Substance Misuse Case Manager - Outreach Team

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Principal accountabilities

Engage with potential service users in a variety of outreach settings and signpost to treatment services and other relevant agencies in the locality

Undertake comprehensive assessments to assess the eligibility and suitability, strengths and needs of a service user in relation to the service

Conduct risk/need assessments and implement risk management/care plans in line with policy and procedures.

Deliver care packages including, where appropriate, psychosocial, and psychological interventions that are often time limited.

Liaise with other health and social care professionals where necessary and appropriate

Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to team meetings as required.

Case-manage in line with a recovery focused model

To communicate highly sensitive information within an often hostile and emotive environment to service users, relatives, and colleagues

To assist in the decision-making process regarding the referral of service users children to childrens services assessing and interpreting complex and conflicting information

Ensure all possible steps are taken to account for personal safety of staff and service users and escalate areas of concern where appropriate.

Compile reports and participate in case conferences, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary team meetings and any other appropriate care planning meetings in relation to service users.

Take personal responsibility for maintaining practice in line with developments and new initiatives.

Undertake screening for Drug and Alcohol use.

Collate statistical information as required to meet the needs of key stakeholders, both internally and externally

Contribute towards the development of multi-disciplinary services for people with alcohol and drug misuse problems

Proactively encourage drug and alcohol users to access substance misuse services, housing provision and, where appropriate, social support services; to promote and facilitate the harm reduction model of treatment provision in all aspects of work, to enable substance users to adopt safer practices and healthier lifestyles.

To maintain and update service user records

To report as soon as is practicable any incidents, complaints, or grievances

Positively promote the service during internal and external meetings

2. Safety

To ensure all possible steps are being taken to account for personal safety of both staff and service users during working hours and report incidents within guidelines

To make the line manager aware of any potential difficulties in personal safety.

Adhere to all Alcohol & Drug Service Health and Safety policies and procedures and ensure their own safety and the safety of colleagues and service users

To be aware of the need for security and regard to locking windows, doors etc. and prompt reporting of any works/repairs to the line manager

3. Supervision and Training

Keep personally up to date with developments and new initiatives within substance misuse

Participate in regular supervision sessions with the line manager and respond to personal development to improve competencies and practice

To participate in the appraisal process and work with the line manager to develop a personal training and development plan.

Attend and participate in training sessions as required both as trainer and trainee.

Provide an effective learning environment for all learners

4. Safeguarding

Aspire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people (anyone under the age of 18) and adults. It expects all staff, volunteers and students to share this commitment and act in such a way that safeguards and promotes the health and well-being of children, young people and adults.

Staff must ensure that they are familiar with the signs and symptoms of abuse and know what to do if any such concerns are raised.

Staff is expected to follow the safeguarding children and safeguarding adult policies and participate in related mandatory/statutory training.

5. General

Assist in the development of new initiatives and new ways of working to promote the best services for substance users.

Adhere to the Alcohol & Drug Service Equality and Diversity Policy regarding both staff and service users of the Alcohol & Drug Service.

To undertake any duties under the direction of the line manager and or supervisor

Maintain registration requirements in accordance with regulations

6. Dimensions

Responsibility for Staff

To contribute to the effective performance of all staff within the team, through effective coaching, mentoring and practice supervision whilst adhering to current legislation and evidenced based practices.

Responsibility for Service Users

To support positive change in service users with a history of problematic substance misuse through the delivery of individually tailored packages of care based on key working and psychological/psychosocial interventions

Responsibility for Budgets

None

Responsibility for Reputation Management

To ensure the service is highly regarded by internal and external service users

7. Decision making

These decisions should relate specifically to the principal accountabilities

Professional decisions about the service users requirements

Take necessary action in relation to risks

Note: This job description covers the main duties and responsibilities of the job. Other activities commensurate with their job description may from time to time be undertaken by the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Degree in a related subject e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Counselling OR
• OR
• L3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent
• AND
• L3 Drug and Alcohol or equivalent
• Microsoft Office including outlook, word and ex

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of services available in the locality
• Knowledge of key contacts and pathways within the locality
• Knowledge of substances and their effects
• Knowledge of health and safety including the ability to access high risk situations and take appropriate action
• Knowledge and understanding of the recovery movement
• Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of multi-disciplinary working
• Knowledge of mental health issues
• Understanding of the issues facing substance misusers including social care, welfare benefits, health and accommodation
• Knowledge of therapeutic interventions that can be used when working with service users, particularly group work
• Understanding of the clinical management of medical interventions
• Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults and Children principles and application in practice
• Knowledge and understanding for confidentiality and sensitivity in dealing with the public and service user information

Desirable

• Understand the principles of equality and diversity
• Understanding of the criminal justice system
• Knowledge and understanding of electronic operating systems e.g., systm one
• Demonstrate knowledge in the importance of social capital and the impact it can have on mental health

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to deliver holistic packages of care utilising existing support services across Doncaster
• Ability to write reports and carry out appropriate assessments
• Ability to liaise with other professionals at all levels
• Ability to liaise with other agencies
• Ability to effectively manage and act autonomously
• Ability to liaise effectively with other agencies
• Demonstrate innovative practice and an ability to work in adverse Ability to promote and encourage positive use of a substance misuse service
• Ability to reflect on and develop practice
• Ability to use initiative, experience and take responsibility
• Ability to work to a high level of accuracy paying particular attention to detail and meeting deadlines
• Ability to manage own time and resources

Desirable

• Ability to use evidence based therapeutic approach with service users
• Ability to contribute to the development and practice of others, supporting and positively challenging their practice

Experience

Essential

• Significant demonstrable experience of working with Complex Lives/Outreach service or similar
• Significant demonstrable experience in the substance misuse field
• Experience of working with service users with complex needs
• Experience of working within substance misuse services
• Experience of key working and psychological/psychosocial interventions
• Experience of substance misuse treatment approaches

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team

Personal qualities

Essential

• Maintain professional boundaries
• Mature, empathic and non-judgemental attitude towards service users
• Flexibility
• Good organisational skills
• Good communication skills
• Enthusiastic and motivated
• Innovative and imaginative
• Conscientious and reliable
• Ability to travel within the geographical work area in a timely manner

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

The Alcohol & Drug Service

Address

1 Princes Street

Doncaster

South Yorkshire

DN1 3NJ

Employer's website

https://ads-uk.org/ (Opens in a new tab)