Community Substance Misuse Support Worker
Location: Community-based with some lone working required
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
Sector: Health & Social Care / Substance Misuse Services
We are currently seeking a dedicated Community Substance Misuse Support Worker to join a multidisciplinary team delivering frontline drug and alcohol services to individuals in the community.
Key Responsibilities:
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Act as a Duty Officer, offering initial support to service users outside scheduled appointments, including drug testing and prescription facilitation.
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Manage new referrals and self-referrals, screening and prioritising in accordance with service eligibility criteria.
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Hold a low-complexity caseload, providing keyworker support and contributing to assessment, intervention, and recovery planning.
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Support community detoxification and offer relapse prevention interventions post-detox.
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Work independently for most of the time, supported by senior practitioners and clinical leads when needed.
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Regularly assess risk and adapt treatment approaches in collaboration with the wider team.
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Make professional decisions independently, particularly when lone working or managing volatile situations.
About You:
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Hold a diploma/degree in nursing, allied health, social care, or a recognised qualification in substance misuse.
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Demonstrated experience within health or social care, particularly with individuals affected by substance use.
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Confident in working without direct supervision and managing your own workload and priorities.
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Sound understanding of relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Health Act, Data Protection Act, Human Rights Act).
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Knowledge of relapse prevention, detox protocols, harm reduction strategies, and the physical/psychological impact of substance use.
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Familiarity with clinical observations, withdrawal symptoms, and effects of common substances.
Training & Development:
You’ll be expected to maintain up-to-date training in key areas including:
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Fire Prevention, Basic Life Support, Safeguarding (Adults & Children)
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De-escalation Techniques, Breakaway, Infection Control
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Optional development in CBT approaches, Motivational Interviewing, safer injecting practices, and harm reduction