Arrest InterventionReferral Service Worker(Ref: 136)

Role information pack


Role description

Swanswell Arrest Intervention Referral Workers are responsible for offering every person in custody the opportunity to access and engage with relevant alcohol and drug services to allow them the opportunity to change their lives and be happy.

The role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to connect with service users in a custodial environment. You’ll work with service users in custody suites supporting them to engage with onward referral services. The most important thing you will bring to this role is your desire and ability to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

This is a new role within this service so you will have the opportunity to work with your Team Leaders and co workers in the development of this role.

We’ll provide you with regular supervision and performance review sessions.

Salary

This is a full-time post with a salary of £20, 000.

Hours of work

This post is for a 37 hour week. You will be required to work weekends, evenings and bank holidays on a rota basis. This will include early, day and late shifts to meet our service delivery requirements. From time to time you may be required to work at various locations within the Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary area or cover community events such as Glastonbury Music Festival.

Annual leave

Swanswell’s holiday entitlement is 36 days per holiday year (28 days plus bank holidays and statutory public holidays). This will be a pro rata amount for part time and fixed term contract employees.

Transport

We are currently recruiting to fill several vacancies within the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area. Travel to various Police stations will be needed. A current driving licence and own transport would be an advantage.

Other

This post is subject Non Police Personnel Vetting Level 2.

Interviews will take place week commencing 10February 2014. Invites will be sent out via e-mail.

  • Work in conjunction with custody staff to ensure that our services compliments the overall aims and objectives of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary
  • Liaise with custody staff to gain access to prisoners who are detained in police stations
  • Engage with service users who test positive on arrest and need a Required Assessment
  • Engage with service users who wish to access support voluntarily while they are in a custody suite
  • Carry out regular cell sweeps of the custody suite
  • Engage with service users who have been arrested out of hours or out of area who need a Required Assessment or wish to access a voluntary assessment
  • Identify any immediate needs and risks, including any prescribing needs, and liaise with the police station health care team as appropriate
  • Provide brief interventions such as advice and information and harm reduction
  • Carry out drug screens on voluntary service users
  • Carry out Blood Bourne Virus screens and offer harm reduction advice and information
  • Provide injecting packs and information on community needle exchange services
  • Create transfer plans and make onward referrals for service users transferring to prison or community settings
  • Identify service users who may be suitable for court disposals such as Restriction on Bail and make the appropriate onward referral
  • Identify service users who may be suitable for Statutory Orders such as Alcohol Treatment Requirements or Drug Rehabilitation Requirements and make the appropriate onward referral
  • Liaise with Integrated Offender Managers, Probation Officers and IMPACT team
  • Identify suitable community and prison based services and make onward referrals as appropriate
  • Track onward referrals to ensure your service user has engaged
  • Work in close partnership with Recovery Workers making appropriate referrals to them for the service users who are most at risk or vulnerable and who may benefit so additional support to engage with onward referral services
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in accordance with organisational and national standards
  • Keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the field and contribute to the continuing development of Swanswell’s services
  • Prepare reports when required
  • Maintain high standards of office security, confidentiality and administration. This includes ensuring the safe and secure keeping of files
  • Carry out all aspects of the role cost effectively and in line with Swanswell’s policies, the requirement of funders and all relevant clinical standards/frameworks. You’ll need to consult appropriate sources of expertise where necessary
  • Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of service users, relevant others (particularly children and vulnerable adults) and members of the community, and have involvement in relevant safeguarding procedures
  • Carry out other duties appropriate to the role, as necessary or requested

Person specification

Criteria

When filling in an application form for this role, please explain how you meet the criteria listed below. In your evidence of how you meet the criteria you could refer to experience in a similar role (or a related field), or relevant transferable skills that you have.

Qualifications / Essential/desirable / Assessed by application form (A) or interview (I)
Qualification or demonstrable relevant experience at NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care orequivilant / Desirable / A
Experience / Essential/desirable / Assessed by application form (A) or interview (I)
Experience of managing own caseload / Essential / A, I
Experience of working with service users in a Criminal Justice setting / Desirable / A, I
Experience of working within the substance misuse field / Essential / A, I
Ability to overcome resistance and engage service users with appropriate services / Essential / A, I
Experience of providing proactive support to others / Desirable / A, I
Experience of working with external agencies / Desirable / A, I
Knowledge / Essential/desirable / Assessed by application form (A) or interview (I)
Understanding of the Criminal Justice System / Essential / A, I
Knowledge of drugs and alcohol and the impact these can have on people’s lives / Essential / A, I
Knowledge of Statutory Orders and criteria for these / Desirable
Knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice / Desirable / A, I
Knowledge of Blood Bourne Virus’ and how to minimise the risks associated with these / Desirable / A, I
Skills and competencies / Essential/desirable / Assessed by application form (A) or interview (I)
Leadership
Take responsibility for relations with external partners / Essential / A, I
Participate in multi-agency relationship building and working / Essential / A, I
Willingness and desire to work in an environment of continual change / Essential / A, I
Managing effectiveness
Ability to manage own time, prioritise activities, and maintain accountability for workload and clients / Essential / A, I
Maintain confidentiality of all data and information related to clients and business / Essential / A, I
Accurate record keeping / Essential / A, I
Ability to work non-judgementally / Essential / A, I
Awareness of range of cultural differences / Essential / A, I
Problem solving
Identify and be alert to risk; and manage contingency plans effectively / Essential / A, I
Ability to learn and apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations / Essential / A, I
Show creativity and innovation / Essential / A, I
Ability to make critical decisions in a timely, considered manner / Essential / A, I
Communication
Ability to engage fully with people / Essential / A, I
Set clear boundaries across relationships / Essential / A, I
Adopt a person-centred focus to communication / Essential / A, I
Team work
Participate and collaborate with internal and external teams / Essential / A, I
Liaise with other agencies to support service users / Essential / A, I
Proactive engagement with change, progressive concepts, openness to learn / Essential / A, I
IT
Good IT skills and ability to use MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) / Essential / A, I
Able to use a computerised client record database for case file management / Essential / A, I
Other
Able to travel independently, in a timely manner, within work area / Essential / A, I

How to apply

To apply for this role, you can visit our website and apply online.Alternatively, you can contact us to receive an application form in the post or by email.

Return your completed form to:

Business Resources

Swanswell

Suite 5, Hilton House

Corporation Street

Rugby, Warwickshire

CV21 2DN

Or by email to

Internal candidates can download an application form from the Swanswell intranet.

To speak to someone about this role, email with your name, a contact phone number and which role you’re interested in and we’ll call you back. Alternatively, please call head office on 01788 559400.

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