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Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course
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The Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) Course explains the knowledge, skills and performance expectations associated with drug and alcohol services. Learners explore service delivery, service management, commissioning, role profiles and how occupational standards support workforce development.
Suitable for practitioners, managers and support staff, this introductory course helps learners recognise how DANOS can inform professional responsibilities, training needs and service quality.
Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course Summary
Course Name: Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) Online Training Course
Duration: 1 hour
Delivery: Online Training Course
Certificate Included: Instant Digital Certificate
Accreditation: CPD Accredited – 1 CPD Point
Suitable For: Substance Misuse Practitioners, Healthcare Professionals, Social Care Workers, Mental Health Teams, Support Workers, Service Managers, Commissioners and Volunteers
Assessment: Online Multiple Choice Test
Access: Instant Access – 12 Months
Duration
1 hour
CPD Points
1
Last Updated:
25 Jul 2026
What is Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) training?
Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) training introduces the occupational standards developed to describe competent practice within drug and alcohol services.
The standards provide a reference point for identifying the knowledge, skills and performance expected of workers involved in reducing substance-related harm.
This course explains the structure of DANOS, including its three key areas: service delivery, management of services and commissioning services.
Learners explore individual standards, occupational role profiles, the boundaries of the framework and its relationship with wider substance misuse initiatives.
DANOS remains part of the National Occupational Standards, although NHS England’s newer capability framework now provides updated guidance for the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery workforce.
The training supports introductory knowledge and continuing professional development. It does not independently assess practical competence or qualify learners to deliver specialist interventions.
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Who Is This Course For?
The Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course is suitable for professionals and volunteers working in services where drug and alcohol-related needs are identified, managed or supported.
Relevant roles include substance misuse workers, recovery practitioners, addiction support workers, drug and alcohol advisers, counsellors, therapists, social workers, case managers, healthcare assistants, nurses, mental health practitioners and community support workers.
It is also relevant to rehabilitation staff, youth workers, probation and criminal justice professionals, peer support workers, volunteers and employees involved in community outreach.
Service managers, team leaders, training coordinators, workforce development professionals and commissioners can benefit from learning how DANOS relates to job responsibilities, service delivery and occupational competence.
The course is appropriate for staff induction, introductory professional development and refresher learning. No previous specialist knowledge of DANOS is required.
Key Benefits
✓ Understand the structure and purpose of the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards.
✓ Identify the three key areas covering service delivery, management and commissioning.
✓ Recognise how DANOS role profiles relate to workplace responsibilities and expected performance.
✓ Apply occupational standards when identifying staff learning and development needs.
✓ Support consistent professional practice across drug and alcohol support services.
✓ Strengthen knowledge of workforce standards, accountability and service quality expectations.
Course Modules
- Course Introduction – Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards
- What are the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards
- Who are DANOS for?
- Three Key Areas in DANOS
- What is Not Covered by DANOS?
- What do the DANOS Standards Look Like?
- Role Profiles
- How is DANOS Used?
- The Role of DANOS with Other Initiatives
- Updated Drug Strategy 2002
- Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England
- Models of Care
- Standards for Better Health
- QuADS
- What are the Units in DANOS?
- Key Area – Service Delivery
- Key Area – Management of Services
- Key Area – Commissioning Services
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Learning Outcomes
Learner Outcome | Covered |
|---|---|
Explain the purpose of DANOS within drug and alcohol services | ✓ |
Identify who the DANOS framework applies to | ✓ |
Describe the three key areas of DANOS | ✓ |
Recognise responsibilities within service delivery | ✓ |
Explain standards for managing drug and alcohol services | ✓ |
Identify the role of commissioning services | ✓ |
Recognise what is not covered by DANOS | ✓ |
Interpret the structure of DANOS standards and units | ✓ |
Explain how DANOS role profiles relate to job responsibilities | ✓ |
Identify how DANOS supports staff training and development | ✓ |
Describe how DANOS relates to other substance misuse initiatives | ✓ |
Recognise historical drug and alcohol strategies linked to DANOS | ✓ |
Explain how occupational standards support consistent service delivery | ✓ |
Distinguish knowledge of DANOS from assessed workplace competence | ✓ |
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What Our Learners Say?
“Clear explanation of the DANOS framework and how occupational standards relate to substance misuse support services.”
Sarah Mitchell
Substance Misuse Support Worker
“Helpful introduction to role profiles and the different responsibilities involved in delivering and managing drug and alcohol services.”
James Carter
Recovery Practitioner
“Useful for understanding how occupational standards can support staff development and consistent service delivery.”
