At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women with drug and alcohol issues through outreach and holistic care planning.
- Company: Join EXTERN, a leading service provider in harm reduction.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, generous pension, and enhanced pay benefits.
- Other info: Fixed term role until March 2027 with excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in support work and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 26679 - 26679 £ per year.
Salary: Grade 5 salary scale: £26,679 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week including breaks
Contract Status: Fixed Term Until March 2027
Location: 106 Bridge Street, Ballymena
About the service:
The Low threshold Harm Reduction Drug and Alcohol Services are commissioned by the PHA to provide a responsive Service within a low threshold context, to people who have drug and alcohol issues. This work involves direct interventions in the community, developmental work and the daily management of a caseload.
Specifically, working from a low threshold, harm reduction model, the female only Drug and Alcohol Worker will provide professional, pragmatic and holistic assessment, care planning and structured interventions to females with concerns with drug and alcohol use across the Northern Trust area. The post-holder will be responsible for their contribution to the delivery of a quality Service within EXTERN’s Drug and Alcohol Services Programme, by using an assertive outreach approach to engagement and support for women referred to the service.
This post will involve working with a female only caseload of service users with drug and alcohol issues (including IV drug users) as well as support with other areas e.g. housing, finances, health and family relationships, domestic violence. There will be a need to develop and run innovative service delivery methods and liaise widely with statutory, voluntary and community partners to ensure high quality intervention for service users.
Full details of the role and the essential criteria are detailed in the Job Description and Person Specification available at the following link;
The closing date for all completed applications is: 12:00pm on 10th September 2026.
For informal enquiries please contact hr@extern.org
EXTERN offer a competitive benefits package including:
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ service and 32 days after 5 years’ service
- 11 statutory holidays
- Generous pension, employer contribution of 6.5%
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay, Maternity Pay and Paternity Pay
- Life Assurance and Wellbeing Programmes
- Comprehensive induction and training
- Regular Supervision
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Bike To Work Scheme
Low Threshold Drug and Alcohol Worker (GOR Female Only) - Northern Trust Area NI70/08/26/1v-1 in Antrim employer: Extern
Extern is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Located in Belfast, the role of Project Manager - Crisis and Safe Team provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in mental health services while enjoying a competitive benefits package, including generous leave, pension contributions, and comprehensive training programmes. Join us to be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering trauma-informed care and making a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Low Threshold Drug and Alcohol Worker (GOR Female Only) - Northern Trust Area NI70/08/26/1v-1 in Antrim
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Extern.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Extern!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Extern, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Extern or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Low Threshold Drug and Alcohol Worker (GOR Female Only) - Northern Trust Area NI70/08/26/1v-1 in Antrim
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Extern:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Extern! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Extern
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
