Drug and Alcohol Worker in Aberystwyth

The aim of Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) is to engage drug and/or alcohol users and/or their concerned others in Dyfed’s substance use treatment system and support them when accessing it. DDAS staff will support individuals to address substance related issues, access appropriate interventions, reduce physical dependence and related health problems, reduce drug and alcohol related offending and improve physical, psychological, family and social functioning. DDAS works with substance users and their families, friends and carers in both community and criminal justice settings, delivering specific services for those involved in the criminal justice system. DDAS supports service users and their loved ones to sustain the gains they make in treatment by providing aftercare and peer support to help build social capital and prevent relapse.

DDAS is a consortium comprising three organisations, Barod, Kaleidoscope Project and G4S. DDAS is delivered throughout the geographical regions of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire. DDAS is aimed at adult drug and/or alcohol users aged 18 years of age and over, and their families, friends and carers. DDAS services are provided in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, and professional manner and in a way that demonstrates courtesy and respect for individuals using substances, and sensitivity to their unique personal situations and experiences.

The role of the drug and alcohol worker will be to assess the needs of the people who use the service and subsequently plan and deliver structured treatment interventions to empower and support people to make positive lifestyle changes. The role will work holistically with all people on case load including those presenting with needs that require brief interventions and harm reduction support through to service users requiring structured and comprehensive care planning. The role will engage with individuals who are receiving medically assisted recovery programs and aftercare support alongside. The role will also engage with individuals and organisations through an outreach approach and deliver training in line with contract requirements.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engage service users in the DDAS treatment system.
• Deliver harm reduction initiatives including needle exchange, naloxone and dried blood spot testing at our bases and throughout the communities of Dyfed.
• Deliver evidence based and manualised brief interventions and relapse prevention in group work settings and on a one to one basis to people who use substances and concerned others.
• Deliver or broker access to a range of diversionary activities.
• Provide a range of interventions including crisis intervention and information regarding substance use and associated lifestyle behaviours that reduces risk of overdose, reduces the risk of blood borne viruses, promotes healthy living and minimises the potential risks and impact of drug related crime and disorder on the wider community.
• Conduct initial and comprehensive assessments and care planning in line with the substance used and access to brief interventions prior to accessing Tier 3 structured treatment.
• Undertake risk assessment and develop and review risk management plans that seek to mitigate identified risk.
• Devise with service users and concerned others, individually tailored time-limited support plans based on a clear assessment of need that assist individuals in building recovery capital.
• Offer flexible working environments including location, duration and frequency of appointments to respond to individual needs.
• Engage service users and concerned others via open access at the base, on a rota basis.
• Provide training or talks to internal staff or external organisations.
• Support individuals who use the service beyond brief interventions, sometimes jointly with external partner agencies to ensure seamless transition between services.
• Actively support people who use the service in co-production and active participation in shaping service provision.
• Encourage involvement in mutual aid groups, peer led recovery and service user groups.
• To assess and contribute towards the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and adults within the statutory obligations of the social service and wellbeing act in line with organisational safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Enter data onto the case management system, and use the system effectively to inform work with service users and concerned others.
• Work in a flexible and responsive manner.
• Take up arrangements for support and supervision and participate in all relevant internal meetings.
• Retain and maintain all information (paper and electronic) in line with service level agreed guidelines and statutory protocols, such as GDPR.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested, but which may not be specified within the job description.

Person Specification:

Ideally all these requirements must be met by the candidate on appointment. However, in certain circumstances a candidate may be appointed who does not meet a particular requirement. This is providing that the shortfall can be made good in a reasonable time, and the candidate brings other skills, knowledge or experience which are valuable to the role and the Organisation.

• Essential:
• Full, current driving licence and use of a vehicle which is insured for business use.
• Previous experience within the field of substance use.
• An understanding of current legislation and policy in relation to substance use and mental health.
• GCSE English Literature or Language, grade C or above (or equivalent).
• Health and Social Care Diploma Level 3 (or equivalent).
• A suitable qualification in training or education.
• A suitable qualification or training in IT proficiency.

• Desirable:
• A successful track record of providing support to individuals and their concerned others, from vulnerable or marginalised groups / extensive experience of delivering substance use advice and support.
• Experience of assessing, planning, and delivering a range of evidence based, therapeutic family and carer interventions which are part of a planned, structured programme.
• Experience of providing skills-based structured interventions, triage, and crisis management to concerned others.
• The ability to promote and support the attainment of recovery capital for those individuals and concerned others, affected by mental health and/or substance use.
• Understanding the barriers, pathways, and opportunities available for people including training, skills, and volunteering.
• Practical and up to date knowledge on the principles of data-protection and confidentiality, in relation to working with young people and data.
• The ability to compile, maintain and complete accurate written records, including data capture and the use of case management systems.
• Experience of delivering a range of interventions to individuals and concerned others.
• Ability to manage and lead group work sessions.

Interpersonal skills:

• Ability to establish and maintain clear boundaries in respect of personal and professional responsibility.
• Commitment to Equality and Diversity throughout all service delivery.
• Ability to work autonomously, planning, prioritising and managing own workload, to make decisions and to work as part of a team.
• Passionate about working with people and loved ones to make a difference.

Competencies:

• Commitment to Equality and Diversity throughout all service delivery.
• Ability to work autonomously, planning, prioritising and managing own workload, to make decisions and to work as part of a team.
• Effective communication and engagement with people from all backgrounds.
• Active communication (1:1 and groups).
• Appropriate communication to match a person’s stage of circumstance and need.
• Gaining trust, respect and understanding.