NORTH EAST COUNCIL ON ADDICTIONS

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title / Dual Diagnosis / Support Worker
Location / As advertised. NECA reserves the right to change the postholder’s place of work
Reports To / Project Manager
Accountable To / Area Manager
Other Key Working Relationships / Community Mental Health Teams, Drug and Alcohol Teams, Social Services, other statutory agencies, Hospitals, GPs, other relevant Tier2/3 services, other relevant voluntary agencies and community organisations.
Purpose of Job / To provide centre based and outreach services to clients experiencing mental health problems and substance misuse, using a range of interventions and methods suitable to engaging with the client group. To actively work in such a way that promotes independence, and respects and values the contribution of clients. To engage people in mainstream / treatment / mental health services as appropriate
Principle Responsibilities
Planning & Development of the Service inline with NECA Policy
To seek to engage with clients within the community who are known to Social Services and other statutory agencies, and are at risk of relapse or offending or disengagement.
To undertake assessments and develop packages of care based on client need, and to regularly review and monitor client progress.
To present caseload to the Care Co-ordination meeting on a weekly basis and case review meetings as appropriate, ensuring service users needs are identified and that a collaborative care plan is in place to address needs and those of their families.
To provide a rolling programme of activities, groups and opportunities for clients to access, using a holistic approach to client need. Looking to engage or re-engage with the wider treatment system.
To liaise and network with relevant agencies on behalf of clients to access day care, detox and counselling services etc.
Promote and raise awareness of dual diagnosis issues with other professionals to improve communication between Mental Health Services and Substance Misuse Services.
Quality Assurance-Monitoring & Evaluation
To be familiar with and work to quality assurance standards including QuADS, DANOS, Models of Care and any other standards relevant to the Service.
To continually monitor and review the Service in line with NECA policies and procedures.
To provide statistical data and reports as requested for quality assurance.
To ensure that all client files are up to date and accurate and to provide client information to administrative staff.
To evaluate the Service assimilating feedback from service users, service partners and team members.
Comply with NECA systems, controls, policy and procedures concerning the accurate collection, maintenance, retrieval, security and storage of client data.
Supply management with relevant information and data regarding client progress including period of intervention and outcomes.
NECA aim to offer a quality service at all times and are committed to promoting continual improvement throughout all services delivered. All staff are expected to share this aim and contribute towards upholding and enhancing further the standard and quality of service delivered throughout NECA.
Staff & Supervision
To seek and accept line management supervision on a regular basis from the Manager, and to attend mandatory training courses as required, in line with professional development needs.
To manage an agreed caseload of clients for counselling, brief interventions and outreach.
Attend and contribute to team meetings and any other relevant group or forum, related to the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Ability to take responsibility for managing time and resources.
Where appropriate, cultivate, establish and maintain healthy working relationships with a range of professional and organisations essential to making the service effective. These include, Drug Action Teams, Community Action Teams, Health Authority, Primary Care Group, Social Services Substance Misuse Team and the voluntary sector, etc
To undertake any other task which may be deemed appropriate to the post
Core Value Requirements
To comply with the values and ethos of the organisation, as set out in the Code Of Conduct.
Comply with Operational, Human Resources, and Health and Safety Polices and Procedures, where appropriate.
Support and uphold the principles contained in the Equality And Diversity Policy; whereby equality of opportunity between men and women is promoted and unlawful discrimination and harassment is not tolerated.
Support and uphold the principles contained in the Dignity At Work Policy; to treat your colleagues politely, fairly and with dignity and respect and to value differences in others.
Issues relating to NECA business may only be communicated to external bodies with the permission of the Line Manager.

DANOS - National Workforce Competences

AA1: Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists

AB2: Support individuals who are substance users

AB3: Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour

AB5: Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users

AD1: Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects

AF2: Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs

AF3: Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessment

AG1: Develop, implement and review care plans for individuals

AG2: Contribute to care planning and review

AG3: Assist with the transfer of individuals between agencies and services

AI2: Help individuals address their substance use through an action plan

AI2.1 Develop an action plan with individuals

AI2.2 Review the action plan and conclude the counselling process

AI3: Counsel groups of individuals about their substance use using recognised theoretical models

