JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:Harm Reduction Worker
Reports to:NeathTreatment Services Team Leader
Responsible for:To deliver services which help individuals reduce the harm caused by their substance use in accordance with the service specifications and key performance indicators.
Grade/Salary:Sc. 23: £19,809 – Sc. 25: £21,104 (pro rata)
The role/duties of the post are outlined below. In undertaking this role, the employee will be expected to behave at all times in a way that is consistent with and actively supports WCADA Limited’s values and operating principles, which are:-
Our Values:
Integrity: We conduct ourselves with fairness, respect and honesty in all our affairs.
Accountability: We are accountable to service users, communities and commissioners and are transparent in all our activities.
Team Culture: We collaborate with and support each other to attain excellent individual and team performance through continuous professional development.
Creativity: We are open to new ideas and finding innovative solutions to the challenges that face our commissioners, our service users and ourselves.
Partnership: We work in partnership with our stakeholders, service users, other agencies and the community to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Best Practice: We deliver best practice quality services through our excellent staff that welcome constructive feedback and display a ‘can do’ attitude.
Diversity: We provide equality of access to all people in the communities we serve and we challenge discrimination in all its forms.
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Role Purpose:
To deliver services to substance users aged 18 years and over to help reduce the harm caused by their substance use. This includes carrying out assessment reviews, developing and reviewing care plans, and liaison work with partner agencies. The role will involve delivering a comprehensive support package; which may include advice and awareness sessions, health promotion, structured individual support and access to wrap-around services, such as diversionary activities. The role will also involve contributing to a duty/drop-in service including facilitating a Needle and Syringe Programme.
Post Outline:
Undertake substance use assessment reviews, conduct risk assessments, and develop, deliver and review care plans to meet identified needs of service users.
Deliver outreach clinics in the local area to respond to service demands.
Work collaboratively with service users to reduce alcohol and drug related harm.
Develop close and collaborative relationships with a wide range of service providers, both in statutory and voluntary sectors.
Promote health awareness to individuals accessing the service and work in partnership with dedicated agencies to provide holistic support and assistance.
Facilitate Needle and Syringe Programme provision, providing appropriate advice to service users including Naloxone training.
Offer Dry Blood Spot Testing to those at risk of Blood Borne Viruses.
Facilitate group work as and when appropriate.
Deliver crisis intervention through duty/drop-in service.
Attend regular consultation meetings to address specific individual needs, to discuss referrals and progress.
Participate in weekly team meetings, thematic meetings and regular supervision sessions.
Provide advice, support and training to colleagues in partnership agencies as necessary.
Maintain appropriate written and database client records, and undertake appropriate administrative tasks in a timely manner. The Paris database is currently being utilised.
Contribute to monitoring and reviewing procedures; ensure quarterly statistics and Key Performance Indicators are achieved.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with WCADA Limited’s policy and procedure, and with any statutory/contractual requirements.
Work in a non-judgmental, anti-discriminatory way at all times.
Promote a positive profile of the agency.
Organise and manage time effectively to ensure service delivery opportunities are maximised.
Take responsibility for updating training needs and knowledge requirements such as relevant legislation, and practice/research relevant to the role.
Carry out all tasks with professionalism and in line with the agencies policies and procedures.
Promote a positive profile of the agency.
Be willing to work flexible hours to respond to the needs of the service.
Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the management team.
Role Profile:
COMPETENCE DESCRIPTION / National Occupational Standard Unit NumberSERVICE DELIVERY
Help individuals access substance misuse services
*Promote choice, wellbeing and the protection of all individuals / HSC 35
Develop practice in the delivery of services
*Reflect on and develop your practice / HSC 33
Educate people about substance use, health and social well-being
Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects / AD1
Assess substance misusers’ needs for care
Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs / AF2
Deliver healthcare services
Supply and exchange injecting equipment for individuals / AH3
Plan and review integrated programmes of care for substance misusers
Develop, implement and review care plans for individuals / AG1
Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and services / AG3
MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES
Provide a healthy, safe, secure and suitable environment for the delivery of services
*Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the working environment / HSC 32
Manage information
Receive, analyse, process, use and store information / HSC3115
Manage relationships
*Promote effective communication for and about individuals / HSC 31
*Mandatory competencies
Note: Post holders will be given an opportunity to select one or two additional NOS units to reflect either specialism/area of interest.
Person Specifications
KnowledgeDesirable / Essential
Knowledge of local and national resources /
Knowledge of different approaches to working with substance use /
Knowledge of legislation pertinent to the role including Safeguarding /
Knowledge of working with substance use in community and outreach settings /
Knowledge of the 12-Step Abstinence Programme /
Skills
An ability to organise own time and work on own initiative /
Substance use assessment and care planning skills /
Ability to complete risk assessments and manage risk /
Group/awareness session delivery skills /
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills /
Good IT, report writing and note keeping skills, including maintaining all client records as required /
An ability to work as part of a team /
High level of motivation and enthusiasm /
Experience
Experience of delivering services to substance users /
Experience of liaising with other specialist and non specialist agencies /
Experience of working with the harm reduction model /
Additional Requirements
Full driving licence with access to own transport to be used for work purposes with appropriate insurance /
Committed to promoting the Welsh Language /
Commitment to WCADA’s vision and values /
Please note: Applicants who are in recovery must have been stable in their recovery for at least the past two years. We cannot accept applications from any individuals who are not stable in their recovery; this is to ensure their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of our service users.
This post is subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check including the Independent Safeguarding Authority Registration process as well as two favourable references.
Requirements:
It is essential that applicants hold or are prepared to work towards gaining an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent relevant professional qualification. Successful applicants would also be required to attend training appropriate to role.
It is desirable that applicants understand the nature of substance use, its’ effects on individuals and significant others, with knowledge of the range of interventions available, including diversionary activities.
Hours of Working:37.5 hours per week(some flexible working may be necessary)
Salary Scale:Sc. 23: £19,809 – Sc. 25: £21,104 (pro rata)
Location:Western Bay Area (Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend and Swansea). The post holder will be based in Neath.
Further information and General Responsibilities:
Confidentiality: Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.
Data Protection Act: To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
Conflict of Duties: All applicants to any post within WCADA Limited are required to declare any involvement either directly or indirectly with any firm, company or organisation that has a contract with WCADA. Failure to do so may result in an application being rejected or dismissal after appointment.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity: To ensure that all service users, their partners, colleagues both in WCADA Limited and other partner organisations are treated as individuals.
Health and Safety: You are required to comply at all times with the requirements of the Health and Safety regulations and WCADA Limited’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
You are responsible for taking reasonable care with regard to yourself as well as any colleague, client or visitor who might be affected by an act or failure to act by yourself.
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