Criminal Justice Drug and Alcohol Worker in London

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 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.

Role Purpose

The role of the criminal justice partnership and engagement worker will be to assess the needs of people who have criminal justice involvement across the service and to deliver interventions to empower and support people to make positive lifestyle changes. The role will also engage with individuals and organisations through an outreach approach and deliver training in line with contract requirements.

• Engage service users in the DDAS treatment system.
• Liaise with Criminal Justice colleagues, improve pathways and integration.
• Take an assertive outreach approach with an emphasis on those with out of court disposals to increase engagement with those issued with adult community resolutions as part of Dyfed Powys Police’s out of court disposal scheme.
• Support individuals at custody suites.
• Deliver harm reduction initiatives including needle exchange, naloxone and dried blood spot testing at our bases and throughout the communities of Dyfed.
• 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.
• Offer flexible working environments including location, duration and frequency of appointments to respond to individual needs.
• Provide training or talks to internal staff or external organisations.
• 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.
• 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 in line with service level agreed guidelines and statutory protocols, such as GDPR.
• Take up arrangements for support and supervision and participate in all relevant internal meetings.
• Develop an end of year report that will evidence quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate the success of the role to partners.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested, but which may not be specified within the job description.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.