Band 4 Drug Education Programme Facilitator / ST&R Worker

Job overview

We are looking for an experienced Support, Time and Recovery Worker to join the Integrated Non-Custodial Drug Education Programme and Liaison and Diversion Service, offering group intervention and assessment and support and to individuals within Criminal Justice settings in Bristol (predominantly Police Custody suites , however community settings also).

We operate under an all vulnerabilities model, identifying care pathways for individuals with a wide range of support needs, including mental health needs, substance misuse issues, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

Main duties of the job

The Drug Education Programme (DEP) is a psychoeducational group programme, delivered as a non-criminal diversion of a person arrested for possession of drugs.

Normally first-time offenders, who it is felt might benefit from - Signposting around drug issues - Safety around risk of unknown suppliers - Risk of unknown dose or actual identity of narcotic - Safe use of narcotics though the Programme is based on discouraging drug use knowledge of the above issues may lead to safer use.

When not engaged in DEP the successful candidate will be expected to function in the following as a Support Time and Recovery Worker:

Working alongside Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioners, the post holder will be based within the Integrated Non-Custodial Liaison and Diversion Service. The role will cover predominantly Police stations (at Keynsham and Patchway), working with individuals (to include adults, young people and children) with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities that have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

The post holder will support clients, who are often deemed ‘hard-to-engage’, to access and utilise a range of community services in order to improve their use of these resources, which is likely to improve their mental health, social difficulties, and reduce the risk of them re-offending.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Promote the rights of individuals by recognising differences and acting in accordance with the relevant legislation, recognizing and reporting discriminatory behaviour, and taking appropriate action.

• Respond to the needs of individual with sensitivity with regard to their age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, social class or disability, modifying behaviour to optimise the helping relationship.
• Promote and maintain effective communication with people in order to build and sustain positive working relationships with Peer Support Volunteers, individuals, families and carers, Courts, Police, Probation and other agencies.
• Responsible for the planning, implementation and review of care packages, including implementing specific parts of an individual care plan on behalf of different care professionals.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of patient activity, writing reports and letters, using electronic record and other systems available within the organisation.
• Support individuals in developing and maintaining their identity and personal relationships, including difficult or potentially difficult relationships.
• Enable people with Mental Health needs to undertake their own health care, in accordance with their care plan.
• Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the workplace.
• You will have responsibility for supporting the recruitment, development, management and supervision of Peer Support Volunteers (approximately 8 per year).
• You will be responsible for the matching of process of service users with Peer Support Volunteers. You will hold a small caseload of complex service users.
• Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, by recognising and reporting any signs that may indicate an individual is at risk of neglecting or harming themselves, or at risk from others, and by participating in processes with other agencies to keep individuals safe.
• Develop own knowledge and practice, and contribute to the development of others, making use of available feedback, supervision and appraisals to identify appropriate areas of development for this work role, taking responsibility for accessing identified learning and training opportunities.
• To contribute to planning, delivering and reviewing treatment programmes using appropriate frameworks in line with evidence-based practice, including strategies to manage risk for service users with complex needs and carers, bringing in other resources as required.
• To proactively participate in management, workload and clinical supervision in accordance with trust policy, taking personal responsibility for making appropriate arrangements.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.