JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:
Cwm Taf Harm Reduction Caseworker
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Cwm Taf Service Manager
PURPOSE:
To conduct outreach work targeted at hard to reach
individuals/communities, in order to promote harm
reduction campaigns and to encourage access to adult
substance misuse services.
SALARY:
NJC scale pt 23 – 27 (£20,849 - £23,698)
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
2
2.1
2.2
Specific Tasks
To actively engage with potential client groups in a variety of relevant settings.
To be the lead person in Cwm Taf for needle exchange, naloxone and dry
blood spot testing.
To provide transport for individuals who have difficulty accessing Substance
Misuse Services such as needle exchange and other
Services offered in conjunction needle exchange.
To develop, co-ordinate and be the lead person to facilitate targeted harm
reduction campaigns, including Alcohol Awareness Week, World Aids Day
and Overdose Awareness Day.
To proactively seek a number of satellite venues in all localities and to engage
with hard-to-reach individuals/communities.
To provide face to face counselling and therapeutic intervention and support
to individuals seeking help to tackle their drugs and alcohol misuse.
To refer individuals who agree to support, through the Drug and Alcohol
Single Point of Access (DASPA).
To assess individual needs, identify goals, prepare packages of care and to
action plan.
To review programmes and outcomes on a regular basis.
To empower individuals and enable them to help themselves through
informed choice and decision making.
To ensure access to and maintenance of appropriate support networks and
services for individuals.
To maintain appropriate written client records and case notes.
To attend the Harm Reduction Working group meetings and feedback to staff.
Liaison and Networking
To foster and sustain good working relationships with local statutory agencies
and community groups across Cwm Taf.
To liaise and communicate effectively with a range of individuals and
disciplines.
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2.3
2.4
2.5
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
To access other necessary services and resources identified in conjunction
with the individual client, through referral, negotiation and advocacy where
appropriate.
To maintain a positive profile of Drugaid and the services provided through
appropriate networking, liaison and multi agency working, and to work in a
manner which complements and dovetails with existing statutory and
voluntary sector provision.
To maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Information and Awareness Raising
To provide accurate information and answer queries on substance misuse
issues and harm reduction campaigns.
To deliver talks, workshops, presentations and provide training where
appropriate.
To disseminate the service and other leaflets, posters, factsheets and other
literature as appropriate.
To promote and raise awareness of substance misuse issues among
individuals, communities and agencies.
To deliver and promote naloxone training to staff and service users.
To co-ordinate, deliver and promote dry blood spot testing in Cwm Taf.
Other
To adhere to all Drugaid/service policies and procedures and code of conduct.
To support and supervise volunteers assisting in the delivery of the service.
To keep up to date with strategic and policy developments in respect of
substance misuse and related matters.
To ensure the undertaking of appropriate monitoring, review and evaluation
procedures.
To maintain appropriate written records.
To undertake appropriate administrative tasks.
To co-operate with requests from Drugaid management.
To take up arrangements for support and supervision and participate in all
relevant internal meetings
To undertake other reasonable duties as requested but which may not be
specified within the job description
In consultation with the postholder, this job description is liable to variation to reflect
actual, contemplated or approved changes in/or to the job.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure &
Barring Service.
Drugaid is an equal opportunities employer and as such welcomes applications from
diverse candidates without prejudice.
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PLACE OF WORK
The post will be based in Oldway House, Merthyr Tydfil.
However, the role will cover the Cwm Taf area and travel
throughout the catchment is essential
HOURS OF WORK
37 hours (full time) usually 9am–5pm Monday to Friday.
However, in order to be effective and to meet the needs
of clients, work outside these hours may be required and
the postholder is expected to be both flexible and
accountable for the hours kept. Drugaid also operates a
time off in lieu policy.
CONTRACT
Permanent
ANNUAL LEAVE
Starting at pro rata 25 days per year excluding bank
holidays, and rising to 30 days after 5 years service.
TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
Fixed rate of 45p per mile for travel incurred for business
purposes, which lie outside your commute
PENSION
Drugaid operates a non-contributory stakeholder pension
to which it makes an 8% employer contribution.
HEALTH CASH PLAN
Drugaid provides a non-contributory health cash plan for
all staff.
CHILD CARE VOUCHERS Drugaid offers a Childcare Voucher Scheme
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
TITLE: Harm Reduction Caseworker
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
Essential Experience and Knowledge
Experience of working within the field of substance misuse.
Experience of liaison and networking with a cross section of agencies and
individuals.
Awareness of other services available to substance misusers.
Experience of outreach work.
Experience of developing targeted campaigns / events.
Experience of naloxone.
Experience of dry blood spot testing.
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
Essential Skills
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Good Assessment, Counselling and Support skills.
Good negotiation and advocacy skills.
Good time management / organisational / administrative skills.
Ability to set goals and work to targets and deadlines.
Ability to problem solve.
Computer literacy.
Ability to drive and access to personal mode of transport.
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Essential Attributes
Ability to work under pressure, and on own initiative.
Flexibility, drive, commitment, integrity and motivation.
Commitment to collaborative team-working.
Commitment to working in a non-judgemental and anti-discriminatory way,
and in accordance with the service’s code of conduct and Equal Opportunities
Policy.
Commitment to the service’s philosophy and values.
4
Desirable
4.1
4.2
Understanding of/familiarity with the local area.
Welsh-speaking.
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