential interactions with substances.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of integrated treatment models for individuals with dual diagnosis.
- Identify effective communication strategies when working with individuals with co-occurring disorders.
- Analyse the barriers to effective collaboration between mental health and substance misuse services and propose solutions.
11
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Understanding Prescribing and Detoxification Services
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Analyse the aims of prescribing in substance misuse treatment, including harm reduction and abstinence goals.
- Evaluate the processes of titration and stabilisation in managing withdrawal symptoms and achieving therapeutic doses.
- Assess the effectiveness of maintenance prescribing in promoting long-term recovery and reducing illicit drug use.
- Develop a plan to prepare a service user for detoxification, considering physical, psychological, and social factors.
- Critically examine the stages of detoxification and the role of multi-disciplinary teams in managing risks.
- Justify the choice of prescribed interventions for relapse prevention based on individual needs and evidence-based guidelines.
12
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Substance Misuse (RQF)
Understanding the Recovery Process
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the UK Drug Policy Commission’s Vision of Recovery and its key principles.
- Analyse the concept of Recovery Capital and its three domains (personal, social, community).
- Evaluate how hope, choice, freedom, and aspiration interact to facilitate the recovery journey.
- Assess the role of community assets in building recovery-friendly environments.
- Describe the functions of Recovery Champions in service design and delivery.
- Examine the contributions of families and carers to recovery outcomes and the challenges they face.
- Discuss the value of mutual aid and peer support in sustaining long-term recovery.
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 603/6050/1
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- Open Awards
- Qualification Type
- Other Vocational Qualification
- Operational Start
- Jul 2020