Children and Young Person's Substance Use Worker
Reports to: Team Leader / Alliance Manager
Salary / Grade: £25,430 per annum
Location: Outreach, home visits and co-location with other social care partners expected.
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, in line with funding
Background to Service
Cardiff and Vale Drug and Alcohol Service (CAVDAS) is an alliance of Barod, Recovery Cymru and Kaleidoscope Project with strategic partners G4S and Pobl. CAVDAS delivers specialist support and interventions across Youth Justice Services, Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT) Cardiff Council Housing Services, Counselling, Recovery and Aftercare, Volunteering and Service User Involvement, Rapid Access Prescribing (RAPS), structured interventions, peer support and mutual aid, Harm Reduction and Workforce Development. CAVDAS works across Cardiff and Vale Health and Social Care partners, co‑producing services that deliver outcomes in the way people want. We build a new culture providing one system for Cardiff and Vale and a unified, innovative and flexible delivery model.
Purpose of the Role
To provide face‑to‑face therapeutic intervention and support to young people seeking help to tackle their drug and alcohol use, using the range of models and methods agreed for CAVDAS. The successful applicant will deliver services in line with Welsh Government Treatment Frameworks, NICE guidance, and other relevant professional standards and legislation. CAVDAS staff follow Operational Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensuring safe, high‑standard care informed by evidence‑based practice.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
* Provide face‑to‑face therapeutic intervention and support to young people seeking help to tackle drug and alcohol use.
* Conduct triage, risk, and comprehensive assessments to assess individual needs, identify goals, prepare a support package, and review the programme and outcomes regularly.
* Provide crisis intervention where necessary and appropriate.
* Assist in the development and delivery of CAVDAS training, group work, and structured interventions.
* Signpost young people onto other relevant agencies.
* Empower individuals and enable them to help themselves through informed choice and decision making.
* Ensure access to and maintenance of appropriate support networks and services for young people.
* Maintain appropriate written service‑user records and case notes.
* Actively support young people to stay engaged with CAVDAS.
* Monitor and review young people’s progress using ORS/SRS.
* Consult and participate with young people in all aspects of service delivery.
* Stay up to date with all issues, policies and best practice guidelines regarding substance use and youth work.
* Work with young people in a manner that is Educative, Empowering, Expressive and Participative.
* Foster strong working links with universal services, including local statutory agencies and community groups.
* Accept and assess referrals from all identified sources.
* Liaise with referring agencies regarding individual assessments and needs and progress.
* Access other necessary services and resources identified in conjunction with individuals through referral, negotiation, and advocacy where appropriate.
* Provide training, advice and information on the service, screening, and referral on substance‑use related issues to Tier 1 and Tier 2 services across Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan.
* Maintain a positive profile of CAVDAS and the service provided through appropriate networking, liaison and multi‑agency working and work in a manner that complements and dovetails with existing statutory and voluntary sector provision.
* Provide accurate information and answer queries on issues about substance/alcohol use.
* Deliver talks, workshops, presentations, provide training where appropriate.
* Organise displays, exhibitions and participate in community, agency‑led events where appropriate.
* Disseminate CAVDAS and other leaflets, posters, factsheets, and other literature as appropriate.
* Adhere to all CAVDAS policies and procedures.
* Ensure the undertaking of appropriate monitoring, review, and evaluation procedures.
* Co‑operate with requests from CAVDAS management and administration.
* Take up CAVDAS arrangements for support and supervision and participate in all relevant internal meetings.
* Undertake other reasonable duties as requested but which may not be specified within the job description.
Professional Development
* Maintain and develop personal expertise and knowledge by reading, networking and further training in order to develop professional competence and contribute to the development of competence within the team.
* Help with the induction and orientation of new staff, volunteers and students.
* Ensure professional development by seeking regular supervision and annual appraisals.
* Effectively manage own time and prioritise workload, maintaining own administration and accurate personal records regarding travel, diary appointments, TOIL, and expenses incurred.
Service Development
* Support the continued delivery of a high‑quality service in line with the service specification and regional delivery plans.
* Contribute to the delivery of internal teaching and training programmes.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues to further develop the service.
Vision and Values
The post holder will be expected to adhere to and embody Alliance values of TRUST, EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION, CANDOUR, COLLABORATION and CO‑PRODUCTION in their day‑to‑day activities working towards the Alliance outcome framework and as part of a wider team.
Health and Safety
This post has been identified as requiring evidence of BBV immunisation status to carry out the role effectively. The role may require the post holder to undertake Dry Blood Spot Testing, Substance Use Testing or Working in Needle Exchange or is a clinical role and therefore CAVDAS wishes to ensure that staff are not at risk of infection or transmission of a disease that may affect their own or patient safety. Staff will therefore need to evidence their immunisation history, exemption or non‑responder on commencement of employment or at routine intervals at the request of the Alliance.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
* At least 12 months experience of working with young people.
* Experience of liaison and networking with a cross section of agencies and individuals.
* Awareness of other services available to young people.
* Knowledge of the local areas and communities.
* Experience of delivering training and/or group work.
* Ability to relate to young people and their families.
* Good written and verbal communication skills.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Driving licence and access to personal mode of transport.
* Understanding of the issues and problems affecting young people.
* Experience of working within the field of substance/alcohol use.
* Commitment to working in a non‑judgemental, anti‑discriminatory and flexible way, within a harm reduction framework.
* Dynamic, enthusiastic, self‑motivated and flexible.
* Ability to work under pressure.
* Ability to work autonomously within the bounds of accountability to the CAVDAS Alliance Manager and immediate Line Manager.
* Ability to establish rapport and relationships of trust with individuals from all backgrounds.
* Welsh speaker.
* Provide evidence of COVID‑19 vaccination status (both vaccinations and boosters unless medically exempt).
Children and Young Person's Substance Use Worker
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