Contents
Page No
Chairpersons’ Statement
2
Overview & Context
4
Policy Context
5
Mission Statement
6
Social Ideology
6
Range of Services on Offer
6
Structured Day Programme
Community Alcohol Detox
Counselling Support
Outreach
Family Support
Empowering Women in Sobriety
Review & Update 2010 – 2014 Strategic Plan
9
Core Areas for Development of Service
14
Priority Actions
17
Outcomes for Service Users
20
Testimonials
21
References
25
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Chairpersons Statement
Turas Counselling Services Ltd is a Community Based Addiction Service which has since its
inception in 2005 continued to develop its supports to target evolving needs. It offers a range
of Support Services in a community setting for problem and recovering substance users.
Turas aims to offer a continuum of supports which are person-centred, offering emotional,
psychological and practical supports to aid the person in their journey to a substance free
lifestyle.
This Strategic Plan for 2015-2017 puts forward a concise and focused approach for all areas
of the Organisation aligning itself with the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. This plan is
of shorter three year duration, compared to the previous five year strategy. This has been
deemed prudent by the Board of Management of Turas based on prevalent financial
constraints and impediments that are impinging on the Service at this time. It is of
paramount importance to sustain and continue the supports that are already in existence at
the highest level possible.
There has been much good work and development of supports over the last strategic period.
The counselling capacity of the service has steadily increased so that now nine counsellors
operate on a part-time and sessional basis some in a voluntary capacity. A pilot six week
Motivational Programme carried out jointly with Dundalk Simon Community has proved
very successful in encouraging and engaging service users to utilise initially some of the
supports on offer within Turas and the HSE Addiction Services. The Community Detox
Programme has received some increased funding to develop a Community Benzodiazepine
Protocol in tandem with the existing Community Alcohol Detox Initiative. There have also
been greater linkages, partnerships and protocols created with the Probation Service and
with local GP’s. This will undoubtedly bare greater fruit in the future.
There are many challenges and aspirations for the service in the short to mid-term future.
Both the Managers and Board of Management of Turas hope to ensure that Turas
Counselling Service Ltd becomes fully QuADS compliant during this timeframe. It is
envisaged that a Human Rights Based Approach will be developed and integrated into all
areas of practice also. There is a definite need to enhance and formalise collaboration further
with the HSE Addiction and Mental Health Services where there is clearly cross-over of
supports and interventions for service users. The Board of Management have recently
formed a working group to focus on governance issues within Turas and to identify areas
that may need change to come in line with Codes of Governance for the Community and
Voluntary Sector. Fundraising and the continuous need to source other streams of funding
will undoubtedly play a greater part in services provision in the future.
Over the last decade Turas Counselling Service Ltd has become embedded in Dundalk and
the greater North-East Region. This has not happened by accident, many elements act in
unison for this to occur, Managers, Counsellors, Volunteers, Fundraisers, Board of
Management to name but a few. The diligence, level of service and adherence to best practice
by all, have in my opinion as Chairperson enabled the Service to offer a more effective and
positive support mechanism to those in need.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Like all ventures, we cannot rest on our laurels. The purpose of a Strategic Plan is to set
goals, outcomes and create a focused roadmap for the future. The Strategic Plan 2015-2017
for Turas Counselling Service Ltd, if adhered to will ensure a continued level of effective
service to meet the needs of those in recovery in the North East Region who wish to engage
with the Structured Day Programme and associated supports and to meet the needs of those
in distress due to substance abuse in the greater Dundalk area.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Overview and Context
It is important to place the service delivery of Turas Counselling Services Ltd. and the
development of their three year strategic plan within the context of the National Drugs
Strategy’s 2009-2016 key priorities for the development of service provision and the current
research available on Drugs Use in the North East Region. Turas while located in Dundalk
provides support to those who are resident in the North East Region (Louth, Meath,
Monaghan, Cavan) and the services are funded by the North East Regional Drugs Alcohol
Task Force and the HSE.
Overall Strategic Objective
The overall strategic objective for the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is:

to continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of
drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention,
treatment, rehabilitation and research
Within the Treatment and Rehabilitation pillar the two objectives are:
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to develop a national integration treatment and rehabilitation service that provides
drug free and harm reduction approaches for problem substance users
to encourage and support problem substance users to engage with, and avail of, such
services
From its inception in 2005 Turas has developed and provided a range of support services for
problem substance users and recovering problem substance users, delivered within a
community setting and in keeping with current recognised best practice standards. However,
this provision of service is not static and looks for ways in which to adapt to meet the
evolving needs of service users. These support interventions have been evidenced as
achieving successful outcomes for our service users.
In developing the three year Strategic Plan Turas Counselling Services Ltd has considered:
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where Turas Strategic Plan will sit with the National and Regional Plan
the need to review existing and potential future service provision in line with both the
Regional and National Plans
sustainability and continuity
identifying overall goals and then the specific targets and time frames that will
indicate we are meeting our overall goals – these can be generally be broken into one
year / operations work plan which have a greater level of detail of specific tasks.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Policy Context
1.1 The National Drug Strategy (interim) 2009-2016 under action 4.29 states that the
development of residential and aftercare services is a crucial element of providing
alternative drug free approaches to problem drug users. It also acknowledges that this
approach is resource intensive and there can be heightened risks in the event of a relapse
and therefore it is critical that individuals involved have access to follow on structured
supports in the community and a continuum of care model to maximise their potential
for success.
1.2 The NHSD National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse Residential Drug
Treatment Services: Good Practice in the Field (May 2009) cite as one of the key points
of good practice as being established routes into and out of treatment, with clear
arrangements for preparing people for treatment and for aftercare and re-integration.
1.3 Doyle and Ivanovic (2010) in the National Drugs Treatment Framework Document state
that the four tier model of care will act as an overarching framework for the provision of
rehabilitation pathways. Tier 3 interventions are detailed as specialised structured
community addiction services that typically consist of specialised drug assessment and
co-ordinated, care-planned treatment which includes psychotherapeutic interventions.
In the integrated model of rehabilitation provision within the Framework Document it
acknowledges the range of supports required to meet the complex needs of service users
including Aftercare.
1.4 The NTA in Commissioning for recovery, drug treatment, re-integration and recovery in
community and prisons: guide for drug partnerships state in choosing interventions
Commissioners should ensure a full range of treatment, wraparound care and aftercare
support options are available to aid recovery. They also state the importance of engaging
with clinicians to inform strategy and drive quality, service design and resource
utilisation. In Building Recovery in Communities: a summary of responses to the
consultation the NTA highlight a number of key messages from the treatment field
including:

to focus on the individuals recovery from addiction as opposed to recovery
from a substance allowing systems to focus on the needs of the individual

recovery is an individual, person centred journey and will mean different
things to different people

people must have a choice of pathways into recovery, but the goals for
recovery must be in the direction of becoming drug free

the provision of high quality treatment that prepares service users for
recovery while protecting communities

links to support networks to sustain long-term recovery and re-integrate
people back into society

there is good evidence that the skills of the worker and their ability to build a
therapeutic alliance are vital and that the most important task for the service
provider is to identify and maintain the attitude and beliefs required to
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
inspire sustained change in clients. Without the appropriate attitude and
beliefs, competence and knowledge are not enough.
Mission Statement
Turas Counselling Services Ltd. is a community based addiction service that aims to offer a
range of confidential supports along a continuum of care that are respectful of both the
uniqueness of the individual’s recovery journey and their capacity to change. Through the
provision of psychological, emotional and practical supports Turas hopes to provide a bridge
to reconnect service users to a substance free lifestyle.
Social Ideology
The social ideology is based on community care – service-users remain in their own
community during therapy. To that end Turas offers a continuum care service that provides a
range of interventions / supports that are delivered within a community setting.
Range of Services on Offer
Structured 20 Week Day Programme
Turas have developed a Structured 20 Week Day Programme specifically designed in
response to the needs of recovering problem substance users within our community who
wish to look to their future with a view to change. The twenty week programme is run twice
annually offering group process and individual counselling support. The principals
underpinning the programme of empowerment, respect and support offer safe therapeutic
encounters within the group process and individual counselling in which recovery work takes
place.
Eligibility Criteria
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over 18 years of age
two to three months drug/ alcohol free
must be available/willing to attend three full days per week with additional one hour
counselling session for the twenty week period
if on the Methadone Programme, the service user must be stabilized for a period of
two to three months
if there are past mental health concerns, the service users current mental health must
be stable
if on prescribed medication, the service user must be medication compliant
All of the above can be explored and clarified at the assessment interview.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Referrals
Referrals are taken from Statutory and Voluntary Services, G.P’s, Community Services and
Turas also accepts Self-referrals.
Community Alcohol Detox
This service supports individuals with an alcohol dependency to detoxify from alcohol using
a number of methods including pharmacology and psychosocial interventions, harm
reduction techniques and ensuring a range of wrap-around support is available, e.g.
counselling, structured 20 week day programme, housing advice and training opportunities.
In this regard effective multi-agency working is essential.
The following is offered:
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assessing a person’s needs
developing care plans
carrying out risk assessments
providing harm reduction advice to clients
recording accurate case notes
preparing reports
motivational interviewing
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
co-ordinating services and liaising with other agencies
engaging and supporting carers and families
group work re: motivational work/ relapse prevention planning
key working re: pre exit through to post detoxification
The clinical governance arrangements underpinning practice are consistent with national
guidance and principles, and in line with the evidence base. (Drug Misuse and Dependence
UK Guidelines on Clinical Management 2007 NTA p17).
This involves:
•
a GP/clinical nurse specialist in place with links to HSE Alcohol and Mental Health
services thereby providing appropriate clinical governance
internal and external supervision in place within Turas
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
•
•
The Clinical Practice Guidelines are:



