Background: To date, little attention has been given to the concept of quality of life around human resources employment programmes for staff working with persons with a dual diagnosis. Method: This article describes the implementation of quality of life principles to service provision for people with dual diagnosis and its application to staff training. Results: This type of experiential training facilitated change in staff's attitude to, and treatment of, the people served. Conclusion: Human resources development programmes should be based on the same core quality of life principles and domains that guide service delivery on the individual level.