JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Substance Misuse Worker (Specialism in Drug Misuse) – Passage House
CONTRACT: 12 Months – Fixed Term
SALARY: £26,572 – 28,123pa inc LW + pension and other benefits (NJC scale range point 26 –28)
HOURS: Average of 35 hours per week excluding breaks as part of team rota
ANNUAL LEAVE: 33 Days per year including bank/statutory holidays
PROBATION PERIOD: 6 Months
NOTICE PERIOD: 4 Weeks
RESPONSIBLE TO: Complex Needs Coordinator
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An enhanced DBS check is required as this position will involve working directly with vulnerable adults
About Passage House
Passage House is as 40 bed hostel for rough sleepers who are referred to the project by our Outreach partners.
Passage House aims to provide the highest quality support to a range of individuals with complex needs, providing a safe and welcoming place to live with an overriding emphasis on developing therapeutic relationships with residents so that they become better equipped and more able to overcome negative cycles of behaviour and experiences. Passage House continues to develop effective engagement with residents as the project embeds its place within the Westminster Hostels Pathway as the Engagement and Transformation Hostel where there is an explicit expectation that residents use the time they are at Passage House to take part in activities and meaningful involvement, link in with services and become motivated to make positive changes in their lives and actively take part in their own recovery. We nurture an enabling environment for residents which will:
· Have as a focus the nature and quality of relationships within the service
· Value a resident’s contribution to the environment and promote their taking greater responsibility
· Have engagement and purposeful activity as a running theme and encourage creativity and taking initiatives by residents
· Have transparent decision making across the service with an open dialogue with residents on areas of development
· Recognise all behaviour, even when potentially disruptive, as being meaningful and as communication needing to be understood
In line with our mission to provide accommodation to the difficult to reach rough sleepers, in 2016 the hostel also opened 5 beds for rough sleepers with complex immigration issues.
JOB PURPOSE
As a Substance Misuse Worker to develop therapeutic and positive relationships with residents living at Passage House and to ensure that residents make full use of their time at the hostel by actively promoting their engagement with substance misuse and other support services. To work closely with the Mental Health worker, engagement workers and management team to ensure the delivery of the best possible service to residents within psychologically informed ways of working.
MAIN TASKS
· To engage with and support residents and to keep their needs and aspirations at the centre of our work.
· To provide an expert service to residents needing support around their substance misuse
· To carry out one to one sessions with residents which focus on promoting good health and wellbeing, and building trusting relationships
· To develop and deliver group sessions to empower peer support.
· To develop and deliver training sessions for project staff on drug misuse for residents including coping strategies, and self-management techniques
· Take a proactive part in sourcing knowledge from wider local services and sharing it effectively
· To actively take part in team debriefs, facilitated discussions and reflective practice to develop the necessary skills and support in carrying out client work.
· To work positively within a culture of positive risk taking, personalisation and recovery with regards to client support to ensure that Passage House remains at the cutting edge of service delivery for the most complex and difficult to engage rough sleepers in the borough.
· To develop and support an inclusive and enabling environment that inspires all residents to participate in meaningful activities.
· To liaise with external partners and specialists, arranging multi-agency case conferences as needed to ensure joined up holistic support is provided to all residents
· To maintain regular effective communication with engagement workers around their daily engagement tasks with residents.
· To develop and support therapeutic ways of working.
· To adhere to policies, procedures and systems at Passage House which underpin the service and provide effective ways to record and celebrate the work undertaken with residents to satisfy both internal and external reporting needs.
· To adhere to health and safety, maintenance and building regulations to ensure both a safe and welcoming environment for residents, staff and volunteers.
· To support residents with their financial management
· To handle incidents effectively, prioritising the safety of the clients and the building, and dealing with them in an appropriate and sensitive manner that considers the clients’ needs at all times
· To keep appropriate records of all work and activities within the project in accordance with procedures.
· To ensure clients and their concerns are treated with dignity and respect at all times
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
· With your line manager, to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
· To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
· To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
· To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
· To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
· To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage[1].
· Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.
Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and commissioner needs change. Consequently The Passage will review and revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders.
THE DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE – DISCLOSURE
The Passage aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. The Passage welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Criminal records will be taken into account for requirement purposes only when the conviction is relevant.
As The Passage meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) by SI 2013 1198’. All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions.
Person Specification: __ Substance Misuse Worker (Specialism in Drug Misuse)
The person specification sets out the essential abilities and qualities that will be used in the selection criteria for this post. When completing your application form, please address criteria E1 to E8 and K1 to K8 demonstrating your experience and knowledge, giving evidence of your experience and abilities.
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EXPERIENCE
E1 Experience of delivering support services to socially excluded clients in a residential or similar setting, either in a voluntary or paid capacity
E2 Experience of working within a team and achieving strong and effective relationships with others in order to achieve organisational aims and objectives
E3 Experience of effective engagement and relationship building with clients and ensuring suitable psychologically informed interventions are in place to ensure client’s needs are identified and met.
E4 Relevant in depth experience working with homeless or vulnerable people including those with substance misuse especially drug misuse.
E5 Experience of specialist substance misuse work
E6 Relevant qualifications or training, and willingness to undergo further training
E7 Experience of developing relationships with external agencies and a multi-agency approach to supporting vulnerable clients
E8 Experience of working with people with challenging behaviour including those with dual diagnosis/complex needs.
KNOWLEDGE
K1 Knowledge of homelessness, understanding of the varied needs of homeless people and those at acute risk of homelessness.
K2 Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures
K3 Knowledge of available resources for people with substance misuse issues
K4 Knowledge of health issues relevant to this client group.
K5 Knowledge of Health and Safety, and the implications of this in the working environment
K6 Knowledge of requirements of Supporting People and psychologically informed ways of working within a residential setting.
K7 Knowledge of how to engage with people who are trapped in the cycle of addiction, including a psychological understanding of addictions
K8 Knowledge of interventions, therapies and treatment options available
In addition to the above the following table indicates the standard expectations that all employees/workers are to work towards.
Key Skills/AttitudesTeam Working: / Committed and reliable member of team understanding impact of the role on others.
Personal Effectiveness: / Motivated, adaptable, perseverant and accurate. Able to prioritise work, deal with conflicting demands and manage a large and complex work load.
Problem Solving and Decision Making: / Ability to use logical processes for solving problems and decision making.
Communication: / Written and verbal communication is precise and accurate.
Maintaining / Using Systems: / Uses and contributes to organizational systems accurately and effectively. To include Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office
Commitment & Integrity: / Ability to maintain social, organisational and ethical values in all actions and work in a manner that respects the values and ethos of The Passage.
Equity Diversity & Rights: / Promotes equity and diversity, upholding the rights of clients, staff and volunteers
Professional Boundaries / An excellent understanding of Professional Boundaries and ethical working practices to be used as foundation for working within a Real Relationships environment.
September 2016
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[1] Vincentian Ethos As a Vincentian organisation, The Passage strives to be inclusive; encompassing a diverse and rich culture from within our members, clients, volunteers and staff. This approach is reflected in our core Values and it is important that all staff have respect for this. ( refer to full Vincentian Ethos Statement).