JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Harm Reduction Worker
Reports to:
Neath Treatment Services Team Leader
Responsible for:
The delivery of the Harm Reduction service in accordance with
the service specifications and key performance indicators.
Grade/Salary:
Sc. 23: £19,809 – Sc. 25: £21,104 (pro rata)
Underlying values associated with all posts within WCADA Limited:The role/duties of the post are outlined below. In undertaking this role, the employee will
be expected to behave at all times in a way that is consistent with and actively supports
WCADA Limited’s values and operating principles, which are: Integrity: We conduct ourselves with fairness, respect and honesty in our dealings
with each other and with our clients and business contacts.
 Courage: We welcome constructive feedback, we take on challenges, our staff is
positive and resolute and displays a ‘can do’ attitude.
 Accountability: We are accountable to users, communities and commissioners and
are transparent in all activities.
 Team Culture: We collaborate with and support each other to attain excellent
individual and team performance.
 Creativity: We are open to new ideas and change, finding innovative solutions to
the challenges that face our commissioners, our service users and ourselves.
 Focus: Service users and people at risk are the central focus of our activity.
 Innovation: We embrace innovative and creative solutions.
 Partnership: We work in partnership with our stakeholders and service users and
other agencies.
 Best Practice: We deliver best practice quality services through our excellent staff.
 Diversity: We provide equality of service to all people in the community and we
confront discrimination.
 Community: We encourage community involvement in our work.
 Improvement: We continuously improve our performance through learning and
review of outcomes.
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Role Purpose:
To provide harm reduction services to substance users aged 18 years old plus in
the Neath area. The post holder would carry out assessment reviews, develop and
review care plans, contribute to a duty/drop-in service including facilitating a
Needle and Syringe Programme, provide one to one support, group-work and
outreach clinics, and will be required to keep accurate records.
Post Outline:
 Undertake substance misuse assessment reviews, conduct risk assessments, and
develop and review care plans to meet identified needs of service users.
 Identify appropriate service to meet identified needs.
 Work collaboratively with service users to reduce alcohol and drug related harm.
 Develop close and collaborative relationships with a wide range of service
providers, both in statutory and voluntary sectors.
 Promote health awareness to service users.
 Facilitate Needle and Syringe Programme provision, providing appropriate advice
to service users.
 Deliver crisis intervention through duty/drop-in service.
 Undertake appropriate administrative tasks.
 Maintain timely and accurate client records utilising the PARIS-SMAT, case
management system.
 Contribute to the monitoring and reviewing procedures for the service, including the
submission of quarterly reports demonstrating performance against Key
Performance Indicators.
 Participate in the provision for support, supervision and training, and attend all
relevant WCADA meetings.
 Provide advice, support and training to colleagues in partnership agencies as
necessary.
 Comply with WCADA’s code of conduct, policies and procedures.
 Maintain confidentiality in accordance with WCADA policy and procedures, and
with any statutory/contractual requirements.
 Work in a non-judgmental, anti-discriminatory way at all times.
 Promote a positive profile of the agency.
 Undertake other reasonable and lawful duties as requested by the Management
team.
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Role Profile:
COMPETENCE DESCRIPTION
National Occupational
Standard Unit Number
SERVICE DELIVERY
Help individuals access substance misuse services
*Promote choice, wellbeing and the protection of all individuals
HSC 35
Develop practice in the delivery of services
*Reflect on and develop your practice
HSC 33
Educate people about substance use, health and social well-being
Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
AD1
Assess substance misusers’ needs for care
Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs
AF2
Deliver healthcare services
Supply and exchange injecting equipment for individuals
AH3
Plan and review integrated programmes of care for substance misusers
Develop, implement and review care plans for individuals
Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and
services
AG1
AG3
MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES
Provide a healthy, safe, secure and suitable environment for the delivery of services
*Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in
the working environment
HSC 32
Manage information
Receive, analyse, process, use and store information
HSC3115
Manage relationships
*Promote effective communication for and about individuals
HSC 31
*Mandatory competencies
Note: Post holders will be given an opportunity to select one or two additional NOS units
to reflect either specialism/area of interest.
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Person Specifications
Knowledge
Knowledge of local and national resources
Knowledge of different approaches to working with
substance misuse
Knowledge of legislation pertinent to the role
Knowledge of working with substance misuse in
community and outreach settings.
Knowledge of the 12-Step Abstinence Programme
Desirable

Essential
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Skills
An ability to organise own time and work on own
initiative.
Substance misuse assessment and care planning
skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Good IT, report writing and note keeping skills

An ability to work as part of a team

High level of motivation and enthusiasm

Experience
Experience of delivering services to substance
misusers
Experience of liaising with other specialist and non
specialist agencies
Experience of working with the harm reduction
model
Additional Requirements
Clean driving licence and access to own transport
with appropriate insurance for work purposes is
required
Committed to promoting the Welsh Language
Commitment to WCADA’s vision and values
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Please note that all applicants who are in recovery must have at least two
years abstinence.
This post is subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
including the Independent Safeguarding Authority Registration process as
well as two favourable references.
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Requirements:
It is essential that applicants have or are prepared to work towards gaining an NVQ
Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or equivalent and/or relevant professional
qualification.
Successful applicants would also be required to maintain a
Continuing Professional Development Portfolio and attend training appropriate to
role.
It is desirable that applicants understand the nature of substance misuse, its’
effects on individuals and significant others, with knowledge of the range of
interventions available, including diversionary activities. Also, it is desirable that
applicants have a basic understanding of all client groups affected by substance
misuse, including those in the criminal justice system.
Hours of Working:
37.5 (some flexible working may be necessary).
Salary Scale:
Sc. 23: £19,809 – Sc. 25: £21,104 (pro rata)
Location:
Neath
Duration:
Nine months, with the possibility of this being extended
to twelve months.
Further information and General Responsibilities:
Confidentiality: Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential
information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official
capacity.
Data Protection Act: To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
Conflict of Duties: All applicants to any post within WCADA Limited are required
to declare any involvement either directly or indirectly with any firm, company or
organisation that has a contract with WCADA. Failure to do so may result in an
application being rejected or dismissal after appointment.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity: To ensure that all service users, their
partners, colleagues both in WCADA Limited and other partner organisations are
treated as individuals.
Health and Safety: You are required to comply at all times with the requirements
of the Health and Safety regulations and WCADA Limited’s Health and Safety
Policy and Procedures.
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You are responsible for taking reasonable care with regard to yourself as well as
any colleague, client or visitor who might be affected by an act or failure to act by
yourself.
Registered Office: Head Office, 41/42 St James Crescent, Uplands, Swansea, SA1 6DR
Tel: 01792 646421 Email: adminexecs@wcada.org
Chief Executive: Karen Ozzati
A Company Limited by Guarantee No. 4206135
Charity No. 1087685
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