Criminal Justice Recovery Volunteer
Job Description
Organisation/Department
First Stop Drug Service
Job Title
Criminal Justice Recovery Volunteer
Reports to
Criminal Justice Recovery Worker
Purpose of Job
First Stop Drug Service is a Tier 2 & 3 substance misuse treatment
service for the London Borough of Havering, which operates within
primary care and other health and social care settings. The service
delivers care-planned brief interventions and structured group work to
individuals aged 18 and over with all levels of problematic substance use
and abstinence, as well as support around accessing other specialist
substance, health and social care services, as appropriate.
The service also provides referral for specialist medically assisted
recovery through an external prescribing agency.
The post-holder will be an integral member of the Criminal Justice team
within Havering First Stop. Volunteers will assist in bringing together coordination and management of all branches of criminal justice clients
including those referred through arrest referral, prison release,
conditional
caution,
restriction
on
bail
and
drug
rehabilitation
requirement.
The Criminal Justice Team aims to increase the numbers of drug-using
offenders going into and successfully completing treatment, thereby
improving the quality of life both of the offenders and of their families
protecting communities by reducing crime. The Criminal Justice Team
overall provides arrest referral, case management and assertive
engagement and outreach services to substance misusers identified
through pro-active contact through the Criminal Justice establishments
in the Borough. The primary purpose of the post is to contribute to
reducing substance related crime and disorder in the London Borough of
Havering through a multi-agency approach, by assessing and engaging
with offenders testing positive for Class A substances or individuals
whose offending is linked to substance misuse. This will involve working
in direct partnership with Police, other criminal justice agencies and
treatment providers to assist clients to engage with and be retained in
appropriate drug treatment
1
Ensuring a high quality service that promotes recovery, resilience, and
self-determination across the Havering service, the post-holder will
support people in a recovery oriented system of intervention. The
service will be user-focused and aspirational in its work with service
users to realise their identified goals including the attainment of the
highest quality of life possible, social reintegration and sustained
recovery from problematic substance use. The post-holder will ensure
that all clients consistently receive high quality services that adhere to
the best practice guidelines and achieve high professional standards
holistically supporting adult service users to enter and move through
integrated recovery oriented substance misuse services and increase
opportunities for service users to achieve sustainable treatment
outcomes within the London Borough of Havering.
The post will require the assistance with management of a Tier-2
Caseload alongside the Criminal Justice Workers, aimed at engaging,
referring and motivating Service Users into Tier-3 structured treatments.
In fulfilling these aims the post holder will gain experience of a range of
recognised evidenced-based interventions for use with substance
misusers including:

Strength based assessments

ITEP

Motivational Interviewing techniques

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
The post-holder will ensure they keep up to date with relevant
safeguarding legislation and knowledge regarding recommended and
evidence-based interventions and practice guidance.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly within an agreed number
of hours to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision. This
may include evening and weekend working.
The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the overall
performance of the service to ensure that contractual output targets are
achieved and will be required to record and input client data and
information in order that the service operates within contractual,
administrative and financial requirements.
The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for personal
development, identifying personal training needs and participate in
regular supervision.
2
Key Activities
Unit Number and Title
AA6
Promote choice, well being and the protection of all individuals
AA2
Relate to, and interact with individuals
AA3
Support individuals to access and use services and facilities
AA4
Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals
AB1
Support individuals who are distressed
AB2
Support individuals who are substance users
AB3
Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour
AB4
Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm and abuse
AB5
Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users
AB8
Contribute to assessing and act upon risk of danger, harm and abuse
AC1
Reflect on and develop your practice
AC2
Make use of supervision
AC3
Contribute to the development of the knowledge and practice of others
AD1
Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
AD4
Develop and disseminate information and advice about substance use, health and social
well-being
AF1
Assist with screening and referral assessment
AF3
Assist with comprehensive substance misuse assessment
AG1
Assist with development, implementation and review of care plans for individuals
AG3
Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and services
AH4
Support individuals to undertake and monitor their own health care
AH7
Support individuals through detoxification programmes
AI2
Help individuals address their substance use through an action plan
3
Unit Number and Title
BA3
Contribute to the development of organisational policy and practice
BB1
Promote your organisation and its services to stakeholders
BD3
Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
BE2
Receive, analyse, process, use and store information
BE4
Supply information for management control
BI5
Promote effective communication for and about individuals
BI1
Develop productive working relationships
BI6
Develop and sustain effective working relationships with staff in other agencies
BI7
Participate in inter-disciplinary team working to support individuals
Description of Job role and duties:
Subject
Item
Specific areas of
In the fulfilment of their role, the Criminal Justice Recovery Volunteer will be
responsibility
expected to:

Reduce drug and alcohol related harm to the individual, their families and the
wider community.