to ensure that the community detox service can address both the physical and
psychological needs of the service user during withdrawal from alcohol
to deliver a practice specification for the community detox service that reflects
current best practice in assessing, matching and the management of treatment needs
of service users
using a continuum of care approach within a multi-disciplinary and inter-agency
setting working towards supporting service users identified goals is clearly working to
current best practice guidelines
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Criteria for Community Detox
•
•
•
•
•
physical dependence on alcohol and desire to detoxify in community
no history of severe withdrawals, seizures or D.T.s
an identified support person and an alcohol/drug free environment
no evidence of severe physical ill health
no evidence of mental health disorders which may be exacerbated by detoxification
process
Counselling Support
Turas provides a confidential screening, assessment, brief intervention and counselling
service to service users who are experiencing problem substance use. The counselling
support is delivered within a confidential and safe environment in which to explore their
difficult life issues.
Counselling can be used as a stand- alone intervention for service users who want to reduce
their use or gain abstinence as preparation to meet the criteria for accessing the Structured
20 Week Day Programme, or as an additional therapeutic support for those already engaged
in the Structured 20 Week Day Programme.
Outreach
In the various stages of recovery a range of services are needed to support service users.
The outreach service offer support to service users across the continuum of care, delivering
harm reduction advice, motivational and cognitive behavioural coping skills sessions. It also
offers a range of wrap-around support including liaising with other agencies to co-ordinate
services to maximise training, education and employment opportunities and advocacy
support on housing and benefits issues. This service also provides two weekly outreach
clinics within the community and is available to clients who wish to access the range of
services on offer within Turas. The outreach clinics provide support to young people aged 14
years of age upwards.
Family Support
Families are often caught up in the chaos and distress that comes with problem substance
use. A family support group is a safe, confidential and non-judgemental place for family
members of drug/alcohol users to come together to discuss common issues in dealing with
drug/alcohol use within their family.
The North East Family Support Network facilitates a weekly family support group in Turas
on: Friday morning: 11.00am— 1.00pm
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Empowering Women in Sobriety
Acknowledging that women are particularly vulnerable while both dependant on substance
and in recovery, has prompted a women’s only self-help group, Empowering Women in
Sobriety to be established.
It is facilitated in Turas on:
Friday Afternoon: 1.00pm– 2.30pm
Review & Update 2010 – 2014 Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan launched in July 2010 identified twelve areas for priority action
over the next five years. Work has been completed on a number of these actions and
work is still on-going on the remainder. Many of these are also linked to the on-going
process of becoming QuADS (Quality Standards in Drugs and Alcohol Services)
compliant.
Completed Actions to date:
6 Week Motivational Programme
Turas in partnership with the Dundalk Simon Community have developed and
piloted the 6 Week Motivational Programme to work with service users who are
contemplating change in their substance use. The outreach worker and keyworker
delivered (co-facilitated) the Motivational Programme, which has been targeting the
Dundalk Simon service users whose substance use is still somewhat chaotic, in
preparation for one to one engagement with either the key-worker or counsellor. It
has proved effective in encouraging and supporting the service users engaging with
support services within Turas, including the community alcohol detox and the
treatment services both locally and nationally.
On the back of a presentation on the delivery of the Motivational Programme
delivered to the outreach workers in the North East Region at an NERDATF meeting,
the NERDATF requested that the Motivational Programme be given to all of the
addiction services within their remit. It is now envisaged that Turas will engage in
further interagency partnerships in Louth through the co-facilitation of the
Motivational Programme to identified target groups.
Action Completed
Counselling Service
The counselling capacity has been increased with 9 counsellors (3 volunteer) working
either on a part-time or sessional basis. However, maintaining this increased
capacity is very much reliant on on-going funding. The current NERDATF funding
has not reflected this increase therefore the ability to deliver the service at this level
may be compromised.
Action Completed
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Community Detox
The Community Alcohol Detox was accepted by the HSE as one of the National Pilots
for Inter-Agency working. Funding was secured from the HSE for the project to fund
a G.P., Nurse Practitioner, Counsellor and Harm Reduction/Outreach Worker on
either a sessional or part-time basis. The Staff have been appointed and the Detox
Pilot has been operational from November 2011. From February 2012 the service was
expanded out to include referrals from local G.P.s. This has been a very positive
development for the service. The NDRIC evaluation took place on Monday the 10th
September 2012 and the findings were published in October 2013. The findings of
the evaluation identified that the Turas / Simon Pilot had fully implemented the
NDRIC Protocols for interagency working with very positive outcomes for service
users.
Several presentations of the service have been delivered to a number of National
Services and Dublin Task Force Services and Turas are currently supporting them in
an advisory capacity to establish Community Alcohol Detox in their own areas. The
Community Alcohol Detox is a significant aspect of service provision and is in
keeping with the recommendations of the Steering Group Report on a National
Substance Misuse Strategy (February 2012) that support the provision of community
detox services for those with alcohol dependency and to promote the expansion of
the nurse prescribing role. In the new strategy 2015-2017 the development of the
nurse to a nurse prescribing role will be prioritised.
Having cognisance of the emerging trends of benzodiazepine misuse within the
Louth area, in 2013 an additional €20k was secured after a meeting with the Minister
Alex White to support the service to develop a community benzodiazepine protocol
(utilising the national community benzodiazepine protocol as a guideline) and to
pilot this with a small number of service users within the Community Alcohol Detox
service.
Funding for the project has been awarded on an annual basis. To ensure continuity,
effectiveness and value for money, it is crucial that funding for the duration of the
project is mainstreamed through the HSE as part of core service delivery.
Action completed
Structured 20 Week Day Programme – Working within the parameters of Best
Practice
The managers and facilitators of the programme have continued to review and
evaluate its effectiveness and where appropriate have altered and enhanced the
content and delivery. This work is continually on-going and all new learning from
training and research in the area of addiction and recovery is applied where
appropriate. Recently the managers have sought to benchmark the service in keeping
with what would be considered current best practice:

