 Lifeline Project Ltd 2014
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Reports To
Location
Hours
Salary
Date Updated
Harm Reduction Senior Practitioner
Service Manager
Sunderland
35 hours per week
NJC Scale 23-32 (£20,198 - £27,052)
July 2013
JOB PURPOSE
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To work within one of the integrated components of the integrated treatment system for drug and alcohol
users in Sunderland. Specifically, to coordinate the delivery of the Harm Reduction Service, a critical part
of the system focusing on initial engagement and the wider health and wellbeing of clients entering the
treatment system.
To ensure that the service’s key elements of harm reduction, health and wellbeing best practice are
integrated, effective and delivered to the highest standard including including assessment, screening,
triage, wider health check and needle exchange facilities; maintaining engagement and retention of
clients within treatment services.
In conjunction with the Service Manager, to coordinate and develop harm reduction and other
interventions to deliver positive outcome for service users based on the evidence of best practice.
To lead and work across the community locations to integrate Lifeline’s drug and alcohol treatment
system offer in conjunction with other provider partners across Sunderland.
To communicate effectively with the WeARTLC treatment system to ensure that service users, their
families and carers are able to access timely interventions when and where they need them.
In conjunction with the Service Manager, to lead, manage and develop the Harm Reduction Service and
to build a positive, forward looking, dynamic and competent team within a culture of continuous
performance improvement, leading by example and consistently performing to the highest of standards
To work collaboratively with services and service users, internally and externally, and to develop effective
pathways, processes and interventions to support and motivate service users.
To work within a strengths-based, recovery-orientated, change and outcomes focused approach that
promotes service users and communities as responsible co-producers of health, well-being and recovery.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
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See attached information pack.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Service delivery:
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To support the Service Manager in leading and coordinating the Harm reduction key activities:
assessment, advice and information, BBV screening, triage, wider health check and needle exchange
facilities; maintaining engagement and facilitation of clients into treatment services, training and support
for families and carers, stakeholders, peer mentorship.
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 Lifeline Project Ltd 2014
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To provide support to service users, their families and carers within a range of settings, when and where
they need them across Sunderland.
To ensure high standards of practice are maintained within the harm reduction team in accordance with
all relevant national and local clinical guidelines.
To collaboratively develop and implement effective and flexible systems and structures that are
responsive to individuals with different levels of risk, complexity, severity and strengths, in order to ensure
that treatment is optimised.
To ensure that individuals’ personal strengths/recovery capital, including social capital and networks,
continue to be built.
To be responsible for ensuring that recording of case notes is of a high standard; recording is undertaken
within the required timeframes and shared (if appropriate) with relevant services and professionals across
the Sunderland treatment system.
To ensure that service users are fully informed about their treatment options, are involved in and consent
to decisions about their support, and are encouraged to take opportunities to achieve recovery.
To ensure, through audit, that an appropriate balance exists between overcoming dependence and
reducing harm within the service/individuals.
To ensure and develop ‘visible recovery’ within the service, to promote entrance into treatment for service
users from first engagement, through the use of dedicated recovery advice and information.
To work collaboratively and proactively with other teams and managers within the Sunderland treatment
system, to ensure that services are fully coordinated and are working collectively towards the
achievement of recovery goals, and positive outcomes for each individual client
Performance and people management:
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To support the management and coordination of efficient and effective staff deployment within the Harm
Reduction Team, including providing adequate cover for all aspects of the service.
To contribute to the management and support and supervision of volunteers and peer supporters within
the Harm Reduction Service liaising with the Lifeline Regional Volunteer and Peer Support Coordinator.
To provide professional leadership through: first line support; problem solving; leading by example;
developing appropriate expectations, culture and values; embracing and implementing change.
To performance manage, at individual and team level, through: delivering contractual requirements,
targets and outcomes; goal and task setting; managing, monitoring and reporting progress.
To assess the impact of the Psychosocial Interventions Service in contributing to local outcomes.
To support and provide operational management through consistent systems of supervision, objectives,
appraisal, induction, disciplinary and grievance, and absence management, including providing support
and supervision.
To develop the team through coaching, engagement, communication, motivation, team building and
delegation (including of lead roles).
To develop a collaborative, creative and flexible team, which is able to empower, challenge and change.
To support team members to be competent to deliver the range of interventions required
To develop robust and integrated data capture procedures to ensure effective recording of performance
monitoring, outcomes, and service user information, including identifying areas of attrition.
To utilise service data to facilitate business decisions and reporting, locally and organisationally.
To ensure that risk management procedures (including child and adult safeguarding protocols) are
consistently followed and that team members are fully informed of the requirements of these procedures.
To support the continuous improvement of quality and performance in the provision of psychosocial
interventions within an integrated model of service delivery for drug and alcohol users.
Service and business development:
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To lead on specific areas of service development, projects or pilots, as agreed with the Service Manager.
To identify and report on service and locality relevant information and intelligence, including gaps in
provision and opportunities, developing appropriate responses with the Service Manager.
To proactively engage with local communities, external agencies/professionals to identify and build
recovery resources and opportunities for individual and service development.
To ensure service users and families are provided with opportunities to consult on service development
and to be involved in the development and delivery of services as appropriate.
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 Lifeline Project Ltd 2014
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To contribute to the sustainability of Lifeline’s growth, by leading on specific areas of business
development, as appropriate and agreed with the Service Manager.
To understand key financial issues, including service budgets, value for money, efficiency, and risk.
To ensure an appropriate strategic awareness at industry, local, organisational and service levels.
