ABI Training & Facilities

Acquired brain injury &
High complex needs specialist services provider

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Training at arbias

At arbias, we believe that education leads to better support. Our training programs are designed to equip professionals with the skills and understanding needed to work effectively with people who have an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), including those with alcohol and substance-related brain impairments.

Delivered by our experienced neuropsychology team, our sessions combine practical tools with real world insights tailored for case managers, social workers, AOD clinicians, and other health and community professionals.

We offer training:

  • In-house at arbias
  • At your organisation’s location
  • Online, by request

To organise a training session, simply call us with your details. Our team will follow up to confirm and plan the session that best fits your needs.

View Our Training Modules

Book Our Training Room

Looking for a professional space to host your own training?

The Martin Jackson Training Room at Arbias is available for external hire. It comfortably fits up to 20 participants and is fully equipped for both in-person and remote sessions.

The space includes:

  • 65-inch TV monitor
  • Overhead projector
  • PC/laptop connectivity
  • Zoom-ready setup

Whether you’re running a workshop, meeting or training session, we’re here to support you.

Got questions or want to make a booking?
Give us a call our team is always happy to assist.
Prefer to get in touch online? Just fill out our contact form, and we’ll be in touch soon.

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Training Modules

arbias ABI Identification Checklist: 1.5 to 2 hrs

arbias has developed an evidence based ABI Identification Checklist to assist clinicians across a range of disciplines and sectors to identify service users who may be at risk of having sustained an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). It is recognised internationally and won 2006 International Justice Award.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session it is anticipated that participants will gain:

  • A brief overview of ABI causes and risk factors, as well as the cognitive difficulties commonly associated with an ABI.
  • Introduction to the Checklist tool and provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to use the tool to screen people with a suspected ABI.
  • Knowledge for referral pathways for ABI diagnostic assessments.

ABI Awareness Training: Full Day Module

The aim of this introductory module is to provide participants with greater awareness of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) due to a number of causes, including alcohol and other drugs. In this interactive workshop, videos, case examples, and group activities assist participants to examine the cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and social implications for people with an ABI. Strategies that can be used to help address these issues, as well as common behaviours of concern that can arise from ABI are covered. Basic behavioural intervention and support techniques are explored using the participants own experiences with working with individuals with ABIs.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session, it is anticipated that participants will be able to:

  • Identify common causes of ABI
  • Describe common deficits and disorders associated with ABI
  • Provide compensatory strategies for people with an ABI
  • Understand brain - behaviour relationships and the effects of ABI on behaviour
  • Understand behaviour management principles
  • Identify specific strategies when dealing with behaviours of concern
  • Implement basic behavioural interventions and support plans for individuals with an ABI

ABI & Forensic Issues: Half Day Module

The aim of this module is to provide participants with knowledge and skills for working with people who have an ABI within the context of the criminal justice system.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session it is anticipated that participants will be able to:

  • Describe common deficits and disorders associated with ABI
  • Understand the relationship between ABI, offending behaviour and involvement in the criminal justice system
  • Understand the factors which lead to over representation for people with ABI in the criminal justice system
  • Know how to screen for ABI risk factors and how to refer for further assessment
  • Understand particular offence behaviours as they relate to ABI, including violent offending and sexual offending Recognize the factors precipitating an individual’s offending behaviour and involvement in the criminal justice system
  • Identify change targets for planning and treatment delivery
  • Understand the use of several common treatment methods used to manage offending behaviour

ABI & Substance Misuse: Half Day Module.

The aim of this module is to provide participants with an understanding of the impact of chronic, long-term alcohol and other drug misuse across the lifespan.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session it is anticipated that participants will be able to:

  • Understand the addiction process, including physiological and psychological dependency
  • Understand how substances affect the adolescent brain and the common cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and social implications of early drug and alcohol use
  • Understand the impact of long-term drug &/or alcohol on the brain
  • Describe both the common and differential effects of different drugs on the brain, including alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamines, inhalants, opiates, MDMA (ecstasy), benzodiazepines, and cocaine

The Interplay between ABI, Mental Health, and AOD: Untangling the Complexity: Half Day Module.

