Engagement and Outreach Worker

The Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service provides preventative, targeted and treatment interventions to young people in South Gloucestershire. As an Engagement and Outreach Worker, you will deliver an outreach service across the authority and work in partnership with youth providers to improve young people’s wellbeing, helping them to reduce high-risk behaviours and mental health concerns.

Working closely with our Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Specialists, you will deliver brief and targeted interventions, including drug and alcohol harm reduction. You will work in a trauma responsive way to holistically support young people, and so, make a positive impact on their wellbeing and future.

What You Will Be Doing

• Regularly visit youth centres and other settings to talk to young people and other professionals to promote the message of reducing drug and alcohol harm.
• Identify and engage young people who would benefit from drug and alcohol support but are less likely to approach services.
• Conduct detached outreach sessions jointly with other professionals within South Gloucestershire.
• Visit youth venues, parks, schools and homes for harm reduction and brief intervention work.
• Deliver brief intervention packages on a one-to-one basis with children, young people and families, ensuring that records and reports are maintained in accordance with service guidelines.
• Support young people to access ongoing 1:1 support with a Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Specialist and deliver presentations/group sessions to young people and groups of professionals.

What We Need From You

• GCSE qualified at grade C or above or hold an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Relevant experience of working in a similar service area with children, young people or families requiring additional support.
• Essential to be trauma aware and aspire to work in a trauma informed way.
• Demonstrate strong relationship building skills with young people who find it difficult to engage with services.
• Skilled in networking and building relationships with other professionals and agencies.
• Manage and maintain your calendar effectively to ensure punctuality and avoid scheduling conflicts or double bookings.
• Good IT experience to enable you to write reports, carry out risk assessments and deliver presentations.
• Although not essential, NVQ3 qualified in a social care/youth work/teaching or equivalent relevant qualification or working towards an appropriate qualification related to the provision of services to children and young people.

What You Need To Know

• Expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area; must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or alternative means of travel.
• Business insurance will need to be added to your insurance policy; mileage expenses can be claimed back.
• This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Badminton Road, Yate and from home.
• Working approximately two evenings a week and on occasional weekend work.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for employment.

How a Career At South Gloucestershire Council Is Different

As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.

We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance. We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring all our staff are given the right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We’re working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life. We’re investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.

We’ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We’re making a difference, be part of it!