GENERAL DUTIES
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To personify a positive, collaborative and recovery-focused work ethic.
To present a professional appearance, help maintain an orderly working environment and act at all times
to uphold the good reputation of Lifeline Project.
To ensure that all visitors to the service (including service users, families/carers, professionals and the
general public) are welcomed in a responsive, helpful and professional manner.
To ensure service users’ and professionals’ experience of Lifeline is positive including by taking personal
responsibility for answering ringing telephones and promptly dealing with inappropriate behaviour by staff,
volunteers or service users.
To attend meetings at appointed times, maintain professional personnel and service user records and
meet deadlines.
To work flexibly across the whole service, including providing duty, late working and weekend cover as
required.
To proactively maintain professional knowledge and practice and attend, use and contribute to
supervision and team meetings effectively.
Raise drug and alcohol harm reduction and recovery awareness within the community, sharing your
knowledge and experience by developing packages that train and educate community and other
interested groups.
To assess risk and safeguarding issues, undertake risk and need assessments when appropriate and
report any potential risk and safeguarding issues to ensure staff, service users and children are
protected.
To work within professional boundaries maintaining safety and appropriate confidentiality at all times.
To contribute to organisational initiatives as required.
To demonstrate commitment to Lifeline’s statements of Mission, Vision and Values and strategy, ensuring
that they inform, and are embedded within, service delivery and practice.
To ensure services and duties are delivered in compliance with the law and relevant national and local
policies, standards and guidance, including the CQC, NTA, NICE and other quality standards.
To read and comply with all published Lifeline policies and procedures, at the start of your employment
and again whenever they are added to or changed, as available on the Lifeline staff website.
To work flexibly to undertake such other reasonable duties and responsibilities, at any location within
reasonable daily travel from your main place of work.
To not disclose to anyone other than in the proper course of your employment or where required by law,
any information of a confidential nature relating to Lifeline, its business or customers. This duty will
continue to apply after termination of your employment. Guidance on standards expected can be found in
Lifeline’s Confidentiality Policy
To carry out responsibilities with clear regard to Lifeline’s Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety,
and other relevant employee focused policies and procedures.
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 Lifeline Project Ltd 2014
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This is an outline job description and may be subject to change according to the needs of the job, in
consultation with the post holder.
Job Holder’s
Signature
Date
Post Holder’s
Signature
Date
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 Lifeline Project Ltd 2014
Harm Reduction Senior Practitioner
Person Specification
All criteria are Essential unless otherwise indicated
Experience (through paid or voluntary work)
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Experience in providing a range of recovery-oriented and evidence-based interventions to substance
misusers in a community-based setting.
Experience of providing formal and informal supervision to practitioners within a health and/or social care
setting. (Desirable)
Experience of leading on specific areas of service development or initiatives to improve service delivery
within a health and/or social care setting.
Experience of providing interventions that support individuals to develop their personal strengths.
Experience of working as part of a management team, taking collective responsibility for meeting service
objectives. (Desirable)
Knowledge
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An in-depth understanding and knowledge of the harmful effects associated with drug misuse in relation
to health, social welfare, housing, employability and personal relationships.
An understanding/awareness of current national policies on substance misuse and the strategies that
influence the priorities of treatment services.
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the treatments and interventions available to substance
misusers.
Knowledge and understanding of the principles of good management practice in relation to the
supervision, support, development and performance monitoring of staff.
Knowledge and understanding of the principles of good management practice in relation to performance
management and the delivery of high quality and responsive services.
Knowledge and understanding of policies related to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
and how these influence practice.
Knowledge of models of recovery, and an understanding of the role of the community in supporting
recovery.
Qualifications and Training
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NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, and/or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. Health Care,
Nursing, Social Work, equivalent overseas qualification).
Management related qualification/s or training (desirable).
Skills and abilities
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Ability to provide leadership and guidance to staff in the achievement of individual and team objectives in
order to meet the contractual requirements of the service.
Ability to respond positively and flexibly to new developments and demands arising in the workplace and
to successfully support, steer and develop staff through periods of change.
Ability to take a proactive approach to the development and maintenance of detailed case recording and
data monitoring systems.
Ability to solve problems in a logical and solution-focused manner and take decisions appropriate to the
scope of a Senior Practitioner role.
Ability to organise, case coordinate, prioritise and allocate caseloads.
Ability to develop and manage programmes of structured interventions for substance misusing individuals
that support change and positive outcomes.
Ability to produce written reports to a standard that is appropriate to a range of audiences (internal and
external).
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 Lifeline Project Ltd 2014
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Commitment to the continuous improvement of services and the ability to develop new and creative
initiatives to effect these improvements.
Commitment to maintaining an up to date and comprehensive knowledge base on the wider policy context
within which services are delivered.
Commitment to the maintenance of high standards of service delivery and the ability to implement and
sustain these.
Ability to positively engage in service promotion and liaison with external agencies in a range of different
contexts.
Ability to engage with communities to identify and access potential recovery resources.
Commitment to work collaboratively and proactively with colleagues for the achievement of service
objectives and to operate as an effective and proactive member of the management team.
Commitment to continuous improvement in professional competence and skills in order to provide a high
standard of recovery-focused care to service users.
Additional Factors
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A commitment to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice that is reflected in professional
relationships with service users, colleagues and the general public.
A desire to work within, and contribute to, a culture that is positive, dynamic, forward thinking and
outcomes-focused.
Willing and able to work flexibly to cover evening and weekend duties to meet the demands of the service.
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