Substance Misuse Worker – AR

Job Description

• POST TITLE: CYPS Substance Misuse Treatment Worker
• DIRECTORATE: Children and Young People’s Service
• SERVICE: CYPS Substance Misuse Service, Young Hackney
• GRADE: P02
• RESPONSIBLE TO: YP Substance Misuse Team Leader

CORE HOURS: 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday Evening and weekend work and flexible working is required

• HOURS OF WORK: 36
• Purpose

To deliver the treatment function of the CYPS substance misuse service.

The substance misuse worker will provide effective support, targeted and specialist interventions (covering tiers 2 and 3) to a caseload of clients and be an integral part of an accessible, integrated and flexible service that targets the needs of all young people aged 8 up to 25 years old in Hackney, including those in contact with the criminal justice system.

The role works as part of the team to provide a range of easy‑access services within the borough, including drop‑in provision, satellite services and evening provision, and refers to other professionals where appropriate.

To provide an accessible substance misuse service to young adults up to the age of 25 who live, are educated, attend training, employment or have a significant connection to Hackney.

To seek and engage with young adults who may have no or little contact with services for young people and who are deemed to be vulnerable.

To provide advice, information, education, support and interventions to young adults who have engaged in or are at risk of developing problems associated with drugs or alcohol use, or who have come into contact with the criminal justice system for drug‑related offences.

To positively engage young adults in need using a range of creative and proactive interventions.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients referred to the Young People’s Service for substance misuse issues, planning suitable programmes of interventions and support.
• Provide high‑quality, effective, responsive treatment interventions for young people identified with substance misuse needs, encouraging involvement in activities that complement and enhance their education, training and employment.
• Provide additional support as required at critical times and stages of a young person’s development.
• Support young people to act independently and collectively, and to be active participants in their community, promoting their physical and emotional well‑being.
• Regularly liaise with staff in other CYPS teams, the Young Offending Team and council services to share information and encourage referrals into the substance misuse service.
• Work one‑on‑one with young people, being flexible to deliver interventions in appropriate settings, including lone working.
• Provide comprehensive screening, assessment and interventions for young people with substance misuse issues, drug‑related offences, or other related matters.
• Offer high‑quality clinical and therapeutic support to a caseload, taking a holistic approach that addresses housing, family, relationships, financial issues, education and liaises with other services as necessary.
• Design and deliver tailored packages of interventions and support, considering duration, intensity, age, development and vulnerability.
• Utilise effective harm‑reduction strategies appropriate to young drug/alcohol users.
• Stay up to date with the latest drug trends, treatment guidelines and consistently deliver a high‑quality professional service.
• Work with clients to ensure the appropriate treatment pathway, including referrals to prescribing, detox, day treatment or tier 4 residential facilities.
• Support and facilitate an appropriate exit and transition strategy from the service, including signposting to other council services or preparing clients for transition into adult drug and alcohol services.
• Monitor and report on performance indicators by entering clients into the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) accurately and promptly, completing Treatment Outcome Monitoring forms and evaluating sessions to inform future planning.
• Actively seek to solve problems and provide innovative solutions.
• Work autonomously, making appropriate decisions around the treatment pathway and identifying wrap‑around services to collaborate with other professionals and partners.
• Identify and seek support to address escalating concerns as they arise.
• Deliver interventions and support for young people who have a family member with a substance misuse problem.
• Develop or participate in group work as agreed with the Service Manager and Clinical Supervisor.
• Ensure council safeguarding procedures are followed and take responsibility for personal training needs.
• Attend Young People’s Substance Misuse Team meetings, reviews and development meetings as required.
• Perform any other duties reasonably aligned with the role, subject to consultation and necessary personal development.

NB: All employees are expected to adhere to the Council’s Diversity & Equality and Health and Safety Policies.

Hackney is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS Check.

Qualifications

• Recognised professional qualification, certificate or training in Youth and Community work, Substance Misuse, Social Work, Health or an equivalent qualification at NVQ level 4.
• Degree level education in a relevant subject area, or equivalent expertise gained through extensive experience.

Experience

• Significant experience working with young people with complex needs, e. g., youth & community work, social work or teaching.
• Experience working with people affected by substance misuse.
• Experience delivering one‑to‑one case management or advocacy work and managing a caseload.
• Experience of effective engagement and motivation techniques with young people.
• Experience working in an inner‑city multicultural environment with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience of working with a local authority and in multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency contexts.

Skills

• Empathy, understanding and a solution/outcome focus.
• Effective communication and development of trust with young people in therapeutic relationships.
• Interview and assessment skills.
• Risk assessment and understanding of child protection and governance.
• Planning, review, delivery and evaluation of social, educational and motivational interventions and drug treatments within an outcome‑focussed framework.
• Initiating and maintaining effective communication and working relationships with colleagues, services and agencies.
• Collaboration with other practitioners to deliver effective interventions and wrap‑around support.
• Understanding the work of key professional practitioners and effective liaison with them for consultation or referral.
• Leading young people and working on initiative.
• Flexibility to arrange meetings according to the needs of the young person at suitable times and locations.
• Knowledge and Understanding
• Up‑to‑date and in‑depth knowledge of the physiological, psychological and social effects of substance misuse.
• Knowledge of current young people’s substance misuse service frameworks and guidelines.
• Knowledge of local services for children and young people and referral pathways to provide a holistic service, including when to refer to tier 4 services.
• Understanding of client needs assessment, session planning and evaluation.
• Understanding of needs of young people in culturally rich and diverse communities.
• Knowledge of vulnerable high‑risk groups regarding substance misuse and young people.
• Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding practice for vulnerable young people, including hidden harm.
• In‑depth understanding of a variety of service delivery and treatment options and how to tailor them in diverse settings.
• Knowledge of standard IT packages, including Microsoft Office and online database software.
• Other
• Willingness to work unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.
• Potential work with young people who have demonstrated violent or sexually harmful behaviours towards others, and who present a high risk of harm to self or others.

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS Check.

#J-18808-Ljbffr