Job Description

Service / Integrated Camden Alcohol Service
Job Title / ICASGP/Outreach Worker – job ref. CGL820
Hours / 37.5
Salary Range / CGL scale point 23 – 28
£21,651.68 - £25,411.58 per annum + ILW of £ 3,538.73 per annum
Base / Community hubs and satellites
Reports to / Project Manager/Team Leader
Operating Principles / CGL has developed a number of operating principles that it believes are essential to providing effective and inspirational care and support for its service users. They should be viewed as overarching expectations for all roles at CGL.
All staff will contribute to the ongoing development of an ambitious, inspirational and outcome focussed culture at every level of service delivery.
All roles will tangibly contribute to provide hope, empowerment, choices and opportunities that promote people reaching their full potential as individuals and community members.
All service delivery will model the belief that we all have the potential to make positive changes and to lead meaningful and purposeful lives, as involved and contributing members of society.
Purpose of Job / ICAS is an integrated community alcohol treatment service for the London Borough of Camden, which operates from a fixed site and via a hub and spoke community delivery model, within primary care and other health and social care and community settings. The service provides prevention and education work, harm reduction, brief and extended brief interventions, recovery and psychosocial interventions, pharmacological interventions, psychology, psychiatry and counselling to individuals with all levels of problematic alcohol use, as well as providing a range of support options to families and affected others.
Scope / The post-holder will be part of a team of ICAS workers based at hubs within GP surgeries and community centres across the Borough. As an integral part of a large multidisciplinary team, the GP Outreach Workers will support individuals to access alcohol treatment at a range of locations. This will include home visits, hospital visits and ward rounds, GP surgery satellites and community/wellbeing centres.
The GP & Outreach Worker will carry a case load and provide screening, brief and extended brief interventions, strength based initial and comprehensive assessments, key work and group work sessions, risk assessment and risk management, recovery planning & review, outreach / in-reach services aimed at supporting service users to achieve positive and meaningful change.
Working within a large integrated model, the GP & Outreach Worker will maintain positive relationships and excellent communication with staff across ICAS and relevant partner agencies, ensuring a seamless pathway and clear system navigation for all service users.
The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the overall performance of the project, ensuring that contractual output targets are achieved, and that the project continues to provide co-ordinated, responsive and needs led services that maximise the chances of achieving positive change and sustainable outcomes for clients and the wider community
The post holder will be required to work flexibly across operational sites as required and within an agreed number of hours to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision. This will include evening and weekend working.

Key Activities:

Below is a non- exclusive list of key activities.

  • Manage a case load of clients
  • Deliver a range of evidence based recovery focussed interventions, including brief and extended brief interventions, 1:1 and group work to service users at GP surgeries and other community locations across the borough.
  • Work positively, as part of a multidisciplinary team ensuring service users have seamless access to pharmacological interventions, psychiatry and psychology services, family and affected other support where indicated.
  • Conduct home visits, hospital visits and ward rounds, and outreach services to a variety of community locations.
  • Provide effective case management and coordination covering areas of risk, housing, social functioning, employability, psychological and physical health.
  • Utilise motivational interviewing, ITEP and cognitive behavioural techniques in both one-to-one and group settings to promote engagement in treatment services, encourage self-esteem, well-being, self-responsibility and enhanced motivation
  • Undertake community (re-)engagement initiatives with both treatment ‘naïve’ and those who have disengaged from the service.
  • Carry out strength based assessments and draw up recovery plans that recognise service user needs, strengths, values and goals.
  • Gather information to inform risk assessment, contingency plans and crisis management, develop robust risk management plans and liaise closely with relevant services to address risks to service users and/or their families.
  • Maintain confidentiality of information, in accordance with CGL Policy
  • Provide information on different treatment models and services available for individuals with substance misuse problems and, where appropriate, undertake to assist in the transfer of clients to enable them to access and engage with appropriate packages of treatment and other relevant services
  • Work with service users in a holistic way ensuring that their needs are met, including areas such as child protection, housing, medical, criminal justice and mental health including referrals to appropriate services and joint working arrangements
  • Provide accurate advice and information that reduces the risk of harm, promotes healthy living, and minimises the potential risks and impact of alcohol related crime and disorder on the wider community
  • Utilise a flexible approach and where required participate in activities and tasks which directly respond to client and service need.
  • Maintain timely and accurate electronic records under supervision and in line with ICAS procedures
  • Actively promote equality of opportunities and diversity
  • Ensure that all data requirements are met within deadlines
  • Actively participate in regular supervision and be willing to personally reflect on interpersonal dynamics within service user relationships alongside other supervision requirements as detailed in CGL policy.
  • Work evenings and weekend shifts as required

General terms of reference:

In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

  • Work flexibly across operational sites as required.
  • Work flexibly within an agreed number of hours of work to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision.
  • Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.
  • Participate in appraisal, training and supervision processes.
  • Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and practice relevant to the relevant client group.
  • Ensure the implementation of all CGL policies.
  • Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
  • Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post

Person Specification

Essential criteria:

Demonstrable experience of delivering a range of recovery and psychosocial interventions in both one-to-one and group settings.

Training in MI/CBT/ITEP/BTEI or other evidence-based psychosocial interventions

Experience of providing alcohol harm reduction advice and information that reduces the potential negative impact on individuals, carers and communities.

Experience of undertaking strength based comprehensive assessments and developing recovery plans and treatment plans for those who are suitable for community treatment/support services

Experience of referral procedures to a range of treatment / community support agencies

Experience of effective partnership working including contributing to multi-agency care plans and conferences

Experience of assertive outreach in order to engage with clients previously referred into treatment services who have dropped out of prescribing / treatment / support regimes

A knowledge of performance management and meeting demanding targets

The ability to maintain timely, accurate and comprehensive records / data collection on clients.

Demonstrable experience of managing safeguarding procedures including working with vulnerable adults and families where children are at risk

Experience of working with service users who can demonstrate challenging behaviour and hard to engage groups.

Risk assessment and management skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Demonstrable partnership working skills

And the ability to:

Maintain professional boundaries.

Respond flexibly to the demands of the post.

Work as a member of a team.

Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.

Understand and have a commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity.

Employ an empathetic and non-judgmental attitude towards service users.

Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for service users.

Desirable criteria:

Knowledge of local services and geography

Successful completion of DANOS accreditation or NVQ/Diploma level 3 qualification

This post is subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level.Amendments:This description accurately reflects the present position; it may be amended and reviewed. Any change will be made following a proper period of consultation.

1

December 2015