Extern SISS delivers outreach support to people who inject drugs (PWID) in Belfast city centre to access services such as housing and health care. The team also removes inappropriately discarded injecting equipment in the community and engage with stakeholders, city centre businesses and other support agencies with the aim of reducing the impact of injecting drug use, developing partnership working and providing advice and guidance on problematic substance use issues and responding to overdose incidents.
Keyworkers will offer PWID bespoke harm reduction advice, 1-1 listening ear support, and signposting to local support services. The service operating hours are 9am-9pm Mon-Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Successful postholders will be included in the project rota.
Extern NEX service operates a low threshold, high tolerance approach to practice with service users who are often marginalised and vulnerable. The service promotes core values of respect, support and acceptance.
Responsibilities
* Develop person-centred partnerships with service users using an assertive outreach approach to promote safer injecting principles, and access to housing and health supports.
* Use trauma informed practice to engage with service users who experience hazardous substance use and homelessness.
* Offer tailored harm reduction advice including needle exchange, wound care, overdose management, polysubstance use.
* Respond to incidents of overdose in the city centre using Extern training, procedures and best practice.
* Deliver a high quality, effective service which promotes the involvement of those with lived/ living experience.
* Use appropriate professional boundaries in all interactions with service users, stakeholders and professionals. Facilitate access to accommodation by onward referral to appropriate services.
* When required provide practical assistance such as transport and accompany service users to appointments. Where consent is provided, refer service users to relevant services for additional support.
* Responsive approach to Safeguarding / Child Protection issues, including consent and confidentiality processes; engage with line management structure as per safeguarding policy.
* Demonstrate awareness and understanding of Equality & Diversity within all aspects of support. Record all NSES and Naloxone transactions on commissioner record management system.
* Responsible for own practice ensuring compliance with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and Extern Codes of Practice.
* Engage with business/ office staff in the city centre to develop supportive relationships and partnership working. Respond to calls received to remove inappropriately discarded injecting paraphernalia using appropriate protective clothing.
* Ensure the team are a visible presence in the city centre to reassure service users, stakeholders and the community.
* Undertake regular visits to rough sleeping sites, hospitals, night shelters etc in partnership with other agencies and outreach services, as appropriate.
* Report safeguarding concerns, in a professional and timely manner in communication with Line manager/ Head of Safeguarding. Attend mandatory safeguarding training.
* Assess and manage risk in collaboration with colleagues/ line manager according to Extern policies and procedures. Adhere to Extern risk management policies and procedures.
* To develop close working partnerships with key statutory and voluntary agencies in the Belfast City Centre vicinity who support PWID, in order to improve outcomes for Service Users and the local community.
* Attend and participate in internal and external meetings as required and act as advocate for service user when appropriate.
* Represent organisational ethos and values at professional partnership meetings. Take personal responsibility for a professional approach that enhances the reputation of the service both internally and externally.
* Ensure compliance with necessary recording requirements and responsibility for accurate and timely completion. Gather and collate data as per Commissioner requirements.
* To facilitate and lead on in-house team training around identified topics. Assist in the delivery of training relating to injecting drug use. Complete all mandatory training relevant to role within required timeframe.
* Take responsibility for own ongoing learning and development. Attend appropriate project specific training as and when required.
* Ensure compliance with health and safety procedures relating to needle stick injury and safe distribution and disposal of sharps.
* Work in accordance with Extern Health & Safety Policies, procedures and the law around Health & Safety at Work.
* Carry out any other duties reasonably requested by the organisation. Ensure NISCC registration is maintained.
Skills and Qualifications
* Minimum of a Level 3 Qualification in a relevant field/subject e.g. Addictions, Mental Health, Youth & Community Work, Social Science etc.
* In the absence of the qualification requirement, 2 years recent, relevant experience of working with people who use substances and/or alcohol.
* 6 months' substantial experience of working with people who use substances and/ or alcohol.
* Demonstrable understanding of issues affecting people who inject drugs. Computer literate e.g. email, MS Word, input information to databases.
* Be registered with NISCC within three months of commencing employment.
* OCN Level 3 in Drug and Alcohol Awareness or equivalent.
* Experience working with high-risk individuals with complex needs, to include injecting drug users.
* Experience of delivering needle syringe exchange services. Trained in Naloxone administration.
* Full UK driving license and access to use of a car, with appropriate business insurance, to undertake duties within role.
Further Information
An ability and willingness to work to a rota that includes day, weekend and evening work.
Extern is an equal opportunities employer.
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