At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families facing substance misuse issues and improve children's outcomes.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in Essex, recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team dedicated to enhancing lives and community well-being.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse services and working with high-risk families is essential.
- Other info: Fixed term contract until February 2026, with potential for extension.
The predicted salary is between 26900 - 32400 £ per year.
Fixed Term, Full Time
£31,931 to £36,423 per annum
Location: Basildon
Closing Date: Monday 9th June 2025 at 11.59pm
Please note that this position is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment until end of February 2026, with a possibility of extension.
Interviews will take place on 18th June 2025.
Come and join our new Multi-Disciplinary Team in Basildon, Essex! Are you ready for the challenge of being at the forefront of innovative practice?
This is an exciting time for children's Social Work in Essex. We are seeking an experienced, motivated and passionate individual to join our team. Being led by the Team Manager, you will be working to create the conditions for success within a new and dynamic multi-disciplinary team; a team providing specialist support to families. The MDT team will be based within frontline social work teams and provide bespoke specialist intervention within the community or in the families' homes.
We want you to be a part of our vision and making this a reality. If you have the drive, creativity and enthusiasm to enhance and improve the lives of Children and Families, we want to hear from you.
If you join our team, we will support you to develop an understanding of a systemic theoretical framework and embrace the excellent models of practice which underpin our interventions. You will have the opportunity to work alongside dedicated Subject Matter Experts to help those most in need.
Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, but we are also delighted to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years.
If you think you have what it takes, we would love to hear from you.
Role Description- Working alongside Social Workers, promote family members involvement to improve outcomes for children.
- Engage high risk families who have substance/alcohol misuse problems and provide them with advice about, screening and clinical interventions to address their substance/alcohol misuse.
- Carry out risk assessments, risk management plans and comprehensive assessments, and to contribute to the development of individual recovery plans with those who express a wish to access community treatment/support services.
- Work within the Multi Agency Team in order to complete an assessment with an impact and outcome analysis.
- Utilise interventions such as motivational interviewing, ITEP, cognitive behavioural techniques and brief interventions in both one-to-one and group settings to promote engagement in treatment services, encourage self-esteem, well-being, self-responsibility, enhanced motivation and therefore improve their parenting capacity.
- Review ongoing care and treatment, liaising closely with partner agencies and provide support in engaging with the right services at the right time.
- Work and liaise with other agencies involved with the client's broader care plan including health services, hospitals and GP's.
- In fulfilling these aims the post holder will use recognised, up to date evidenced based interventions and will have specific responsibility for the development, delivery and coordination of a recovery focussed model.
- The post-holder will contribute to the service to ensure that parents/carers and their children consistently receive high quality services that adhere to best practice guidelines and achieve high professional standards.
- The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the overall performance of the service to ensure that contractual output targets are achieved and will be required to record and input client data and information in order that the service operates within contractual, administrative and financial requirements.
- The post holder will be required to work flexibly across the operational site as required and within an agreed number of hours to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
- The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for personal development, identifying personal training needs and participate in regular supervision and appraisal.
- Strong experience of working within substance misuse services.
- Experience of working with high-risk families where children are subject to Child Protection or Child in Need Plans.
- Working effectively to support adults with a history of substance misuse with demonstrable outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience of being a catalyst for change in families' lives.
- Relevant Qualifications relating to substance misuse.
- Knowledge of local services and issues.
- Motivational interviewing techniques.
- Training in ITEP/BTEI or other structured psychosocial interventions.
Drug and Alcohol Support Worker - Multi Disciplinary Team, Basildon employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Drug and Alcohol Support Worker - Multi Disciplinary Team, Basildon
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by high-risk families dealing with substance misuse. Understanding their unique situations will help you demonstrate your empathy and readiness to support them during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of substance misuse and social work. Attend local workshops or seminars to connect with others who may provide insights or even referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss evidence-based interventions you have used in past roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how these techniques, like motivational interviewing, have positively impacted families you've worked with.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Multi-Disciplinary Team approach and be prepared to explain how you can contribute to this model. Highlight any previous experience working collaboratively with other agencies to enhance service delivery.
We think you need these skills to ace Drug and Alcohol Support Worker - Multi Disciplinary Team, Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in substance misuse services and working with high-risk families. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to create positive change.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting families and improving outcomes for children. Mention your familiarity with motivational interviewing techniques and any relevant qualifications you possess.
Highlight Relevant Skills: When detailing your experience, focus on skills such as risk assessment, developing recovery plans, and working collaboratively with other agencies. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly articulated.
Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, be ready to discuss your approach to engaging families with substance misuse issues. Prepare examples of how you've successfully implemented interventions in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Support Work
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for helping families and individuals struggling with substance misuse. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Interventions
Familiarise yourself with the specific interventions mentioned in the job description, such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural techniques. Be prepared to discuss how you have used these methods in past roles to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working within a multi-disciplinary team, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked alongside social workers or other agencies to support clients.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific situations involving high-risk families. Think through your approach to risk assessments and developing recovery plans, and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.