At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with mental health and substance use challenges through harm reduction interventions.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at St. Anne's Community Services making a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy rising annual leave, flexible working, and continuous training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a difference in people's lives while building community connections.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications and experience in mental health or substance use support.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join Our Team – Make a Real Impact! Are you passionate about supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges? We’re looking for a dedicated professional to join our Harm Reduction Team, enhancing the Leeds Complex Psychosis Pathway.
What You’ll Do:
- Engage directly with service users, delivering harm reduction interventions and guiding them towards community-based support services, particularly through Forward Leeds.
- Work in partnership with LYPFT staff to break down barriers and improve access to alcohol and drug services for underserved communities.
- Advocate for individuals, ensuring their health and social needs are met.
- Collaborate with multiple agencies and take the lead in building new partnerships to enhance service user support.
Why Join Us?
- Meaningful work that directly improves lives.
- A collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Opportunities to build strong community connections and drive real change.
If you’re committed to harm reduction and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and be part of a team that truly cares.
Main duties of the job:
To work as part of a harm reduction team to enhance the Complex Psychosis Pathway to meet the needs of people with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. The aim of the role is to engage with service users to deliver harm reduction interventions and support them into community support services, with a particular emphasis on referrals into Forward Leeds.
Working in partnership with LYPFT staff, the role will aim to reduce boundaries and support communities that may not be accessing alcohol and drug services. You will support and advocate on their behalf, ensuring as far as possible that their health and social needs are met. You will work closely with other agencies and be proactive in establishing links with new partners.
You will be part of a dynamic and responsive team so a positive attitude and a willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of our services users is essential. You will be working in accordance with the values of St Anne’s Community Services and Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust.
Working for our organisation:
- Rising annual leave each year to a maximum of 33 days (including statutory holidays)
- 24 Hour Employee Assistance Programme
- Continuous opportunities for ongoing training and career development
- Cycle To Work scheme
- Refer A Friend recruitment initiative
- Flexible working opportunities (where applicable) upon successful completion of probation period
- Group Personal Pension Scheme
- Discounted income protection scheme
- Free car parking at most services
- Free life assurance cover
Detailed job description and main responsibilities:
Service context: The Complex Psychosis Pathway provides a whole-system, city-wide approach enabling individuals to access the right care at the right time. Service users may move flexibly across pathway components depending on need, including:
- Assertive Outreach
- Community Rehabilitation
- Complex Psychosis Practitioner Hub
- Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Out of Area Case Management
- Recovery College & Community Services
Service users often present with:
- Severe and enduring mental health conditions (e.g. complex psychosis)
- Co-occurring substance use
- Multiple hospital admissions and/or Mental Health Act involvement
- Social exclusion, housing instability, and high-risk profiles
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical & Service User Work:
- Complete initial assessments for individuals presenting with substance use and mental health needs
- Deliver harm reduction interventions, including brief interventions (up to 6 sessions)
- Use evidence-based screening tools such as AUDIT and ASSIST to inform care planning
- Develop and implement person-centred support plans addressing substance use, mental health, and social needs
- Promote safer substance use practices and overdose prevention strategies
- Support service users to access appropriate services, including specialist drug and alcohol services
- Advocate for individuals to ensure their health, social care, and recovery needs are met
- Actively engage individuals who services often cannot reach or disengaged from services
Multidisciplinary & Partnership Working:
- Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams including Assertive Outreach, inpatient, and community services
- Attend MDT meetings, handovers, and care reviews
- Build strong working relationships with partner agencies (e.g. housing, social care, Forward Leeds)
- Facilitate referrals and joint working across services
- Contribute to a whole-team approach to engagement and risk management
Staff Support & Development:
- Provide training, guidance, and advice to staff on substance use and harm reduction approaches
- Increase workforce confidence in working with dual diagnosis
- Promote best practice and evidence-based interventions
Case Management & Administration:
- Manage a defined caseload and deliver time-limited interventions (up to 6 weeks where appropriate)
- Maintain accurate and timely records using electronic systems
- Use outcome measures to monitor progress
- Ensure referrals are prioritised and responded to efficiently
Safeguarding, Risk & Governance:
- Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with policy
- Contribute to risk assessments and risk management plans
- Work within lone working procedures and safety protocols
- Adhere to information governance, confidentiality, and data protection standards
- Ensure compliance with NICE, CQC, and organisational standards
Service Development & Values:
- Contribute to ongoing service development and improvement
- Promote service user involvement, co-production, and participation
- Uphold principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Engage in supervision, reflective practice, and continuous professional development
Key Working Relationships:
- Mental Health Teams (Assertive Outreach, Rehab, Inpatient Units)
- Substance Use Services
- Housing and Social Care Providers
- Emergency Departments and Crisis Services
- Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations
N.B. This is a job outline only and seeks to set out the principle purpose and function of the job. It may therefore be subject to change.
Person specification:
Experience:
- Essential criteria: Previous experience
Qualifications:
- Essential criteria: Relevant qualification
Driving License:
- Essential criteria: Must have full UK driving license and willing to drive service vehicle (van)
Harm Reduction Worker - LYPFT Complex Psychosis Pathway employer: St Annes Community Services
St. Anne's Community Services is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real impact in the lives of individuals facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. With a strong emphasis on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits such as rising annual leave, flexible working opportunities, and continuous training for career development, all within a collaborative and supportive team environment in Leeds. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values meaningful work and fosters community connections.
Contact Details:
St Annes Community Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Harm Reduction Worker - LYPFT Complex Psychosis Pathway
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their approach to harm reduction and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to mental health and substance use. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who want to make a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Harm Reduction Worker - LYPFT Complex Psychosis Pathway
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for harm reduction and supporting individuals with mental health and substance use challenges shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a real impact in the community!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role and responsibilities outlined in the job description. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with what we’re looking for in a Harm Reduction Worker.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Annes Community Services
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Harm Reduction Worker. Familiarise yourself with harm reduction strategies and the specific challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in similar roles or settings. Think of specific examples where you've engaged with service users, advocated for their needs, or collaborated with other agencies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask the interviewers about the team dynamics, the support available for staff, and how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if the organisation is the right fit for you.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Positivity
Highlight your willingness to adapt and work flexibly to meet the needs of service users. Share examples of how you've maintained a positive attitude in challenging situations, as this is crucial in a dynamic environment like the Complex Psychosis Pathway.
