At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients in reducing drug and alcohol harm through outreach and one-to-one interventions.
- Company: Join WithYou, a leading charity transforming lives across England and Scotland.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £26,250, rising to £30,900, plus professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care, with strong communication and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 26250 - 26250 £ per year.
Join our team in Fife as a Specialist Harm Reduction Worker, providing high-quality recovery care to a diverse client group. If you are enthusiastic, creative and passionate about helping others, we would love to hear from you.
As a Specialist Harm Reduction Worker, we offer a starting salary of £26,250 per annum, which will rise each year in line with our pay progression salary bands, up to £30,900 per annum. This is a full-time, fixed-term contract for 12 months.
Main duties of the job:
- Support clients by providing information and advice on reducing drug and alcohol-related harm, including promoting safer drug use practices.
- Provide harm reduction interventions, structured one-to-one work, outreach harm reduction, and multi-agency liaison with partners.
- Play a key role in the development of Harm Minimisation interventions in a community setting.
- Manage an active caseload, ensuring clients are treated with respect and dignity.
WithYou is a leading charity supporting people with drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, operating over 80 services across England and Scotland, providing free and confidential support to more than 100,000 people each year.
About us:
WithYou provides free and confidential support, without judgement, to individuals experiencing challenges with drugs, alcohol, and mental health. Our name reflects who we are—a positive place where people can progress, connect with others, and receive expert help.
Person Specification:
Experience:
- Demonstrable experience working within health, social care, criminal justice, or other specialist settings, or a clear motivation for wanting to work in the drug and alcohol sector.
- A successful track record of providing efficient and reliable customer service.
- Highly organised with excellent communication skills, able to manage time effectively.
- Collaborative team player ensuring a high-quality service is maintained.
- Passionate about helping people and has a positive and engaging approach to clients and stakeholders.
To be successful in this role you will:
- Have experience of working in a health, social care, or related setting.
- Have knowledge and understanding of delivering evidence-based interventions.
- Have experience of delivering group work, specifically in outreach and community settings.
- Have knowledge of health and safety, including assessing clients in high-risk situations.
- Be resilient under pressure and able to prioritise your work.
- Be comfortable using IT and digital media.
- Be flexible with your working hours and willing to support other With You locations when needed.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be necessary to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Specialist Harm Reduction Worker employer: We Are With You
WithYou is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals facing challenges with drugs, alcohol, and mental health. Our team in Fife fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture, offering competitive salaries that progress annually, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us in a rewarding frontline role where your compassion and creativity will help shape the future of our clients in a dynamic and fulfilling environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Harm Reduction Worker
✨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 We Are With You.
✨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 We Are With You!
✨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 We Are With You, 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 We Are With You 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 Specialist Harm Reduction Worker
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 We Are With You:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Are With You! 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 We Are With You
✨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.
