Vision & Mission

Our Vision

To be recognised nationally and internationally as the leading AOD organisation that promotes and provides the Therapeutic Community (TC) Model of Care of the highest standard.

 

Mission Statement

To foster personal growth within an Alcohol and Other Drugs therapeutic program, incorporating Harm Minimisation and Co-existing Mental Health Initiatives.

 

Objectives

The overall framework from which our objectives are derived is to foster health gains within individualised and streamlined therapeutic programs to attain the highest possible levels of physical, mental and social health for our clients in order to discover a new way of living.

Current strategic aims that define our future include:

• Continuously improve quality, retention and outcomes of client services
• Actively consult with consumers (past and current), stakeholders and funders on other areas of community concern
• Improve workforce development e.g. retain competent and high performing staff, students, interns and board members
• Increase organisational capacity so that more people can access our services
• Increase our research endeavours to better demonstrate efficiency of the TC model.

 

Philosophy

WHOS believes that the understanding of harmful substance dependence (includes alcohol) and the treatment of people with problems related to harmful substance dependence can be greatly enhanced by involvement/interaction with people who have lived through the experience. In this way WHOS supports and adopts a self-help approach, which is based on peer support within the therapeutic community method of treatment.
From admission WHOS has a commitment to introducing clients to self-help and relevant aftercare, local health district AOD and advocacy programs. WHOS believes that active involvement within these services and external support groups together with individual counselling and group work are integral aspects of a successful outcome.
These self-help, consumer advocacy and aftercare programs/services provide an important network of support for clients after they leave, wherever they choose to settle along the harm minimisation continuum.
By providing clients with the necessary skills to help themselves and each other the “We” principle comes into being for the entire community, thus the name We Help Ourselves. A sense of being part of a community is established or re-established.

 

Goals

• To provide best practice care and support services to promote recovery and reduce drug related harm
• Invest in workforce development to retain skilled staff
• Partner with funders and other agencies to achieve positive outcomes, including abstinence, stabilisation and the reduction of harm caused by substance misuse
• Effective planning in preparation for future ever-changing funding environments
• Continuously monitor and evaluate performance against our targets and key performance indicators to ensure we stay true to our mission and report regularly on the effectiveness of our services.

 

Values

• Consumer consultation, valuing their feedback and involvement at all times
• Client confidentiality
• Uphold and promote client informed choice and cultural diversity
• Organisational transparency
• Quality in service provision using evidence-based practice

 

Service Quality

The WHOS Organisational Structure consists of a management structure with service managers for each site or service, centralised resources support including administration, WHOS treatment services management, services enhancement unit, nurse and medical management (included HIV/Infectious diseases and harm reduction program coordination), work health and safety (WHS) monitoring and the quality improvement (QI) Program. Infrastructure positions (mostly unfunded) include a property, services and amenities coordinator; quality improvements and systems officer; vocational educators (catering and grounds work/gardener).
WHOS corporate planning process involves staff and stakeholders at various levels including, but not limited to:

• Strategic Planning at board and management levels
• Site specific Operational Plans
• QI year plan of evaluation activities
• Staff and client SWOT analysis
• Satisfaction surveys (client & staff)
• Policy review and development
• WHOS performance monitoring and reporting systems are rigorously maintained and systematically monitored.

 

WHOS as an organisation is committed to Continuous Quality Improvement Management. Staff are committed to this process and have been proactive in ensuring WHOS continues to maintain quality and continuous improvement through all levels of the organisation, and maintaining best practice in meeting the organisational goals of both clients and staff.