in offering guidelines or a framework for commissioners of services and substance
misuse service planners Substance Misuse Rhondda Cynon Taf in the document
Open Access, Personal Development, Support and Aftercare Services suggest the
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
philosophy underpinning this framework is the belief that individuals should be
encouraged and supported to acquire knowledge and skills in order to reduce the
impact their substance misuse has had on their lives.
They recommend the following:

Aftercare and Support Services should be community-based services, set in services
that have been specifically designated for the programme (purpose built or
converted) and have rooms designated for specific parts of the programme (e.g.
group work and life skills). It suggests its delivery in a number of ways including
Structured Day Programmes.
Suggested Components of Day Programmes should include:

duration be 3-5 days per week

development of individual care-plans that include Personal Development Plans

they are formerly structured and offer emotional and psychological support,
educational and life skills work and related activities, advice and information, harm
reduction support and further assessment and appropriate referral

individual one-to-one support

group sessions offering stress management, relapse prevention, communications
skills, relationship skills, anger management and access to complementary therapies

support re-integration into communities and use an inter-agency approach to
support access to education, training, employment, housing support etc. and where
needed access to mental health services

it is essential that all treatment services are aware of provision of aftercare support
and discuss this with service users and that there is appropriate liaison between
treatment and aftercare
Turas believe that the programme that is currently delivered while being subjected to
continuous assessment for its effectiveness certainly incorporates the above criteria.
It also promotes the building of social capital, which in turn supports social
inclusion. Forrest and Kearns consider the key components of social capital as being:
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Empowerment
Participation
Associational activity
Supporting networks and reciprocity
Collective norms and values
Trust safety
Belonging
Action completed
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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Key Working and Outreach
The key working role has been developed and extended to the community referrals
facilitated through the expansion of outreach service.
Funding for this expansion has been accessed from the Department of Environment
through the Social Initiatives under the Cox’s Demesne Regeneration Scheme from
Dundalk Town Council. This has facilitated the provision of a satellite clinic which
has been established in The House in Cox’s Demesne, operating two mornings per
week.
It is necessary that funding for this post can be secured to facilitate three days per
week in 2015.
As stated above the Motivational Programme is fully operational with a number of
programmes delivered each year.
Action completed.
Networking Group
Turas have continued to develop the Turas Aftercare Programme Networking Group
which meets on a monthly basis and has continued to encourage and facilitate social
activities to promote confidence building and interpersonal skills through learned
experience. Through the development of strong community and voluntary
partnerships, this group has been able to access a range of progression pathways. It
continues the work of the Structured Day Programme in the building of social
capital. There is a core group attending regularly and it also facilitates Turas tracking
past programme participants over time.
Action completed
Partnerships
The Inter-agency Protocols between Turas and Dundalk Simon have been fully
operational from January 2011 and are continuing to work well.

