JOB VACANCIES

Youth Worker – Specialising in Drug & Alcohol Support Services (x 2 posts)

Full time – 36 hours per week

Salary £27,916

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Youth Worker – Specialising in drug and alcohol work

Responsible To: Project Director

Responsible For: None

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week some evening and weekend work

Salary: £27,916

Annual Leave: 252 hours per annum, inclusive of public holidays

Job Purpose:

Working as part of a small team in collaboration with Circle (West Lothian) and West Lothian Drug & Alcohol Service. The youth workers will work together when delivering groupwork and will also have individual cases

The posts will provide support for young people between the ages of 12 and 18 across West Lothian and in a range of settings to reduce substance misuse and helping to build life skills, promote positive choices and improve life chances.

The post holders will work with the Youth Action Project staff team and partners to deliver information sessions, develop innovative groupwork programmes and creative ways to engage young people into positive activities. The work may also involve family intervention where appropriate. The Youth workers will also work closely with West Lothian Council Whole Family support team, Families Together and residential units to support some of our most vulnerable young people.

The post holder will be expected to maintain supporting systems for the service, including confidential record keeping, statistical data as required and evaluating the approach within an outcome-based framework

Main Job Activities:

1. To provide support for young people, who are at risk of developing a substance problem.

2. To provide support and interventions for young people, who have a more established pattern of substance use.

3. To provide support for young people who are experiencing difficulties due to alcohol or drug use of a family member or friend.

4. To provide 1:1 support as required and help young people engage with other external agencies when appropriate, building their social supports and skills.

5. To develop, deliver and evaluate group work which aims to reduce substance misuse and improve life chances.

6. To build relationships with statutory and non-statutory organisations, promoting the service to ensure appropriate referrals.

7. To play an active part in the evaluation of the work of the Collaborative through identification of service outcomes and developing and implementing recording and evaluation tools.

8. To maintain a working knowledge of developments in services for young people within West Lothian.

9. To operate within Child Protection and Adult Protection guidelines and GIRFEC principles.

10. Attend regular supervision sessions with both their line manager

Responsibilities of all West Lothian Youth Action Project staff

• Manage and prioritise workload and ensure that deadlines are met.

• Work flexibly and cooperatively with members of the Youth Action Project towards aims and objectives agreed by the organisation.

• Maintain positive and constructive working relationships with all colleagues

• Undertake relevant professional development activities and training as agreed with line manager.

• Undertake other duties relevant to the post and on occasion other wider duties pertinent to WLYAP strategic objectives.

• Maintain confidentiality, as appropriate, with sensitive or privileged information, including day-to-day observance of Data Protection guidelines.

• Adhere to all policies, procedures, systems and guidelines, and contribute constructively, as required, to their ongoing development.

• If necessary, from time to time, work outside normal working hours for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Youth Worker – Specialising in Drug and Alcohol Support Services

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Relevant experience, training or qualification – Community Education, Health, Social Work

Relevant qualification and experience related to working with young people and their families on a 1:1 and group basis

Relevant qualification or experience related to working with substance use and its effects

Experience of working within a multiagency approach

Experience of working within child protection and vulnerable adult guidelines

Ability to manage confidential record keeping

Have a good understanding of ACEs and approaches used to reduce their consequences

Understanding of the issues facing young people

Have excellent oral, written communication and IT skills

Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of young people

Ability to work on own initiative and within a team setting

Ability to work evening and weekends if required

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Diploma in Counselling

Qualification in Community Learning, Social Work or Mental Health

Understanding/knowledge of substance misuse and its consequences for individuals, families and community life.

Good knowledge of West Lothian and services available to young people and their families

Experience of delivering presentations and training

Experience of being involved in research

Driving Licence with access to own vehicle.