Job Description

Job title :Steps to Recovery Group Activity Leader

Reporting to :Steps to Recovery Project Co-ordinator

Location :Based DACA Clydebank office, but working across West Dunbartonshire

Salary :£21,000pa pro-rata + 3% pension

Hours :21 per week, between Mon 9am – Fri 4:30pm (*occasional out of hours work,

to accommodate business needs)

Duration :2 years fixed term initially, with probable 3 year extension

Main function/responsibility:

To co-ordinate a variety of both in-house and outreach group-work and diversionary activities for people with chronic drinking patterns and complex needs.

Key Tasks :

  1. The Group Activity Leader will be responsible for working with DACA clients to organise and run a range of group activities to meet their needs. This will include healthy lifestyle/recovery groups, outdoor activity trips and certificated training sessions.

In addition the Steps to Recovery project will assist with the delivery of open social drop-in sessions (day-time and evening) and DACA’s social activity events eg Scottish Night, Summer Garden Party, Christmas Lunch.

  1. The post-holder will be responsible for developing links between DACA’s Client Involvement Group and the Steps to Recovery Project, organising one-off taster sessions as identified by clients and promoting the group activities to all staff, volunteers and clients both verbally and with publicity materials, posters etc.
  1. The post-holder will liaise with our counselling team to encourage new clients to get involved with the various groups and activities and promote them to all clients, volunteers and staff.
  1. They will work with the Steps to Recovery Project Co-ordinator and peer volunteers recruited to the project to deliver a community-based alcohol-awareness activity each quarter.
  1. They will liaise with the Steps to Recovery Volunteer Development Worker to identify suitable volunteering opportunities within the groups and activities on offer and mentor the peer volunteers when they first start volunteering in the groups.
  1. They will ensure all possible steps are taken to account for the personal safety of both staff and clients during group activities.
  1. There will be several activities each year which bring together the wider DACA team, the Steps to Recovery project staff and volunteers and our clients. The Group Activity Leader will be expected to play a key role at these events and work with the Volunteer Development Worker to support clients who wish to take part in one-off micro-volunteering opportunities linked to these events.
  1. The post-holder will also be required to work with community partners to bring additional value to the project and to help clients find out more about the various groups and activities that are available in the wider community. They will be expected to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and communication skills to ensure that DACA’s reputation in the external environment as a professional and trusted agency is maintained.
  1. The Group Activity Leader will play an important part in securing client satisfaction feedback and other evaluation data, to ensure that our activities and services continue to meet our clients’ needs. This will involve active listening and observation, as well as providing the necessary support and encouragement to empower clients to share their feelings and ideas. Clear, timely record-keeping will be an important requirement of this role

Person specification :

  • Having an understanding of the issues facing individuals affected by chronic alcohol misuse, as well as those of their families and carers. Able to demonstrate compassion and sensitivity in relation to these issues.
  • Experience of facilitating group-work in any capacity (essential). This experience within a recovery setting (desirable).
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety protocols, and experience of risk management.
  • Ability to encourage clients to share feedback openly, and to record this feedback in a structured way using organisational systems to measure progress and demonstrate impact. Adhering to data protection legislation and respect for client confidentiality at all times.
  • Experience of working within a multi-agency framework and the ability to engage and naturally build rapport with stakeholders from across the addictions community – clients and their families, statutory partners in health and social work, other third sector organisations and services.
  • Able to work effectively and flexibly with colleagues and managers, to ensure that the highest standards of service quality and performance are maintained.
  • Strong organisational skills and good basic IT knowledge.
  • Able to self-start and confidently work unsupervised in community outreach locations.
  • Able to communicate clearly and sensitively to a variety of different audiences, including some public speaking. Of equal importance is good listening skills and empathy.
  • Good written English skills.
  • Experience of working as part of a small, cohesive team towards shared goals and outcomes.
  • Flexible in relation to hours of work (core hours will be between 9am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday – but DACA also operates an evening service between 6:30pm and 9:30pm, and some events and activities occur over the weekend).
  • This post is subject to a PVG Scheme Record check and is considered Regulated Work under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) ACT 2007. Any offer of employment is subject to receipt of suitable references.