Ref: STO/14/46 Tel: 0121 622 8181 Aquarius Action Projects nd 2 Floor 16 Kent Street Birmingham B5 6RD Fax: 0121 622 8189 email: headoffice@aquarius.org.uk www.aquarius.org.uk Job Description Title Support Worker Salary Spinal Column Point (SCP) 14 – SCP 19 Responsible To Service Manager Summary Support Workers will provide advice, support, advocacy, key worker for recovery plans and undertake elements of assessment and case management as directed. Support Workers are expected to work not only from Aquarius offices but also in primary care, arrest referral, hospital and youth settings and other outreach settings as required by the service specification. Duties and Responsibilities Working in a way that recognises and values diversity, understands the functional model of substance misuse, the Recovery Agenda and problems caused by alcohol and drug misuse, support worker will: a) Provide information advice and support on the telephone, face to face and in groups. b) Provide screening and brief advice. c) Undertake elements of assessment and case management with stable clients as directed. d) Ensure all safeguarding issues are dealt with in accordance with policies and protocols. e) Work to a recovery plan, undertake recovery plan reviews and assist with care pathways. f) Include family members and supportive networks in recovery plans. g) Deliver agreed support packages to quality standards, as outlined in the care plan. h) Act as key worker with individual recovery plans. i) Ensure work is undertaken in line with Health and Safety requirements and that risk assessments have been completed. j) Liaise with external agencies, eg GP’s, treatment providers, social care services. k) Provide information and support people to access community services. l) Assist with the provision of the group programme. m) Assist with promotional events. n) Facilitate client satisfaction reviews. o) Work with peer mentors and volunteers. Administrative a) To receive calls and respond appropriately. b) To assist with maintaining the office diary and make appointment for clients. d) To assist with processing referrals and closure of cases. e) To process data information and assist in providing reports. DANOS: AA1, AA2, AA4, AB1, AB2, AB3, AB4, AB5, AB6, AB7, AG2, AG3,, AI2 General a) To understand and work with the ethos, aims and objectives of Aquarius. b) Keep accurate records and the necessary data for reporting and evaluation purposes. c) To undertake training as required by the organisation. d) To participate in supervision as required by the organisation. e) To attend meetings as required by the organisation. f) To work within Aquarius’ policies and procedures. g) To undertake such other duties as required by the organisation. h) To notify the manager of any untoward occurrences which may affect the service, both at a professional and administrative level. i) To provide written records and reports as required by the organisation. j) To be flexible with regard to working hours to meet the demands of the post. k) To be willing to travel to locations as required by the service. DANOS: AC1, AC2, 2 Terms and Conditions There is a demand to provide a flexible service to meet client need and therefore there will be an expectation to work evenings and weekends as required by the service. The exact pattern of work will be determined by service need and may be subject to change. Holiday entitlement is 32 days plus 8 Bank Holidays. A pension scheme is available. All Aquarius staff are employed on an initial probationary period of 6 months. During this period, notice of termination by either party will be one month. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this post. Within the confines of legislation and as a condition of being able to commence employment with Aquarius, the successful candidate will be required to provide documentation to prove that they are able to work in the UK. Such documentation will include one or more of the following, as appropriate – NI number, birth certificate or British passport, certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen or passport/documentation evidencing citizenship of a European Union country. Notes 1. Applicants should complete the application form in black ink or typescript and return this to Human Resources at Aquarius 2nd Floor 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD or email recruitment@aquarius.org.uk, however when emailing a signed hard copy must also be posted. The closing date for this post is 12.00 noon on Friday 15 August 2014. 2. Applicants should offer three referees, two of whom must be concerned with your current or most recent employment. 3. If you have not heard from us within 6 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. 3 Drug & Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) Which are related to this post are: AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AB1 AB2 AB3 AB4 AB5 AB6 AB7 AB8 AB10 AC1 AC2 AD1 Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists Relate to, and interact with, individuals Support individuals to access and use services and facilities Promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals (HSC3111) Interact with individuals using telecommunications promote choice, well being and the protection of all individuals Support individuals who are distressed Support individuals who are substance users Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour Contribute to the protection of individuals from harm and abuse Assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to substance users Support individuals to deal with relationship problems Provide services to those affected by someone else’s substance use Contribute to assessing and act upon risk of danger, harm and abuse Relate to families, parents and carers Reflect on and develop your practice Make use of supervision Indentify and increase individuals’ knowledge and values about substances, their use and effects AD2 Facilitate learning through workshops, presentations and activities AD3 Facilitate group learning AD4 Develop and disseminate information and advice about substance misuse, health and social well-being AF1 Carry out screening and referral assessment AF2 Carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs and take appropriate action AF3 Carry out comprehensive substance misuse assessment AG2 Contribute to planning, monitoring and reviewing the delivery of service for individuals AG3 Assist in the transfer if individuals between agencies and services AH4 Support individuals to undertake and monitor their own health care AI1 Work with individuals about their substance misuse using recognised theoretical models (eg motivational interviewing) to enable individuals to identify and explore concerns and decide on a possible course of action AI2 Help individuals address their substance use through an action plan AJ1/2 Help individuals to plan, evaluate and review interventions to address and change their offending behaviour AK1/2/3/4/ Assist individuals to explore and plan for future employment, training, education, housing and financial management 4 Ref: STO/14/46 Person Specification Support Worker Experience/Knowledge Method of Assessment A I E a) Understanding and sympathetic approach to people who misuse alcohol and drugs. X X b) Understanding of the harms caused by alcohol and drug use to individuals, young people, children, families and society. X X c) Understanding and commitment to working in a way that recognises and values diversity. X X d) Knowledge and understanding of client centred approach in providing services. X X e) NVQ 2/3 Social care (desirable) - or a willingness to attain this. X Skills/Abilities a) Good written and oral communication skills. X X b) Ability to maintain accurate records and fulfil data requirements. X X c) Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the service. X X d) Ability to liaise effectively with other health and social care agencies e) Ability to work within the policy and procedural requirements of Aquarius, including child protection, vulnerable adults, confidentiality and health and safety. f) Ability to work as part of a team. X g) Ability to assist with groups, training and promotional events. X h) Good IT skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. X X X X X X X Circumstances a) Self-confident and ability to display appropriate level of self-assurance. X b) Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and travel to locations as required. X c) Evidence of a low level of health related absenteeism. d) No evidence that emotional problems will affect ability to work effectively with clients. e) Absence of an alcohol or substance misuse problem for at least two years. X f) No criminal record that prevents work with our client group or which would impact on ability to perform in the role or harm our reputation. X g) Postholder must live within a reasonable and accessible distance to the service. X h) Conform to standards of dress, which reflects a professional service. X X X A – Application I – Interview E – Exercises 5