Work has begun on the development of three-way protocols to include
Dundalk Women’s Aid.
 The process of developing formal Inter-agency Referral Protocols to include
shared care planning is nearing completion with the local Probation Services.
 Turas has also attended a presentation delivered by Tusla regarding the
Meithal Model and has delivered an overview of the services on offer in Turas
to the Tusla staff members.
 Partnerships have also been forged with local G.P.s as part of the Community
Alcohol Detox and of the delivery of core services. This was reflected in the
volume of local GP’s who attended an evening seminar organised by Turas
where a number of presentations were made to highlight the range of services
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
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and supports on offer. Guest speakers were Dr Ide Delargy - National GP Coordinator for HSE Addiction Services, Dr Austin O’Carroll – Methadone
dispensing GP in the Dublin area and Andy Ogle, Louth Addictions Services
Manager HSE.
Turas have engaged with DKIT to provide drug awareness and service
provision seminars for students. It also facilitates placements for Social Care
students. The student placement from the Social Care Department has
provided the student with hands on experience and supervisory support while
working within an addiction setting. The feedback from both students and
tutors has been extremely positive and to date, each student has undertaken a
project that has provided a valuable contribution to Turas as an organisation.
Turas facilitate two twelve week student placements yearly.
CALW - Turas have found the inter-agency working with the DDAG and HSE
in utilising the CE Scheme to train and offer work experience within the
addiction field to a CE worker to be a positive initiative. Turas provide the
supervisory support while the HSE addiction services provide the line
management.
Turas have met with the Regional Manager HSE, Fiona Murphy, Social
Inclusion Manager HSE, Michelle Donnelly and Louth Addiction Services
Manager HSE Andy Ogle to discuss how more positive interagency
relationships can be developed between the services. Turas believe that a more
formalised interagency working arrangement with the HSE Addiction Services
and Mental Health Teams would enhance the outcomes for shared service
users who have complex needs by providing seamless care.
On-going discussions with the NERDATF to improve contact with the local
psychiatric and addiction services are taking place. This action is partially
completed as there is still lack of regular contact with support services
highlighted above. However, the managers of the Community and Voluntary
Services funded by the Task Force now meet on a regular basis to discuss
shared challenges and concerns. This has been a very positive development.
While this specific action has been completed, by its very nature this
work will remain on-going.
Fundraising
Due to cuts in funding in 2010 it was agreed that a dedicated sub-committee should
be set up to focus specifically on fundraising to raise additional funds to maintain the
level of service provision in response to demands on the service. This committee
developed through the dedication and commitment of staff, Community
Employment employees and volunteers from the Board of Management who
committed the time and effort to raise the awareness of the profile of Turas
Counselling highlighting the essential work undertaken within the organisation.
The funding generated through this work has supported the continued service
provision within Turas at a level to meet the ever increasing needs. Without the
services provided through this funding many of the service users would not have
been able to access the appropriate supports necessary to gain and sustain recovery.
On-going Work
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Staff Competencies
The managers have conducted a skills audit of all staff and have actively encouraged
and supported their continued professional development, through delivery of inhouse training and accessing external training through the NERDATF. However it
has been recommended that the NATP (under the HSE) will establish core standards
/competencies for all staff working within the addiction field and have been tasked
with the development of training to meet these standards for both the Statutory and
Voluntary/Community Sector. The managers will monitor the development of these
standards and work towards compliance.
On-going Work
Human Rights Based Approach
While the Ethos of Turas encapsulates a human rights based approach to its work,
the development of a formalised strategy including a Human Rights Action Plan is
still an aspiration. However in 2014 we hope to progress this through the work
undertaken to become QuADS Compliant in 2015.
On-going Work
Core Areas for Development of Service
Services
In the document A Review for the Development of Psychological Therapy Services (Dec.
2008) 4.2 states that the key service principles which service commissioners and providers
in the Statutory, Voluntary, Community and Private Sectors should work to are outlined
below. What is needed to underpin the effective and safe services are:
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Evidenced based practice
Appropriate training and skills
Appropriate supervision
And a robust monitoring and evaluation function to drive improvements
A service evaluation framework will be required to ensure implementation protocols meet
national standards in terms of:
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Clinical effectiveness (e.g. measures of symptom reduction, improved
psychological well-being and indices of social inclusion)
Efficiency and cost effectiveness: (e.g. waiting times, meeting targeted
population)
Governance of workforce (e.g. training and supervision)
Service user experience and satisfaction with service
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
Turas as an organisation moving forward recognises the importance of engaging in a process
of monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the services provided support the achievement
of optimum outcomes for our service users. To this end we plan to:
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Review and evaluate current service provision to monitor effectiveness – identify the
process that will facilitate this – explore the rational for the extension of service
hours
Service users involvement – prioritise services user input into all levels of service
provision and identify a process that will facilitate this
Governance
The Board of Management has established a sub-committee to:
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review current governance processes
identify the changes that are required to adopt the Governance Code for the
Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations
set out a time frame in which these changes will be implemented
QuADS (Quality Standards in Drug and Alcohol Services)
The process of compliance with QuADS will be on-going and the managers with the support
of the Board of Management will develop a timetable for delivering each suite of policies. As
part of the Governance process the managers again with the support of the Board of
Management will identify the mechanism of how a Human Rights Based Approach will be
formerly developed, introduced and integrated to existing practices.
Staffing Profile
Turas has over a number of years built up a skilled team of experienced workers, including
trained counsellors, facilitators and outreach/harm reduction workers (paid part-time,
sessional and also voluntary) who support the delivery of a range of services including the
Structured Day Programme and as clearly evidenced from a best practice model of care. This
staffing level means that the work undertaken with often vulnerable service users is delivered
with the upmost care and safety and optimises the potential for positive outcomes.
Currently all counsellors and facilitators are accredited, or are in the process of obtaining
accreditation from the following IACP, BACP, IAHIP and IAAAC organisations. They are
engaged in a continuous process of up-skilling as part of their continued professional
development. While an annual audit of skills base within the service is undertaken by the
management to ensure that it meets with what is considered current best practice within an
addiction setting, Turas acknowledge that additional work is needed to ensure a more
standardised approach is utilised in our work with services users and that training such as
CRA, CBT, CBCS and DBT are accessed when possible. Therefore Turas will prioritise the
development of a Conceptual Framework for the work undertaken with Turas Service Users
to provide accountability (recording and reporting on outcomes). The introduction of the
eCASS system will facilitate the recording of qualitative therapeutic outcomes. The clinical
oversight of the work undertaken as part of regular staff team meetings, peer supervision
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
meetings and through regular one to one supervision will ensure the efficacy of the work with
service users through the provision of appropriate governance.
Human Rights Based Approach
In our 2010 -2014 Strategic Plan one of our priority actions was to develop a Human Rights
Based Approach to our work, through presenting recommendations to the BOM to initiate
the process and agree a formal Human Rights Action Plan. While Turas considers the way in
which the service is delivered as being in keeping with this Approach, it has yet to formalise
this.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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Priority Actions for 2015 – 2017
Area
Action
When
Services
Accountability
To ensure that the system in place to monitor
and evaluate all areas of service provision is
reviewed and updated utilising recognised
standardised tools within the addiction field
On-going
To begin a process with the appropriate
agency whether within an academic or
addiction setting that would facilitate the
Structured
Day
Programme
being
independently evaluated and possibly linked
to a recognised educational/vocational award
2017
To ensure that Turas remains committed to
delivering services that are under-pinned by
evidence based practices and to this end that
all staff engage in a process of up-skilling
through CPD
On-going
To support service users input into service
delivery by strengthening the existing
structure through which service users can
provide input and receive feed-back
2015
Governance
The Board of Management has established a
sub-committee to:
 review current governance processes
 identify what changes are required to
comply with the Governance Code for
the Community and Voluntary Sector
 set out a time frame in which these
changes will be implemented
2015
QuADS
To continue to develop and review the library
of protocols recommended in QuADS to
govern all aspects of service provision in
parallel with the Board of Management subcommittees work on the Governance Code
Compliance
On-going
Training
and
supervision
Through on-going supervision and staff
appraisal and with cognisance of the evolving
needs of service user’s Turas will establish a
training programme to ensure best practice
standards are adhered to from induction
On-going
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
onwards:
 through delivery of in-house training
 accessing NERDATF/HSE training
programmes
 where needed and finance permitting
buying in specific training to meet
identified needs
Development
Turas in response to an identified need of
service users who are in full-time
employment and requesting out of hours
appointments will review the current
opening hours of 9 – 5 and explore ways in
which we can match the additional need.
However any expansion of the service will be
funding dependant.
On-going
Through the active engagement with the
various support services there has been an
expressed interest in developing a men’s
