A Brief History of SACC
The idea of SACC was first discussed during the early 2010s, when several of the remaining larger local Councils on Alcohol came together in response to the withdrawal of funding and support for voluntary alcohol counsellor training and accreditation that had previously been provided by Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS).
Initial members of the group included representatives from Edinburgh and Lothian Council on Alcohol (ELCA), Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol (DACA), Substances Support Scotland (then Fife Addictions Support Service - FASS), Murray’s Initiative (then Glasgow Council on Alcohol - GCA) and Tayside Council on Alcohol (TCA).
The group recognised that changes to the AFS training could lead to a loss for services, as there would no longer be a clear pathway for recruiting and training new voluntary counsellors. As a result, early discussions within SACC focused primarily on how an alternative training offer could be developed. Various meetings took place, particularly in relation to the potential delivery of a new training programme and from these discussions the Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course began to take shape.
During the early years there were also numerous discussions around the sustainability of SACC and it was felt that in order to ensure stability, funding options should be explored. Initially, some members made small donations and applications were also submitted to several trusts. In 2014, SACC became fully constituted and a Board of Directors was appointed.
The Board at that time felt it was important for the new course to be accredited, and an application was made to COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) for validation of the Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course. This application was successful in 2017.
The Board also recognised that, in order to fully take forward the work of SACC, a paid Co-ordinator was required. This role was recruited in 2018 and supported by Murray’s Initiative. Directors also felt that a more secure avenue for funding was needed, and discussions took place with the Scottish Government in 2020, which were successful. The year 2020 also marked the point at which SACC’s Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills was fully developed and validated by COSCA.
Although local Councils on Alcohol have been viewed as a successful grassroots movement and were once the most utilised non-statutory service in Scotland (Slattery et al., 2003), with 32 councils on alcohol in operation, many of SACC’s original member organisations, such as Moray Council on Alcohol and Orkney Alcohol Counselling & Advisory Service, unfortunately no longer exist today. This reflects wider changes in health and social care agendas, the move towards tendering for services and the wider funding landscape in Scotland.
Despite the loss of some local Councils on Alcohol, SACC has continued to grow its membership among alcohol and drug support organisations and now has 11 member organisations located across Scotland.
SACC has evolved into the organisation it is today: a member-led body recognised and funded by the Scottish Government, with a fully accredited training pathway for alcohol counsellors, a dedicated Manager and Training Development Officer, and a growing national voice. Its core purpose remains to provide support to individuals and families affected by alcohol and other addictions in Scotland.
References:
Slattery, J. et al. (2003) Prevention of Relapse in Alcohol Dependence. Health Technology Assessment Report No. 3. Glasgow: Health Technology Board for Scotland.