Promote healthier lives, wellbeing and active citizenship.

Increase service user choice.

Promote and support individuals into both abstinence-based and medically
assisted forms of recovery.

Assistance with provision of substance misuse specific screening, triage
assessment and brief interventions to individuals engaged within the criminal
justice system in a variety of settings

Provide advice, information, support, harm minimisation advice in relation to
substance misuse and signposting to available/appropriate services to the
target group.

Respond assertively through provision of an outreach service to track and
keep contact with substance misusing offenders through the criminal justice
system.
4
Subject
Item

Assistance with ensuring effective case management and coordination
covering areas of risk with a particular focus on safeguarding children and
adults, problematic behaviour, housing, social and family functioning,
employability, psychological and physical health

To ensure individuals are supported into paid employment and/or relevant
training, education or occupation

To contribute to regular reviews of the client with other agencies involved in
their care

Maintain accurate client records and collection of information for monitoring
and evaluating effectiveness and quality of service.

To contribute to the overall performance of the service to ensure that
contractual output targets are achieved.

To implement and deliver services and Groups in line with the Foundations of
Recovery Model

Utilise motivational interviewing, ITEP, cognitive behavioural techniques and
brief interventions in both one-to-one and group settings to promote
engagement in treatment services, encourage self-esteem, well-being, selfresponsibility and enhanced motivation.

Help people to address and change their offending behaviour. When relevant
working with both the client and workers within the drug intervention
programme to construct supervision plans.

Provide input into Pre-Sentence Reports and / or prepare court reports in
consultation with court staff and where appropriate develop care plans with
clients who are subject to conditions

Ensure the service offers information, advice on services available and
support to clients with the aim of enhancing motivation and create an
awareness of the possibilities for personal change.

To represent and promote CRI and DIP in the substance misuse field in the
statutory and non-statutory sector.

Work and liaise with other agencies involved with the client’s broader care
plan including health services, hospitals and GP’s.

Assistance with developing and reviewing recovery plans, provide health
education especially in regard to harm minimisation, blood borne viruses and
overdose prevention.

Develop and maintain excellent relationships across all relevant forums and
agencies locally.

Actively participate in regular management supervision and be willing to
personally reflect on interpersonal dynamics within the therapeutic relationship

Work within CRI’s professional development framework participating in active
learning and developing professionally, in accordance with service and
5
Subject
Item
organisational requirements and current skills and abilities.

Recognise personal and professional boundaries and work within CRI clinical
governance framework at all times.

Present a professional image and actively promote the service at all times to
service users, other stakeholders, partnership organisations and the general
public.

Ensure that all data requirements are met within defined deadlines and work
with the CRI management team to ensure that outcomes are being achieved.

Uphold data protection legislation and only share client information as per CRI
policy, local and formally agreed information sharing protocols and client
confidentiality agreements.
In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

Work flexibly across operational sites as required
General duties

Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours of work
and

Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.
responsibilities

Participate in training and supervision processes.

Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and practice relevant
to the relevant client group.

Ensure the implementation of all CRI policies.

Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.

Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post
Person Specification
It is essential that candidates have:

A demonstrable inspirational and aspirational approach to supporting positive recovery
outcomes for all service users.

A clear understanding of the need for and ability to deliver quality services.

An understanding of delivering recognised pharmacological and psycho-social interventions for
substance misusers.

The ability to maintain professional boundaries and work effectively with colleagues and
partnership agencies.

Knowledge of safeguarding children and vulnerable adult’s procedures.

Ability to assess and develop support plans with service users and formulate written reports as
6
necessary.

Ability to work with and manage challenging behaviour.

An understanding of Community based support practices.

Demonstrate skills to undertake administrative duties.

Confidence to work on own initiative as well as part of the team.
Knowledge and experience of:














Meeting demanding targets and deadlines .
Ability to critically reflect and evaluate interventions and service delivery, identifying areas for
development.
Knowledge of local services and geography.
Experience of employment and educational training.
Demonstrate a capacity to innovate, to work on their own initiative as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Communicate confidently and effectively both in writing and oral
Understand the issues facing substance misusers
Maintain professional boundaries
Respond flexibly to the demands of the post
Work as a member of a team
Make a personal investment in the success of CRI and its staff.
Understand we have a commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and antidiscriminatory practice
Employ an empathic and non-judgemental attitude towards service users
Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check at an enhanced level.
Amendments: This description accurately reflects the present position; it may be amended
and reviewed. Any change will be made following a proper period of consultation.
7