Job Title: Family Friends and Carers Worker

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Family Friends and Carers Worker

Responsible: Haringey Recovery Service Manager

Salary Scale: NJC SP 24 -28 (£23,270-£26,120 including GLW)

Contract: Fixed term until 16th December 2015

Hours: 37.5

Based at: Haringey Recovery Service, 590 Seven Sisters Road, N15 6HR

Job Summary

The postholder will provide advice, support, assessment and interventions to the family, friends and carers of those affected by substance misuse, enabling them to access support in the community and develop the necessary skills, knowledge and networks to have a positive relationship with recovery.

Main Service User Related Tasks

To reach and engage family, friends and carers affected by someone else’s alcohol and/or drug misuse irrespective of whether the person with the substance misuse issue is in treatment.

To comprehensively assess family, friends and carers strengths and needs using the borough-wide strengths-based assessment

To provide a ‘key working’ role to carers referred to the project; assessing their needs, developing 12 week personalised action plans, based on their strengths, needs and aspirations, setting and reviewing targets, providing interventions including support and coordinating the input of other service providers, including mutual aid groups and personal development opportunities.

To provide support for families, friends and carers, including setting up and supporting a Peer Support Network, developing social activities, coordinating information, awareness raising and engagement events

To provide outreach service into family, friends and carers homes and community settings.

To offer 1:1 and family-based support to caseload based on the Five Step Intervention model (non-judgmental listening, advice and information, response strategies, explore sources of support and arrange support) in service, domestic and community settings via drop-in clinics, appointments, phone support or joint work.

To deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions for families, friends and carers in 1:1 and group settings, i.e. Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), motivational interviewing, ITEP mapping, Extended Brief Interventions (EBI).

To encourage family, friends and carers to access the Recovery Academy.

To create and support a peer support network, promoting and engage families in this as well as other mutual aid options, peer-led activities and other appropriate Haringey based family support services

To deliver on annual contract targets,which is accurately and clearly monitored.

To develop and support referral pathways for the user group within the Haringey Recovery Services as well as other treatment providers in the borough.

To line manage the Family, Friends and Carers Apprentice, offering on the job learning opportunities to support their professional development and build the capacity of the Family, Friends and Carers service.

To develop relationships with other family and carer based groups and services in the borough and to provide access to those engaged with the Family Friends and Carers service.

To coordinate and supervise a team of family, friends and carers volunteers in liaison with the Volunteer Officer, supporting their professional development and reducing risk.

To plan, coordinate and deliver family-specific awareness-raising events (i.e. Carer’s Week, Children of Alcoholic Parents Week, Recovery Pride week, International Women’s Day) across the recovery system and the wider community.

To follow-up referrals made by professionals with the referrer and the individual referred.

Represent the partnership at the Carers partnership board and generic partnership events

Develop measurable methods to involve and engage Family, Friends and Carers in service delivery

To encourage families to be involved in health promotion and Recovery Activities

Work with BUBIC to deliver training across the borough regarding working with family, friends and Carers

Develop literature for use by Family, Friends and Carers including a carers directory.

Evaluation, monitoring and performance

To ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are up-to-date and accurate.

To oversee and coordinate data collection at baseline and follow-up.

To produce quarterly and ad hoc performance reports.

To monitor performance regularly, taking action where necessary with management support.

To continuously evaluate the project and produce ad hoc and project end evaluation reports.

Professional

To follow the administrative procedures of HAGA.

To develop and maintain mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of the work, in conjunction with management.

To keep up to date paperwork and/or database records of all work undertaken in the format of support plans and service-user’s case notes where appropriate.

To provide written and verbal reports and conduct correspondence as requested by management.

To make client referrals as part of an integrated service.

To ensure that all documentation required by funders and commissioners is completed accurately and within the timeframe requested.

To collect statistical and monitoring information with particular focus on quality standards and in line with service level agreements.

To adhere to Safeguarding of Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults policies and procedures and report any concerns to your line manager or senior manager, sharing HAGA’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

To ensure the maintenance of a high standard of Health and Safety at all times in line with both HAGA procedure, and to report all accidents/incidents, which take place both verbally to manager and, on the standard forms.

To ensure service-user and organisational confidentiality as per agreed agency policy.

To adhere to HAGA’s Equal Opportunities Policy at all times, proactively ensuring that you are sensitive to the range of cultural, social and family backgrounds and to respect the varying needs of vulnerable adults/children and young people.

To be aware of and to adhere to HAGA’s policies and procedures.

5.Personnel & Training

To attend and contribute to internal and external meetings, and group and individual supervision as requested by line manager.

To identify training needs and undertake "in-house" and external training as requested and approved by line manager.

To develop one’s own professional growth with input from line manager.

To ensure that all requests for leave and working arrangements are discussed with the line manager in advance, and report/certify all sickness as appropriate.

6.Liaison and Communication

To communicate effectively with colleagues, and all other professionals and service users.

To be available for advice and consultation to other statutory and voluntary agency staff, and work cooperatively to develop effective responses.

