Job Title: Recovery Facilitator (Criminal Justice Specialist)

Job Description

Job Description

Job title: Recovery Facilitator (Criminal Justice Specialist)

Reporting to: Team Leader

Location: Buckinghamshire

Salary: £22,086 - £25,369

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Key internal: Managers, staff, volunteers, mentors and service user reps

relations

Key external: Staff in partner organisations, GPs, other support services,

relations Probation and Police

Background:

SMART CJS is a well established Thames Valley substance misuse charitable business that directly engages with abusers of drugs and alcohol. SMART CJS provides a range of services that focus on supporting individuals to make positive changes to their lives and thereby reduce the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse and the destructive impact that they might have on our communities.

Users are introduced to our range of services through their contact with the criminal justice system, self referral or through referral by other agencies. Our innovative projects are designed to break the cycle of substance misuse and offending and transform the prospects of problem drug and alcohol users.

SMART CJS strives to develop individuals within the organisation in an environment that is conducive to progress by harnessing a team culture that is respectful, professional and open. We recognise that success is achieved through shared ownership of our main objectives. Each individual has designated responsibilities that contribute towards meeting these objectives and this description lists those responsibilities.

Main purpose of the job

Ensure the provision of high quality treatment services through:

·  To provide comprehensive assessments, risk management and treatment and recovery plans for all service users.

·  Care Coordinating a caseload as agreed with the Service Manager.

·  To ensure the service delivers and sustains high quality interventions to its service users in line with contractual obligations and organisation policy.

·  To facilitate the SMART’s open access service.

·  To act as the DIP SPOC for Buckinghamshire.

·  Coordinate with appropriate services for the management of offenders subject to IOM.

·  Facilitate the Prison Link pathway for all offenders leaving prison.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the post-holder are divided into three key areas of work:

1. Service user support

Effectively engage with substance misusers who are involved with the criminal justice system in a range of settings (including custody, outreach, treatment service, Probation etc).

Manage a caseload as required and perform all related tasks within a best practice and Clinical Governance framework. The key objective is to facilitate change through motivating the individual to address those issues which may act as obstacles to progress by:

·  Establishing strong working relationships with Service Users

·  Deliver assertive outreach in a variety of community settings

·  Carrying out assessments, identification of priorities and ongoing need

·  Carry our assessments in a police custody setting.

·  Carrying out risk assessment and management

·  Develop initial Recovery Plan with the service user, setting short term goals pertaining to 'Recovery beyond treatment'

·  Providing information and advice, including harm minimisation, as appropriate.

·  Facilitate needle exchange

·  Make appropriate referrals to structured treatment for service users identified as both requiring and ready for such interventions.

·  Responding to need as it arises and managing lapses/relapses

·  Working closely with other services that might be utilised in supporting the individual

·  Facilitate group work sessions with service users.

·  Refer clients to other agencies to meet needs identified beyond the scope of the service

·  Promote Mutual Aid and Peer Support

·  Effectively managing the individuals’ transition from the service in a manner that supports their long terms recovery including move on to education, training and employment.

·  Prison visits

·  Promote and ensure the smooth transition of clients entering and leaving custody into the community, including prescribing appointments are arranged etc.

·  Maintain a specific prison link database.

·  Increase referrals from CJS background into service.

·  Manage IOM scheme on behalf of Open Access service

2. Service Support

The post holder will also contribute towards the services’ overall success and

Development. This will involve:

·  Ensuring all work with service users is provided to the expected standards of the service within SMART's Quality Framework

·  Providing regular updates to their line manager on individual performance against the service KPI's

·  Communicating service user views and issues to their line manager as appropriate

·  Contributing towards the development of a service environment that is safe and secure

·  Working within the policies and procedures of the organisation and contributing to their development when appropriate.

·  Presenting a professional image of the service to all stakeholders in all work settings

·  Keeping up to date with changes in legislation and research relating to all aspects of Recovery

·  Contributing to the overall development of the team and Recovery system.

