Lived Experience Network Drug and Alcohol Use Project Co-ordinator in Birkenhead

SUMMARY OF POST

The Post Holder will assist the training manager to co-develop and coordinate the Wirral Lived Experience Network for Drug and Alcohol Use (LEN).

The contribution that those with Lived Experience of problematic drug and/or alcohol use can make to the continuing development and delivery of services is widely recognised and greatly valued.

Listening to their experiences of the impact this can have on lives offers important insight into how best to design services to make them as appropriate and effective as we can.

It increases our capability to understand the needs and to then provide the most effective support.

Wirral has a Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery system that has always incorporated many people with Lived Experience into its workforce, and the services have benefited greatly from the perspective and creativity that this has provided.

Wirral Mind and Wirral Council Public Health are working together to establish, among other engagements, regular monthly meetings that will offer an open and independent forum to discuss new issues, proposals, plans, and current service delivery, and that will be an accessible resource that commissioners and service providers can call upon to provide views and expertise to inform their work.

The intention now is to continue and expand this contribution and embed this in a more structured and independent way into the ongoing service delivery, regular review, and development.

This Post will play a key role in the co-design of the LEN from the outset of the group and will be integral to the success of the initiative.

Including ensuring lived experience representation on the Wirral Combatting Drugs Partnership and partnership meetings.

TENURE

This is a full time post until the 31st March 2027 for 35 hours a week.

DUTIES

• Promote the project to the network of drug and alcohol services, explaining the purpose of their role and the aims and ambitions of the project.
• Raise awareness of the opportunities offered by the LEN network to community group meetings and to individuals and assist the Training Manager to recruit and enrol enthusiastic members on to the LEN.
• Co-ordinate/Facilitate monthly Lived Experience meetings that will bring together all those interested in being available for consultation, offering feedback and constructive criticism, and generally contributing to the delivery, development and continuing improvement of drug and alcohol services.
• Work with the Training Manager, Commissioners and LEN members to review the terms of reference of the project, and either get their approval, or involve their feedback and ideas in the further development of these Terms of Reference, and of the aims, objectives, and desired outcomes.
• Work with the LEN members to review agreement as to the structure and rules of these meetings, and on what these meetings will aim to achieve, as well as the nature of involvement of commissioners.
• Work with the group to prepare a quarterly report on the group’s activity, issues raised, involvement with commissioners and strategy development, and what changes have been instigated in service delivery as a consequence of their involvement.
• Administrate the documentation required when recruiting LEN members.
• Relate empathetically by recognising, understanding, and acknowledging emotions and insights experienced by others.
• Treat participants with dignity and respect while staying within a professional framework and understanding professional boundaries.
• Use established processes and procedures to challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory, or exploitative behaviour and practice, bringing any such behaviour to the attention of Wirral Mind Management.

Report all safeguarding issues to the Registered Manager.

• Respect and maintain the dignity and privacy of participants, protecting his/her confidentiality whilst clearly explaining policies regarding disclosure of information.
• Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern-day technology in an efficient way.
• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures and understand the mission of the organisation and the motives of this specific project.
• Maintain accurate, concise, and up to date records.
• Identify and respond appropriately to individuals in crisis situations in a timely manner, making use of all resources and assistance of senior staff.
• Ensure you look after your own wellbeing and mental health and seek supervision/debrief following difficult situations.

Person Specification

Essential

• Lived Experience
• A good general education to A-Level or equivalent, including English.
• Effective verbal or written communication skills.
• Confident speaker, able to deliver talks and facilitate focus groups.
• Office administrative experience.
• IT literate, experience of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Charity Log and email.
• Ability to work under own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Ability to organise own work and meet deadlines.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Full clean driving license and access to a vehicle.

Desirable

• Experience of coordinating a project.
• NVQ administration qualification to level 3 or equivalent.
• Knowledge of mental health issues and the work of agencies involved in mental health
• Knowledge of drug and alcohol issues and the work of agencies involved in recovery.