specific group similar to the Empowering
Women in Sobriety. However an attempt to
develop this group in 2014 was not
successful.
 Turas will facilitate the development
and
promote
the
on-going
sustainability of a men’s specific
group.
2015
Inter-agency
collaboration
Turas believe that inter-agency collaboration
is an essential component of delivering
effective supports whether through a care
planning process or accessing and utilising a
wider body of knowledge and experience that
different services hold.
 Turas will continue to actively engage
in a process of inter-agency
collaboration to explore these
opportunities with other service
providers both statutory and
voluntary with a particular emphasis
in jointly developing and delivering
programmes that would target
identified needs such as a
benzodiazepine group.
2015
Building
To monitor the current building’s capacity to
house the expanding services and meet with
the needs of those service users whose
mobility is compromised. To ensure that
On-going
Out of hours
service
Men’s specific
support group
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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those service users with compromised
mobility have access to the range of support
services through provision in alternative
accommodation.
Funding
The managers with the support of the Board
of Management will endeavour to:
 secure the current funding streams to
protect the existing services
 increase current funding levels to
meet
existing
costs
through
identifying and prioritising sourcing
additional funding pools
 accessing sources of funding to
support any additional development
of services including the possibility of
funding additional staff to offer outof-hour service provision
 draw on the existing and target
additional expertise needed within
Board of Management to support this
work
On-going
Fundraising
To build on the existing capacity within the
Fundraising Committee through recruiting
individual/s with a skill set to the BOM who
could contribute to the Fundraising
Committee
On-going
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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The Outcomes for service users – their journey with Turas
Art Work Created by Structured Day Programme Participants
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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Testimonials from Programme Participants
Woman in her 50’s from Louth
I drank for many years and didn’t realise I had a problem when I finally did I went to a
treatment centre, all though it was good and got me sober I found it difficult coming home
and functioning in my home and social life without alcohol. After my husband died I went
through a really bad episode of drinking and one morning I woke up and my son had put
loads of pictures on my wall with small quotes under them saying to get help, to stop
drinking and to do it for myself. I then started to attend AA meetings I did find the AA
meetings good but still wasn’t able to fully stop drinking. I then heard about Turas from
someone I met at an AA meeting he had previously done the 20 week programme and spoke
really highly of it and told me I should go in and speak to one of the counsellors. After
speaking to a counsellor I decided to join the group I was so nervous I just thought can I do
this and not touch a drink for the rest of my life. When I joined the group I wasn’t too shy
about speaking in front of everyone as I had already been attending AA meetings and had got
used to it in a sense. But I wasn’t used to the way the counsellor’s work with us it was like
nothing I seen before they all worked so well together and all staff had an idea what was
going on in your life and you always felt and knew they were there for you in a nonjudgmental way. They really helped me to look inside myself and express emotions I never
knew I had they helped me to organise everything that was going on in my head, and to build
shelves and place my problems in boxes and when ready to take them out in bite size pieces
and deal with those emotions. The group helped me and gave me advice on how to live my
life without my husband and I was able to open up and express myself and felt like I was
completely understood. I made great friends in Turas that I still keep in touch with and also
have them there as part as my support network. Turas taught me how to ask for support
from my family and by doing so I was able to rebuild relationships that were strained
because of my addiction. Being part of the group and also attending counselling really
worked for me I have never had any other treatment like this where I get both types of
support and it was what I really needed. When the 20 weeks was over I did have a bit of a
panic thinking am I going to be able to practise all I was taught and stay sober, and being
able to continue counselling for however long afterwards made me feel secure in finishing
the programme. Because the programme was run three days a week and I was then able to go
home every evening it meant I didn’t have to adjust my home life which was a huge struggle
for me in past treatment centres. Turas gave me the coping mechanisms I needed to stop my
addiction and five years later I am still in recovery Turas is my saving grace and any time I
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
2017
need them they always make time for me and I try to help out when I have time with any
fundraisers that they have just to give a little back after everything they have done for me.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
Turas Counselling Services Ltd Annual Report 2017
Woman in her 30’s from Dundalk
I was listening to the radio one day and heard an advertisement for Turas and went to my G.P
and told him I wanted to start counselling. I didn’t wait for a referral I just called into Turas I
was so determined to get help and stop drinking. I will never forget the fear of walking
through the front door and relief of coming out know that I have finally gotten help. I then