·  Developing effective partnerships with other agencies including Criminal Justice agencies

·  Ensuring service users have the opportunity to input in to all aspects of service design and delivery

3. Staff support

This post holder will be required to support each team member. This will include:

·  Respecting each others rights and conducting oneself in a manner expected of all professionals at all times

·  Contributing to the support of colleagues and reflecting on issues with the potential to impact on the team and individuals

·  Sharing knowledge to enhance the performance of the team

Other

·  To carry out any other duties and responsibilities as required in line with operational needs.

·  To ensure confidentiality and Integrity are key at all times whist carrying out the role

·  Comply and fully cooperate with SMART CJS health and safety policy as well as the equality and diversity policy.

·  Take responsibility for his/ her own professional development by working closely with the line manager.

This job description will be supplemented by annual objectives which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder. It will be subject to regular review and SMART CJS reserves the right to amend or add to the duties listed above.

Person Specification- Recovery Facilitator

Listed below in Section A are the essential requirements for this post which are used to shortlist candidates. Further selection criteria (Section B) are used to assess people in interviews along with other tests.

All staff are expected to show commitment to the quality of service offered to service users and to demonstrate a thoughtful and considered approach to their problems. Honesty, reliability, use of initiative and the ability to establish good working relationships with clients and colleagues are also essential attributes.

A. The following to be demonstrated on the application form

Essential

§  Good track record as a practitioner working in a criminal justice setting with service users with substance misuse issues, including experience of carrying out assessments, risk assessments and working in a multi agency capacity.

§  Addictions qualification / training or commitment to gain a recognised qualification within an agreed timescale

§  Experience of working in an outreach capacity

·  Good oral communication /presentation skills

§  Good written skills - reports minutes, notes and briefings

§  Experience of delivering groups

§  Good Assessment, risk assessment and care planning skills.

§  Understanding of what recovery means to service users

§  Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office

§  Knowledge, understanding of drug and alcohol issues including Harm Reduction theories, brief interventions

§  Experience of partnership working

Desirable

§  Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing techniques

§  Good working knowledge of electronic case management systems

§  Basic knowledge around domestic abuse or willingness to learn

§  Basic knowledge around mental health or willingness to learn

§  Basic knowledge around learning disabilities or willingness to learn

§  Driving licence and use of own car

B. To be demonstrated at interview or other assessment

§  Ability to understand and adhere to organisational policies and procedures

§  High level of interpersonal skills, with demonstrable diplomacy, clarity and assertiveness

§  Ability to be flexible and thrive in a rapidly changing environment

§  Ability to work to deadlines and manage priorities when under pressure

§  Care planning skills

C. References and clearance

Appointment will depend on satisfactory references being obtained from present or past employers. Enhanced DBS and enhanced Thames Valley Police Security Clearance. Please note there some offences that will not pass Security clearance to work in the Custody Environment. For more information please call Mary o ‘Byrne to discuss on 01869 350028

D. Health and safety

All employees are subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act. The post holder is required to proactively comply with their duties as outlined in SMART CJS policy.

E. DANOS competencies for the Recovery Engagement Worker

Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS)

This job description defines the function of the Residential Detox Key Worker and has been written with reference to units contained in the Service Delivery section of DANOS. A copy of the units relating to this job description is held by the Area Manager, whilst a full reference can be obtained from www.skillsforhealth.org.uk website.

DANOS UNITS Referenced:

Help individuals access substance misuse services (AA)

Ensure service delivery is delivered within an anti-discriminatory framework. (AA4)

Support individuals when they are distressed (AB1)

Support individuals who are substance users (AB2)

Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour (AB3)

Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse (AB4)

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

Support individuals with difficult or potentially difficult relationships (AB6)

Develop your own knowledge and practice by reflecting on and evaluating your own values, priorities interests and effectiveness as well as Incorporating new knowledge into the development of your own practice.(AC1)

Seek appropriate supervision and negotiate with line manager framework for own supervision contract and bring work to supervision and use supervision provided appropriately (AC2)

Raise awareness about substances, their use and effects (AD1)

Develop and disseminate information and advice about substance use, health and social well-being (AD4)

Assess substance misusers’ needs for care (AF)

Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessment (AF3)

Plan and review integrated programmes of care for substance misusers (AG)

Help individuals address their offending behaviour (AJ)

Assist individuals to plan for future employment, training and education (AK2)

Recovery Facilitator JD and PS June 2014