To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and post as specified by your line manager.

This job description is subject to review by your line manager.

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Person Specification

Area / Essential / Desirable

Education, qualifications, & training

Relevant qualification NVQ 3 or Equivalent in Health and Social care
Training in relevant frameworks and interventions in family support work (including Motivational Interviewing)

BSc or MSc in addiction
Cognitive Behavioural Skills (D)

Solution Focused Skills (D)

Mental Health Training
Peer Support Training

Experience

At least 2 years experience in working in a family support role
Experience of supporting to families who are, or have been, victims of domestic violence
Working with vulnerable and marginalised clients
Family sensitive practice
Knowledge of interventions which may be used to support families

Skills

Conducting comprehensive assessments
Group work Skills
Child protection and CAF training
Counselling and/or coaching skills
Conducting risk assessments
Support planning
Use of Treatment Outcomes Profile
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to demonstrate active listening skills
Ability to maintain professional boundaries
Ability to demonstrate pro active planning and delivery of a service, including ability to achieve targets, retain clients
Ability to understand and work with, the issues that affect people with substance misuse problems
Planning and organization skills, including prioritising competing demands and using contingencies to achieve deadlines and other requirements

Confidence and proficiency with software packages such as Access, Excel, Internet, PowerPoint, and email.

Illy data management system

Partnership Working

Proven ability to work positively within a multi disciplinary setting
Establishing and working collaboratively with external agencies

Other

Understanding of equality and diversity.
Understanding of housing and benefits
Understanding of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Willingness to develop new skills, undertake training and take on new challenges.

Attributes

A commitment to delivering a programme that actively demonstrates a non discriminatory approach to the client group

Ability to motivate others

Client satisfaction
Teamwork both with immediate colleagues and between teams
Results orientated
Thoroughness
Initiative
Creativity
Flexibility and on occasions willingness to work out of office hours

This job description is subject to review by your line manager.

Date and reference:

Rider Clause

This is an outline of the postholder’s duties and responsibilities. It is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time in order to meet the changing needs of the agency.

These sections should be included in all job descriptions

Supplementary Information:

Job Flexibility

The postholder will be required to work flexibly, providing assistance as and when necessary, which may involve them in a developing role.

Working Relationships

The working relationship between all members of staff should be mutually supportive, with staff deputising and covering for each other when appropriate.

Health and Safety

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol has a Health and Safety Policy applicable to all employees. Employees must be aware of the responsibility placed on them under the Employment Rights Act 1996, to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out, and to maintain a safe environment for employees, service users and visitors.

Infection Control

The prevention and control of infection is the responsibility of everyone who is employed by Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol. Employees must be aware of infection control policies, procedures and the importance of protecting themselves and their service users in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

Staff Involvement

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol is committed to involve staff at all levels in the development of the organisation. Managers should ensure that staff are encouraged and involved in organisational and service developments including business planning and they are able to influence discussions, which affect them and their working conditions. All managers should engender a culture of openness and inclusion so that staff feel free to contribute and voice concerns. They should develop and implement communication systems that ensure staff are well informed and have an opportunity to feedback their views.

Smoking

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment to its employees, patients and visitors. In expressing its commitment to the prevention of smoking related diseases, Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol has a ‘Non Smoking Policy’ and all HAGA buildings are designated as smoke free areas.

Alcohol

Employees are expected to be aware of and understand that Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol has a policy on alcohol and the consumption of alcohol. All staff must adhere to this.

Confidentiality

Employees should be aware that Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol produces confidential information relating to patients, staff and commercial information. All employees have a responsibility for ensuring the security of information and to comply with the Data Protection Acts, Access to Health Records and Computer Misuse Act. Disclosure of personal, medical, commercial information, systems passwords or other confidential information to any unauthorised person or persons will be considered as gross misconduct and may lead to disciplinary action which may include dismissal.

Equal Opportunities

All employees of Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol are expected to be aware of, and adhere to, the provision of HAGA’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and to carry out their associated duties and responsibilities under this policy.

Industrial Relations Procedures

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol has grievance, disputes, disciplinary and other industrial relations procedures. Employees are required to make themselves aware of these procedures, copies of which are available on the intranet, from your manager and the Human Resource Department.

Personal Development

The postholder is expected to co-operate in activities which line management believes will contribute to personal and/or to team growth. This includes attending supervisory sessions and training modules, both at their work base and other selected venues of instruction.

Conflict of Interest

Employees are expected to declare any private ‘interest or practice’, which might conflict with their HAGA employment, and be perceived to result in actual or potential financial or personal gain.

Working Time Regulations

The Working Time Regulations 1998 require that you should not work more than an average of 48 hours each week i.e. no more that 816 hours in a 17-week period. To work more than 48 hours you must have management authorisation and you will be required to sign an “opt out” agreement.

Conditions of Employment

Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol will screen all staff who will be working with, or in proximity to, children and CRB checks will be carried out on all staff appointed to posts which have access to children.

This will also apply if role develops to include access to children.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of service associated with this position are those agreed by HAGA.