JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Alcohol Peer Support Worker (The Breaking Ground Programme)

Responsible:Stabilisation Breaking Ground Alcohol Team Leader

Salary Scale:SP 24 – 28 £24,020 to £26,962 inclusive of Greater London Weighting

Contract:Permanent

Accountable to:Head of alcohol treatment services

Hours:37.5 (includingsome weekend and evening working)

Based at:171 Park Lane, Tottenham, N17 0HJ

Job Summary

Alcohol Peer support worker (Breaking Ground programme):

The alcohol peer support worker will be hold a caseload of service users accessing the Breaking Ground Alcohol Stabilisation Programmeat HAGA. Breaking Ground is 12-week stabilisation programme for service users whichaims to encourage positive behavior change, increased self-efficacy around their alcohol use alongside the promotion of mental wellbeing. This will mean working with service users (in groups and one-to-one) who have goals of reduction in drinking and those with goals for cessation of alcohol use.

Youwill lead on developing recovery care plans,deliveringone-to-one keyworking and therapeutic interventions and some group facilitation with other staff. You will use evidence-based interventions and treatment approaches such as: motivational interviewing, behavioural therapies, social network and environment-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and other practical keyworking approaches (goal-setting, drink diaries, week planning of meaningful activity, relapse prevention planning). One-to-one sessions alongside group facilitation will be delivered focused on: alcohol use, sustaining tenancy, harm minimization, engaging in employment, training and education (ETE) and developing wider recovery capital.

This role is based within HAGA’s Haringey Alcohol Treatment Service team of Alcohol Specialist Workers, Nurses and Alcohol Outreach Workers who aim to engage service users, and provide effective treatment pathways leading to positive treatment outcomes.

  1. Basic Objectives
  2. To support service users to reduce and stop drinking through delivering evidence based group and 1;1 interventions within a structured alcohol support programme that runs over a 12-week cycle.
  3. To monitor improvements in outcomes including TOP and associated psychological, physical and well-being outcomes as well as stakeholder outcomes relating to housing/Criminal Justice.
  4. To ensure that the Breaking Ground programme is effectively used by ensuring that monthly/ yearly targets are met.
  5. To ensure that the service is well promoted by engaging in briefing sessions with both potential service users and staff
  6. To ensure that the service works in collaboration and partnership within the local community for the effective support of service users

2.Main Duties and Responsibilities as Alcohol Peer support worker (Breaking Ground programme)

2.1Prepare, deliver, and evaluate CBT/MI group sessions aimed at alcohol misuse, including content itself for review and updating.

2.2To support service users to achieve time-limited recovery support plan objectives through group work, 1:1 interventions and promoting peer support.

2.3To monitor service users’ progress through keyworking and informal management.

2.4Deliver alcohol-focused support sessions on one-to-one basis for hard-to-engage service users or as adjunct to their attendance at group sessions.

2.5To promote the completion of this phase of alcohol treatment; either reduction to within safe limits of abstinence.

2.6To document progress notes,on each group participant at the end of each session and provide necessary feedback to allocated key workers and line manager.

2.7To carry out comprehensive assessment, produce formulated risk assessment and risk management plans to address and manage identified risks.

2.8To make appropriate referrals to relevant professionals or treatment providers of behalf of the client.

2.9To participate in multi-disciplinary/agency case conferences and other meetings required.

2.10To perform as a full team member supporting colleagues across The Alcohol Treatment Service, being open to reasonable requests from line management.

2.11To conduct home visits with nurse to meet service users about to undertake community detoxifications

2.12To complete risk assessments for the purpose of undertaking overnight monitoring shifts of community detoxification service users.

2.13To monitor community detoxification service users and utilize on-call nursing support as necessary during overnight shifts.

2.14Plan and engage service users undertaking community detoxifications in four planned follow-up interventions to enhance adherence with recovery careplan (e.g.: escort to first group intervention attendance, home visit for motivational 1:1 session)

2.15To provide therapeutic and clinical support to a service user throughout the detoxification process.

3.Professional

3.1To follow the administrative procedures of HAGA.

3.2To develop and maintain mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of the work, in conjunction with management.

3.3To 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.

3.4To provide written and verbal reports and conduct correspondence as requested by management.

3.5To make client referrals as part of an integrated service.

3.6To ensure that all documentation required by funders and commissioners is completed accurately and within the timeframe requested.

3.7To collect statistical and monitoring information with particular focus on quality standards and in line with service level agreements.

3.8To 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.