got a phone call from Nora and began counselling twice a week there was no waiting around.
It was so tough when I began counselling all the emotion I had buried were all coming back
and the guilt of what I put my family through was the most hurtful of all.
After five or six months of counselling I really started to see a difference in myself and
finally understood my disease. I was then ready to join the group but I was so scared I wasn’t
great at socialising, and when I drank I isolated myself I wouldn’t go to pubs or bars. But I
remember leaving the first day and thinking how lucky I was because there so many people
whose addiction was worse than mine and who didn’t have the strength yet to be as
determined as me. The group really helped me to get to the core of my addiction they were a
huge support for me because I didn’t have my family for support they just weren’t able to
understand my addiction and why I couldn’t just stop.
Before I knew it my whole lifestyle was changing in other to avoid triggers that would make
me want to drink and I remember feeling like I could never have a life if I didn’t drink. Being
part of the group and sharing was the biggest help to me because I was so use to isolating
myself and I couldn’t do that anymore. I was now able to talk to people who really
understood what I was going through and weren’t judgemental I really felt I could say
anything to them . The group really helped me to find myself in a sober way, I still keep in
touch with them and attend the network groups monthly which are a real boost for me be able
to see how well everyone is doing. I also took part in the Women’s Sobriety group for a long
time which was a great support and it helped me to become more spiritual and is another way
for me to express and release my emotions.
My disease is still an ongoing battle for me and I still get cravings but I know they will
always pass I just need to keep myself busy and no longer isolate myself, and if things ever
take a bad turn I know I can go to Turas for help and that is a great relief for me. My family
still don’t fully understand my addiction but they are trying and are being more supportive
every day because they can see the positive change in me.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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Man in his 50’s from Louth
The first time I ever drank I knew I didn’t drink like everybody else I had to drink until I hit
the floor. When I married I started to go to AA meetings but only to keep everyone off my
back I never took it seriously, and I remember reading a leaflet at one of the meetings and on
it had said ‘’Drink will take everything from you and when it’s done that it will come back
and take your life’’. I remember just laughing at it and that evening went to the pub and was
sitting there with a pint and still laughing at it. At the very end of my drinking I lost
everything, my money, home, wife and kids and it was then I thought about what I had read
on that leaflet and how true it was. At this stage in my life I hit rock bottom in a way I never
thought I could, I went to two treatment centres but didn’t feel I was treated like a human,
not like the way I was treated in Turas. After spending awhile sleeping rough I went to the
Simon Community and after staying there for another while I stopped drinking. But like
many times before I knew it wouldn’t last too long. My key worker in The Simon Community
got in touch with Turas and I began counselling and after a few sessions I joined the 20 week
group programme. Doing the few weeks of counselling before joining the group helped to
ease me in and know how to open up to others in the group. I learnt so much from the
program and finally understood why I felt like I needed to drink, I never felt like I mattered
in life or what I said or did mattered but Turas changed that for me, it helped me see that I
do matter and to no longer be passive but assertive. I enjoyed the programme so much it
really worked for me and when I was finally able to ask for help I was given it in a way I never
could have imagined. I made great friends in the programme that I still keep in touch with
today and six years later I am still in recovery. At times I do struggle and have been able to go
back to Turas for advice and counselling and I know I can always turn to them for help.
When I finished the programme I was so afraid and didn’t want the group to end, the time
just went so quick and when the program was finished I attended counselling for a good
while afterwards and also AA meetings. Dundalk is so lucky to have a service like Turas and
without it I don’t know where I would be today I owe Turas everything. When I was finally
honest and asked for help I was given it straight away from Turas, there was no hassle no
waiting list. I still attend AA meetings and also the Network Group in Turas when I have time
and I have rebuilt my relationship with my kids and am now good friends with my wife I
have finally gotten my life back.
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Turas Counselling Services Ltd Strategic Plan 2015
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References
Commissioning for Recovery Drug Treatment, Reintegration and Recovery in the
Community and Prisons, A Guide for Drug Partnerships. National Treatment Agency for
Substance Misuse. Effective Treatment Changing Lives www.nta.nhs.uk
Doyle, J. & Ivanovic, J. 2010 National Drug Rehabilitation Framework Document, National
Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee, Health Service Executive, Dublin
Forest R, Kearns A. Social Cohesion, Social Capital and the Neighbourhood. Urban
Study2001; 38:2125 -43
Substance Misuse Rhondda Cynonfat – Open Access, Personal Development, Support and
Aftercare Serivces www.substancemisusect.co.uk
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The services provided by Turas are part funded by the NERDATF and the HSE
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