At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals affected by drug and alcohol misuse through outreach and personalised recovery plans.
- Company: Join a compassionate team within the St Helens South Primary Care Network.
- Benefits: Enjoy NHS benefits, ongoing training, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in an innovative neighbourhood pilot programme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while helping vulnerable individuals on their recovery journey.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse support and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30414 - 36989 £ per year.
Drugs & Alcohol Worker – Neighbourhood Project Pilot
Location: St Helens South PCN Ltd Hours: 22.5 hours per week Contract: Fixed Term – 12 months (with potential extension) Salary: Band 5 & 6 DOE
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated, compassionate, and proactive Drugs & Alcohol Worker to join our friendly and supportive St Helens South Primary Care Network (PCN) team.
This exciting new role forms part of our Neighbourhood Project Pilot and will focus on supporting individuals affected by drug and alcohol misuse across our communities.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will help identify, engage, and support people experiencing substance misuse issues, providing early intervention, harm reduction advice, recovery-focused support, and signposting into specialist services.
A key aspect of the role will involve supporting young people and young adults affected by substance misuse, particularly those experiencing issues related to ketamine use and dependency.
You will work closely with GP practices, social prescribing teams, mental health practitioners, schools, colleges, youth services, local authorities, voluntary organisations, and specialist treatment providers to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities across St Helens South.
What You'll Do
In this varied and rewarding role, you will
- Identify and engage individuals experiencing drug and alcohol-related issues through referrals, outreach, and community-based initiatives.
- Undertake assessments and develop personalised support and recovery plans.
- Deliver brief interventions, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction advice.
- Support individuals to access treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, and community support services.
- Provide education and awareness around substance misuse and associated risks.
- Work with young people affected by substance misuse, including ketamine dependency.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals, community organisations, and local support services.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and neighbourhood case discussions.
- Support health improvement, prevention, and wellbeing initiatives across local communities.
- Contribute to service monitoring, evaluation, and quality improvement activities.
About You
We're looking for someone who is
- Experienced in supporting individuals affected by drug and/or alcohol misuse.
- Skilled in undertaking assessments, care planning, and case management.
- Passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals and communities.
- Knowledgeable about recovery models, harm reduction approaches, and safeguarding procedures.
- An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- Able to engage effectively with vulnerable and hard-to-reach individuals.
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Organised, adaptable, and confident using IT systems and maintaining accurate records.
- Committed to person-centred, trauma-informed approaches to care.
Desirable
- Motivational Interviewing training or qualification.
- Substance Misuse Practitioner qualification.
- Experience working with young people affected by substance misuse.
- Experience within Primary Care, Community Health Services, PCNs, or Integrated Care Systems.
- Knowledge of emerging drug trends, particularly ketamine misuse.
- Experience delivering training sessions, workshops, or community awareness events.
What We Offer
- A supportive and friendly multidisciplinary team.
- Regular professional supervision and support.
- Ongoing training and CPD opportunities.
- Opportunity to contribute to an innovative neighbourhood pilot programme.
- NHS Pension Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Enhanced NHS Occupational Sick Pay.
- Enhanced NHS Maternity and Paternity Leave.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of local people and communities.
- NHS Occupational Benefits
As part of the NHS family, you'll have access to a comprehensive range of staff benefits, including:
- NHS Pension Scheme membership – one of the most generous in the UK.
- 27–33 days annual leave (based on length of service) plus bank holidays (pro rata).
- Protected learning time and access to local and national training programmes.
- Mileage reimbursement for approved business travel.
- NHS staff discounts at major retailers, gyms, and leisure services.
- Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
How to Apply
If you're passionate about supporting people affected by substance misuse and want to play a key role in improving health outcomes across St Helens South, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now via our HRIS by clicking , including your CV and a supporting statement.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date should a suitable candidate be identified.
We do not accept unsolicited CVs or approaches from recruitment agencies. All candidates should apply directly through the official application process.
Drugs & Alcohol Worker in St Helens employer: St Helens South PCN
Join our compassionate and dedicated team at St Helens South PCN, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals affected by substance misuse. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through ongoing training and supervision, while our commitment to community health ensures that you will be part of an innovative neighbourhood project aimed at improving health outcomes. With generous NHS benefits, including a robust pension scheme and family-friendly policies, we are proud to offer a rewarding environment for those passionate about making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Drugs & Alcohol Worker in St Helens
✨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 St Helens South PCN.
✨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 St Helens South PCN!
✨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 St Helens South PCN, 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 St Helens South PCN 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 Drugs & Alcohol Worker in St Helens
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 St Helens South PCN:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Helens South PCN! 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 St Helens South PCN
✨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.
