Drug and Alcohol Specialist Support Worker

We’re looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Drug and Alcohol Support Worker to join our Homelessness Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets. £29,073 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Benefits:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24‑7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff’s commitment and contribution

What You’ll Do:

• Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and external partners, creating a positive atmosphere
• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
• Key‑working the most complex service‑users with particular needs aligned with Drug and Alcohol dependency
• Creating support plans for providing appropriate services based on ongoing assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customers to progress in their recovery
• Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of "positive risk taking"
• Providing support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their recovery and empower customers to self‑manage their medication regimes through individual re‑enablement programmes and informed decision making
• Undertaking support work in partnership with external stakeholders to complement their interventions, leading on partnering with specialist stakeholders
• Upskilling staff team in particular area of expertise – Drug and Alcohol dependency
• Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
• Demonstrate strong commitment to the functioning of the staff team and to support colleagues in providing a high level of service and safety to customers

About You:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Socially adept, networks widely, well connected in sector, influential
• Approachable, open & professional behaviour
• At ease in directing others, is assertive and independent minded, will challenge others, and skilled in resolving conflict
• Drives change, enjoys dynamic diverse environments and demonstrates entrepreneurialism, creativity and innovation
• Demonstrates significant confidence and high levels of self‑esteem

Essential:

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area (e.g. substance misuse, addiction, psychology, Health and Social Care).
• Experience building and developing strong professional partnerships with external providers.
• A minimum of 2 years experience in complex needs services, community development, addiction counselling, drug and alcohol work or other related fields.
• Good written and oral communication skills

Desirable:

• 2–3 years experience providing targeted recovery focussed support to individuals with needs around trauma, mental health, substance use and dual diagnosis.

About Us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not‑for‑profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co‑design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us. We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values: We focus on Excellence and innovation. We are Caring and Compassionate. We are Inclusive and Trusted. We work in Partnership and are One‑Team. Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.