AI3.1 Plan and prepare therapeutic group activities

AI3.2 Prepare and support individuals through therapeutic group activities

AI3.3 Evaluate agreed therapeutic group activities

AK3: Enable individuals to access housing and accommodation

BA3: Contribute to the development of organisational policy and practice

BC4: Assure your organisation delivers quality services

BE6: Preparing reports and returns

CfA311: Plan, organise and support meetings

GEN36: Make use of supervision

GEN48: Promote your organisation and its services to stakeholders

services

HSC22: Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals

HSC32: Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the working environment

HSC33: Reflect on and develop your practice

HSC226: Support individuals who are distressed

HSC233: Relate to and interact with individuals

HSC330: Support individuals to access and use services and facilities

HSC345: Support individuals to manage their financial affairs

HSC346: Support individuals to manage direct payments

HSC347: Help individuals to access employment

HSC348: Help individuals to access learning, training and development opportunities

HSC433: Develop joint working agreements and practices and review their effectiveness

HSC3111: Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals

HSC3115: Receive, analyse, process, use and store information

LLUK L10: Enable learning through presentations

M&L A3: Develop your personal networks

M&L B1: Develop and implement operational plans for your area of responsibility

M&L D6: Allocate and monitor the progress and quality of work in your area of responsibility

M&L E6: Ensure health and safety requirements are met in your area of responsibility

M&L F10: Develop a customer focused organisation

M&L F11: Manage the achievement of customer satisfaction

Person Specification – Essential Criteria
Knowledge
Equality and Diversity Practices
A clear understanding of the Mental health issues in relation to the client group.
Understanding of social exclusion effects
Awareness of the current provisions to engage people with a Dual Diagnosis of Substance Misuse and/or Mental health problems
Knowledge of current legal and statutory legislation relevant to the client group.
Knowledge of the use of Assertive Outreach approaches
Knowledge of the preparation and use of Care Plans
Skills
Ability to work on own initiative
Ability to engage with and motivate service users in a way that values and respects their contribution
Highly developed people skills
Ability to motivate
Ability to manage resources and work creatively
Proven ability to network and build professional relationships
Time management skills and the ability to manage appropriately high levels of stress
Computer/ITC literate
Experience
Working in a social care / community based setting
Working with clients who are difficult to engage
Recruiting, planning and delivering focused groups and programmes (eg life skills) and promoting self esteem.
Planning, implementing and monitoring care packages
Interagency working including the Criminal Justice System, Mental Health and Substance Misuse.
Working with people in an empowering way that respects and values their contribution.
Qualifications
NQF level 4 (and above) Professional Diploma Qualification in Social Work, Welfare, Youth Community, Substance Misuse, Health and Social Care, Probation, or similar relevant discipline is required.

The above attributes are, except where stated, the minimum essential criteria without which a candidate would not normally be short listed for interview.

Terms of Employment
Salary / £23290 per annum
Hours of work / 35 hours per week
Flexibility to work at weekends at short notice is required
Annual Leave / The post holder will be entitled to 4.8 weeks annual leave in the first year of employment and 6 weeks thereafter, plus rata all bank and statutory holidays.
Sick Pay (OSP) / The postholder will after six months service receive an
allowance of four weeks full pay and four weeks half pay; after
one years service six weeks full pay and six weeks half pay;
(less statutory sick pay); within each period of 12 months
commencing on the first day of sickness absence.
Allowances / Expenses for travel whilst on NECA business are claimable, in
the case of car mileage according to the prevailing rate set by
the Inland Revenue, and in the case of public transport, at
cost. Staff who agree to use their car must have insurance
cover which includes business use.
Stakeholder Pension / You have the option to join a Stakeholder Pension Scheme
with Scottish Widows. If you contribute 3% of your salary, NECA will contribute an equal amount.
NECA is an organisation which is exempt from the spent convictions clauses of the
Rehabilitation Of Offenders Act
NECA aims to be an equality and diversity employer
NECA reserves the right to amend or add to Job Descriptions
Benefits
Health Care Benefit
/ You have the option to join BUPA. There is no direct cost, although this benefit incurs a taxable payment. In addition the provision exists to include dependents, the cost to the employee varies according to individual circumstances of the persons covered.
Death In Service Benefit / Lump sum payment of two times salary.
(Eligibility age 18 to 65. Post 65 subject to Deferred Retirement Declaration)
Childcare Voucher Scheme / You have the option to participate by salary sacrifice.

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May 2010