Understanding Complex Needs

This section looks at what complex needs are, and why services should become complex needs capable. The main points are that:

• Every person accessing your service will have multiple needs, but it's the interaction of these multiple needs that leads to complexity.
• There are many pathways to complexity and there's no one model or set of strategies to use when working with clients with complex needs.
• Becoming complex needs capable means moving towards a more inclusive and holistic model of service delivery where you have the knowledge, skills and confidence to support clients with complex needs.
• Most drug and alcohol services already work with clients with complex needs, but there is a high level of 'hidden' disability among people accessing services.
• Each person with complex needs has a different pathway to their current circumstances as a result of their unique life experiences. A common feature of people's experience is marginalisation.