The aim of this module is to provide participants with knowledge and skills for working with people who have an ABI who present with alcohol and/or substance abuse and mental health issues.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session it is anticipated that participants will be able to:

  • Know how to screen for ABI risk factors and how to refer for further assessment
  • Describe a number of common mental health disorders
  • Understand how alcohol and other substance-related brain injury occurs and their common consequences
  • Understand how complexity/comorbidity occurs
  • Implement strategies to assist with working with complexity
  • Understand brain - behaviour relationships and the effects of ABI on behaviour

Managing ABI and Challenging Behaviours: A Guide to Positive Behavioural Interventions: Half Day Module.

This module aims to provide participants with an understanding of challenging behaviours following an ABI and the importance of using a positive behavioural management framework.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this session, it is anticipated that participants will be able to:

  • Know how to recognise challenging behaviours post ABI and what to put in place to manage them
  • Differentiate between ABI, ID and mental illness and their impact on behavioural presentations
  • How to document challenging behaviours
  • Learn the principles of positive behavioural interventions (e.g., the ABC model, practice vs reactive strategies
  • Implement strategies to assist with working with complexity.
  • Understand brain - behaviour relationships and the effects of ABI on behaviour
  • Have in place clear communication guidelines and risk management plans to work collaborative with the client and their services.

Our People

We take pride in what we do and the care we bring to every person we support. Hear from our clients on how we try to make a difference.

"As a young father, I faced many challenges, especially in securing stable housing and overcoming struggles with alcohol, AOD, and mental health. With the support of Parramatta ITS, I turned my life around. I found stable housing, accessed vital mental health services, and regained my confidence".
"As a young father, I faced many challenges, especially in securing stable housing and overcoming struggles with alcohol, AOD, and mental health. With the support of Parramatta ITS, I turned my life around. I found stable housing, accessed vital mental health services, and regained my confidence".
"I have 3 arbias staff per week; each of them are EXTREMELY knowledgeable about my needs, EXTREMELY respectful and friendly and I genuinely look forward to my times with them". - Lynda Davis, Client
"I have 3 arbias staff per week; each of them are EXTREMELY knowledgeable about my needs, EXTREMELY respectful and friendly and I genuinely look forward to my times with them". - Lynda Davis, Client
“Having an ITS Caseworker from ARBIAS as part of our team enhances the quality of the case management that we are able to deliver and assists our clients to navigate the many challenges that they often face as they re-integrate back into the community. They have the time to work individually with our higher risk clients to make the most appropriate referrals and access services to support them to break the cycle of offending.” - ITS Gatekeeper
“Having an ITS Caseworker from ARBIAS as part of our team enhances the quality of the case management that we are able to deliver and assists our clients to navigate the many challenges that they often face as they re-integrate back into the community. They have the time to work individually with our higher risk clients to make the most appropriate referrals and access services to support them to break the cycle of offending.” - ITS Gatekeeper
“I get really frustrated and angry when I have to fill out forms and answer the same questions, it really helped having someone to sit with me and help me fill it out – now I might get the right services I need” - Kylie, Client
“I get really frustrated and angry when I have to fill out forms and answer the same questions, it really helped having someone to sit with me and help me fill it out – now I might get the right services I need” - Kylie, Client
“Mark has been mad, he helped me with my birth certificate, and it looks like a hundred dollar note. It is so shiny. He also helped me get up to the RTA to get my paperwork sent off for my photo ID card”. - Mitchell, Client
“Mark has been mad, he helped me with my birth certificate, and it looks like a hundred dollar note. It is so shiny. He also helped me get up to the RTA to get my paperwork sent off for my photo ID card”. - Mitchell, Client
"arbias has supported me for the past three years, helping me rebuild my confidence, independence, and self-belief. I have faced significant trauma and challenges that left me feeling isolated, with low self-esteem and poor health".
"arbias has supported me for the past three years, helping me rebuild my confidence, independence, and self-belief. I have faced significant trauma and challenges that left me feeling isolated, with low self-esteem and poor health".

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