Australasian TCs: innovation and enhancement of the model

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities

ISSN: 0964-1866

Article publication date: 11 December 2017

163

Citation

Magor-Blatch, L.E. (2017), "Australasian TCs: innovation and enhancement of the model", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 38 No. 4, pp. 202-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-10-2017-0030

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited


As this edition of the IJTC goes to press, the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) is celebrating its 31st annual conference in Brisbane, Australia. This year’s program has focused on “Innovation: enhancing the TC model.” Keynote and session speakers have taken up this theme, with papers on innovation in TC and clinical treatment practices; research; cultural partnerships: working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Mãori and Pasifika peoples; families; continuing care; comorbidity; corrective services and coerced clients; and attachment and trauma. Future editions of the journal will bring these papers to life.

Since its inception in 1986, a major concern for ATCA has been the implementation of ongong quality assurance and evaluation processes. This was commenced through a peer review process over a number of years, and expanded in 2002, with the Towards Better Practice in Therapeutic Communities[1] project. In 2005, the ATCA Board commissioned a further project – ATCA Future Directions – to inform the future directions of the association. It was recognized that we needed to secure funding to establish a secretariat, and this was achieved through Australian Government funding in 2006. In 2008, the Australian Government provided further financial support to develop the National Standards for Therapeutic Communities in Australia.

The project was seen as part of an overall development of national standards for alcohol and other drug agencies, and as such it is intended to fit within a national framework. In its submission to the Australian Government, ATCA had outlined its intent to assist members to achieve best practice in therapeutic communities and residential rehabilitation services programming. Australasian TCs took the initiative and responded with the development of the ATCA Standard through a wide consultation process with members in Australia and New Zealand.

The ATCA Standard[2] (as it is now known), certified by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) and its accompanying Interpretive Guides for Adult and Youth TC and other residential rehabilitation services, is now being applied as part of a certification process across Australia.

The New Zealand Government, through the Ministry of Health, has also provided support with funding to develop the TC Training Course, a 17-week program which includes: 48 hours of face-to-face learning; a 40-hour supervised professional skills practicum in a TC; and 12 hours of self-directed learning. To date, two courses have been run in New Zealand, and ATCA is about to roll out training across Australia over the next 12 months, culminating in a symposium at the end of 2018.

The recently released ATCA Strategic Plan 2017-2021[3] outlines the association’s mission and priorities. This includes a strong focus on research, which has seen both a special Australasian edition of the IJTC in 2016, and increasing publication of research outcomes across a number of peer reviewed journals over the past decade. In Australasia, we are enthusiastic about TCs and look forward to ongoing professional development supported by our colleagues worldwide.

Notes

Related articles