Service Swanswell

Location Worcestershire – County wide working required, see advert for specific administrative base.

Cranstoun is a charity empowering people to live healthy, safe and happy lives. Our skilled and compassionate teams work with service users, families and communities, helping them to make positive changes. We offer a wide range of services across England, including community-based outreach, treatment and recovery, detox, supported housing, and specialist services for young people and families and carers. We’ve been making a difference since 1969 by combining our expertise with innovative approaches, and putting people at the heart of what we do.

1

Substance Misuse Worker Post Information Pack

JOB DESCRIPTIONJob purpose / Context:

Swanswell’s Substance Misuse Workers are responsible for co-ordinating the treatment of service users, helping them to deal with their substance misuse so that they can change their lives and be happy and reach their recovery goals.

We’re looking for talented and motivated people to work with our service users in Worcestershire. If you’re someone who enjoys problem solving to help people to change their lives for the better, this role’s right for you. The most important thing you’ll bring to this role is your desire and ability to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

You’ll need to be able to work with service users holistically, helping them to access other services that can help with the practical problems they may be facing as a result of their substance misuse (e.g. housing, financial, healthcare etc).

We’ll provide you with regular supervision sessions, giving you the opportunity to discuss your work with your supervisor.

Responsible to:

Team Leader

Hours of work

37 hours per week - You will be required to work some evenings, weekends, bank holidays and some unsociable hours in order to meet our service delivery requirements. Swanswell operates a flexible working system, so you’ll be able to work flexible hours based on service needs.

Transport

This role will require you to regularly travel to appointments in the community and other Swanswell offices, so a current driving licence and own transport would be desirable.

1. Key activities and responsibilities

Manage a caseload of service users, helping them in their recovery to address their substance misuse issues and achieve a healthier lifestyle. This will include completing assessments and brief interventions with service users.

Work with service users and other professionals to identify an individual’s needs. Create and implement a purposeful support programme that is accurately recorded and regularly reviewed.

Provide service users with advice, information and help to access practical support for the things that may be contributing to their substance misuse.

2

This could include helping service users to contact housing agencies, GP and healthcare services, and employment support.

Work effectively with partner agencies to deliver a quality service, focussed on achieving positive change for service users. This will include working alongside GPs at Shared Care surgeries.

Keep accurate records in accordance with organisational standards and reporting requirements.

Keep up-to-date with best practice in substance misuse treatment including alcohol and substitute medication prescribing and management.

Contribute to the continuing development of Swanswell’s services. Maintain high standards of office security, confidentiality and

administration. This includes ensuring the safe and secure keeping of files on Swanswell premises and any premises used by Swanswell.

Carry out all aspects of the role cost effectively and in line with Swanswell’s policies, the requirements of funders and all relevant clinical standards/frameworks.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of service users, relevant others (particularly children and vulnerable adults) and members of the community.

Carry out other duties appropriate to the role, as necessary or requested.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONQualifications

Qualification or demonstrable relevant experience at NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

Evidence of providing proactive support for other people Developments in treatment interventions with substance misusers Harm reduction principles and practice Knowledge of the criminal justice system Understanding of community care issues

Abilities and attributes

Ability to manage own time, prioritise activities and maintain accountability for your work

Maintain confidentiality of all data and information Accurate record keeping Ability to work non-judgementally Cultural awareness Ability to engage fully with people Maintain clear professional boundaries Adopt a person-centred focus to communication Work proactively with internal and external teams Liaise with other agencies to support service users Open minded and willing to develop professionally Good IT skills and ability to use MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

3

Able to use a computerised database for case file management

4