Treatment Practitioner

Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS)

Caerphilly

St Fagans House, St Fagans Street, Caerphilly, CF83 1FZ

35 hours per week. Weekend and evening work required, as needed.

£24,347 - £26,512 per annum

GDAS Team Leader

No direct reports

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Permanent, in line with funding.

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The Gwent Drug and Alcohol service provides support to individuals and families affected by substance use across all 5 local authorities. As part of our service re-launch, we are recruiting for new roles across the service that align with the vision of the Gwent APB Substance Misuse Commissioning Team.

We are seeking empathetic and dedicated individuals with experiences from a range of sectors to join us in establishing a new, innovative drug and alcohol treatment service. We welcome people with experience of working not just in substance misuse - but in housing, mental health, primary care, secondary care, youth services, probation and other sectors that have transferable skills. We welcome individuals with their own lived experience of drug and alcohol use and/or mental health and from those who have supported others with lived experience.

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• Support a caseload of individuals using our Open Access service, who require in-depth therapeutic solutions as part of a whole service response.

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• Via 1:1 or group setting, deliver to Open Access service users:

• Engagement services to drug and alcohol service users through provision of initial assessment, signposting and onwards referral.
• Deliver Active Treatment services to drug (High Intensity) and alcohol service users via comprehensive assessment and care coordination to ensure service users receive integrated care-planned treatment appropriate to their level of need and readiness to change.
• Deliver detox and early aftercare services for drug and alcohol service users through detox preparation support, liaison and supporting Medically Assisted Recovery programmes, attending medical assessments and reviews with the GDAS medical team, linking with Tier 4 services and liaison with GPs.

• Provide a suite of interventions, as part of a multi-disciplinary approach, for those with complex needs.
• Provide structured group work programmes and sessions.
• Liaise and signpost with external agencies including, but not limited to, specialist substance misuse services, mental health, sexual health, housing, debt and finance.
• Undertake risk assessment and development of risk management plans.
• Inspire and enthuse individuals to achieve and maintain positive lifestyles changes.Harm Reduction Provision
• Deliver harm reduction services and advice, including provision of Prenoxad Training, Needle Exchange Programme (NEX) and Dry Blood Spot Testing (DBST).
• Provide duty cover. Compliance and Information Management
• Ensure compliance with internal case management systems and client records.
• Undertake appropriate monitoring, review and evaluation procedures.
• Adhere to host organisation and GDAS policies and procedures including safeguarding and boundaries.
• Undertake appropriate administrative tasks.

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  Networking and Awareness Raising
• Foster and sustain good working relationships with stakeholders, including local partners within the local authorities and the health board.
• Represent host organisation or GDAS in appropriate forums and groups.
• Deliver talks, workshops, presentations, and provide training where appropriate.

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  Development & Training
• Provide a lead role in an area related to the role i.e. safeguarding, needle exchange (full training will be provided)
• Engage in a range of tools and methods designed to support further development in practice, including, but not limited to, Over 50’s training, the GDAS Worker Development Tool, Supervision, Reflective Practice, and Group Supervisions.
• Commitment to Learning and Practice Plans, ensuring knowledge and training remain up to date.

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  Other
• Act as a link worker for GDAS volunteers
• Ensure sound joint working practice to deliver an integrated holistic care pathway by working as required with other GDAS disciplines and teams.
• Communicate host organisation and GDAS vision and deliver upon mission, corporate strategy and business plans.
• Take up arrangements for support and participate in all relevant internal meetings.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested but which may not be specified within the job description.

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Ideally all these requirements must be met by the candidate on appointment. However, in certain circumstances, a candidate may be appointed who does not meet a particular requirement. This is providing that the shortfall can be made good in a reasonable time, and the candidate brings other skills, knowledge or experience which are valuable to the role and the Organisation.

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Expected to meet basic skills in numeracy and literacy.

Completed accredited training in structured psychosocial interventions.

NVQ Level 3 or above in a health and social care qualification or equivalent

Psychology, Criminology or other related degree

Counselling qualifications

Experience of giving advice and support concerning housing, benefits, education and employment.

Knowledge of the harmful effects associated with drug and alcohol use, in relation to health, social welfare, housing, employability and relationships

Knowledge of ACE informed practice

Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

Ability to develop relationships with strategic partners and other external parties/ organisations

Record Keeping and report writing

Familiarity with Microsoft 365

Experience of working within the field of substance misuse

Demonstrable experience of providing manualised interventions

Trained in:Motivational Interviewing,Controlled Drinking,Cognitive Behavioural Coping Skills,Social Behaviour and Network Therapy

Knowledge of sexual health, mental health awareness, and harm reduction initiatives.

Experienced Palbase user

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Empathic

Credible

Positive Attitude

Unconditional positive regard

Ability to work in partnership with those who use our services

Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team

Ability to strengthen self-efficacy in others

Supports a Recovery and Harm Reduction ethos

Effective Communication skills

Personal drive and resilience

Quality and Compliance Focus

Initiative and creativity

Organised and Structured in approach to work

Ability to manage time effectively

The post holder will be required to work flexibly around the needs of the people who use our services. This may include work at multiple locations and flexible working hours outside of the normal working week and may include weekends.

This role involves travel across Gwent to offices and community settings (with occasional possibility of transporting volunteers/clients). Therefore the post holder is required to have a full current driving licence, permitting them to drive their vehicle in the UK, and have fullaccess to their own personal mode of transportwhich is insured for business use.

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Commitment to uphold theGDAS values (above)

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