3.9To 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.

3.10To ensure service-user and organisational confidentiality as per agreed agency policy.

3.11To 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.

3.12To promote and publicise Breaking Ground to service users, staff and stakeholders as a form of early intervention and prevention.

3.13To be aware of and to adhere to HAGA’s policies and procedures.

4.Personnel & Training

4.1To attend and contribute to internal and external meetings, and group and individual supervision as requested by line manager.

4.2To identify training needs and undertake "in-house" and external training as requested and approved by line manager.

4.3To develop one’s own professional growth with input from line manager.

4.4To ensure that all requests for leave and working arrangements are discussed with the line manager in advance, and report/certify all sickness as appropriate.

5.Liaison and Communication

5.1To communicate effectively with colleagues, and all other professionals and service users.

5.2To be available for advice and consultation to other statutory and voluntary agency staff, and work cooperatively to develop effective responses.

5.3To 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.

Core Competencies

1.Communication
HSC31 / Promote effective communication with, for and about individuals
2. Equality & Diversity
HSC234 / Ensure your own actions support the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals.
3.Health, Safety & Security
HSC22 / Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals.
ENTO_WRV1 / Make sure your actions contribute to a positive and safe working culture.

4.Safeguard & protect individuals

HSC24 / Ensure your own actions support the care protection and well-being of individuals
AB3 / Contribute to the prevention/management of abusive/aggressive behaviour
HSC35 / Promote choice, well-being and the protection of all individuals
HCSD5 / Comply with legal requirements for patient/client confidentiality
GEN63 / Act within the limits of your competence and authority

Specific Competencies

1.Assessing and addressing individual’s needs
HSC233 / Relate to and interact with individuals
AB5 / Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users
AF1 / Carry out screening and referral assessment
AA1.2 / Refer individuals with indications of substance misuse to specialists.
AB2 / Support individuals who are substance misusers
AF2 / Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs
AG3 / Assist with the transfer of individuals between agencies/services
AH10 / Employ techniques to help individuals to adopt sensible drinking behaviour
AI1 / Counsel individuals regarding their substance misuse using recognized theoretical models
AI2 / Help individuals address their substance use through an action plan
AI1 / Counsel individuals regarding their substance misuse using recognized theoretical models
CHD HA3 / Provide support for individuals who express a wish to reduce their alcohol consumption
CHD HA4 / Monitor and evaluate individuals’ attempts to reduce their alcohol consumption
2.Education, and promotion/protection of public health
AD1 / Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects
HSC35 / Promote choice, well-being and the protection of all individuals
AD1.1 / Identify individuals' knowledge and values about substances, their use and effects
AD1.2 / Increase individuals' knowledge and understanding of substances, their use and effects
3.Education and learning around health/Developing and sharing knowledge
HSC33 / Reflect on and develop your practice
GEN36 / Make use of supervision
BE4 / Supplying information for management control
M&LD1 / Develop productive working relationships with colleagues
HSC 23 / Develop your own knowledge and practice.
GEN 13 / Synthesise new knowledge into the development of your own practice.
HCS 241 / Contribute to the effectiveness of teams.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Person specification

All "essential" attributes listed below are essential for candidates to be considered for the role.

All candidates shortlisted will be expected to have at least some of the "desirable" attributes listed below

Area / Essential / Desirable
Education, qualifications, & training /
  • NVQ3 Health and Social care
  • Substance Misuse Diploma/ recognized qualification
  • Group facilitating skills
  • Psycho-social interventions for substance misuse including motivational Interviewing and ITEP mapping
/
  • Counselling / Therapeutic Skills
  • Group facilitation qualification
  • Alcohol Brief Interventions
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • SMART Recovery Training

Experience /
  • 2 years minimum experience working with individual with alcohol or substance misuse
  • Psychosocial group work experience
/
  • Working within clinical drug and alcohol services

Skills /
  • Conducting comprehensive Alcohol assessments
  • Conducting risk assessments
  • Support planning
  • Use of Treatment Outcomes Profile
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Report writing
  • Ability to demonstrate active listening skills
  • Ability to maintain professional boundaries
  • 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
  • Experience of working with volunteers
  • Experience of applying recovery capital philosophy in practice

IT /
  • Confidence and proficiency with software packages such as Access, Excel, Internet, PowerPoint, and email.
/
  • Other data management systems
  • 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 safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
  • Willingness to develop new skills, undertake training and take on new challenges.

Attributes /
  • 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, and conduct work in a range of settings

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.