Rebecca Thompson
Service Manager
4.81/5 from 99+ learners
Why Is Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) training important?
Drug and alcohol services support people who may experience complex health, psychological and social needs. Clear occupational standards help organisations define responsibilities and establish expectations for safe, consistent professional practice.
DANOS provides a structured reference for service delivery, management and commissioning, helping workers recognise the skills and knowledge associated with different roles.
For example, a recovery service manager may use occupational standards to identify learning needs, clarify responsibilities and support staff supervision.
Understanding these standards can help organisations reduce the risk of unclear accountability, inconsistent practice and gaps in workforce development.
Although newer capability guidance now informs workforce development, DANOS remains a useful reference for understanding the development of occupational standards within the sector.
This training supports professional knowledge but should be complemented by role-specific training, supervision and practical competence assessment where required.
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Is Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) training a legal requirement in the UK?
No. There is no general UK legal requirement for workers to complete a course specifically covering the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards.
However, employers must ensure staff possess the knowledge, skills and competence required for their responsibilities.
In England, Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires providers of regulated activities to provide appropriate staff training, supervision and professional development.
DANOS can support workforce development and role expectations, although NHS England’s updated drug and alcohol workforce capability framework should also be considered.
Employers should assess training requirements according to job responsibilities, service risks, regulatory expectations and commissioning arrangements.
Completing this course can provide evidence of introductory CPD learning but does not establish occupational competence or guarantee regulatory compliance.
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Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) training FAQ?
What are the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS)?
The Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) describe knowledge, skills and performance expectations associated with working in drug and alcohol services.
They cover three main areas: service delivery, management of services and commissioning services.
DANOS helps organisations understand occupational responsibilities and identify workforce development needs. The competencies remain within the National Occupational Standards, although newer workforce capability guidance has been introduced.
Who needs Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards training?
DANOS training is relevant to substance misuse workers, recovery practitioners, healthcare professionals, social workers, mental health teams, support workers and volunteers.
It can also benefit service managers, training coordinators and commissioners responsible for workforce development or service delivery.
The course is particularly suitable for employees who need an introductory understanding of occupational standards during induction, professional development or refresher training.
Is DANOS training a legal requirement in the UK?
No. UK legislation does not generally require workers to complete a specific DANOS training course.
However, employers must ensure staff are appropriately trained and competent for their responsibilities.
In England, CQC Regulation 18 requires registered providers to support workforce training and development. DANOS may contribute to understanding occupational expectations, but it does not replace mandatory training, practical assessment or relevant professional qualifications.
How long does the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course take?
The Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Online Training Course takes approximately one hour to complete.
The course is delivered entirely online, allowing learners to study at their own pace using a computer, tablet or mobile device.
Learners receive 12 months of course access and complete an online multiple-choice assessment. A digital CPD-accredited certificate is available immediately after successful completion.
What are the three key areas of DANOS?
The DANOS framework is organised into three key areas.
Service Delivery concerns the occupational activities involved in delivering drug and alcohol services.
Management of Services addresses responsibilities associated with organising and managing services.
Commissioning Services concerns the commissioning functions involved in planning and securing appropriate provision.
Understanding these areas helps learners distinguish between frontline, management and commissioning responsibilities.
What is the difference between DANOS and the newer NHS England drug and alcohol workforce capability framework?
DANOS describes occupational competencies associated with drug and alcohol services and remains part of the National Occupational Standards.
NHS England published a newer capability framework in March 2025, subsequently updated in June 2026, to reflect the changing requirements of the treatment and recovery workforce.
The newer framework provides updated guidance on role-specific capabilities, including knowledge, skills and behaviours.
DANOS remains relevant as an occupational standards reference, but it should not be treated as the only current workforce guidance.
Does completing this DANOS course qualify me to work as a substance misuse practitioner?
No. Completing the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course provides introductory knowledge of the framework and its application.
It does not award a regulated professional qualification, certify occupational competence or authorise learners to carry out specialist assessments or clinical interventions.
Substance misuse practitioners may require additional qualifications, supervised experience, workplace assessments and specialist training depending on their responsibilities and employer requirements.
Will I receive a CPD certificate after completing the DANOS course?
Yes. Learners receive a CPD-accredited digital certificate after successfully completing the online assessment.
The course carries one CPD point and provides a record of introductory learning about the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards.
The certificate can be downloaded or printed and may support staff development records, induction evidence and continuing professional development.
Unlimited assessment retakes are included.
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Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards Course
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