Young Persons Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HCAS included in pay

Professional development

Clinical supervision

Ongoing training

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a clinician to assess young people up to 21 years with hazardous or dependent substance use, manage risk, and deliver interventions while coordinating with partner services. The role combines direct clinical work with training and support for other professionals.

Professional registration with NMC/HCPC or psychology degree is required; you will be involved in safeguarding, care planning, and contributing to service development within

Qualifications

• CPD and post-registration training in assessing and treating substance misuse
• Experience teaching others and willingness to teach
• Experience with substance misuse and mental health problems

Responsibilities

• Comprehensive assessment of referred young people with risk assessment and care planning
• Deliver evidence-based interventions and harm reduction advice to young people and families
• Test bodily fluids as part of assessment
• Assess psychological, emotional, social and treatment needs
• Manage caseload with clinical documentation
• Work with schools, CAMHS, children's services, youth offending and social care
• Participate in safeguarding processes and escalate risk
• Support movement to education, training and employment
• Provide consultation and training to nursing, medical and other professionals
• Contribute to group programmes, outreach and health promotion

Skills

NHS policy knowledge

Brief intervention

Motivational interviewing

Relapse management

Harm minimisation

Dual diagnosis

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

IT literacy

Education

CPD in substance misuse

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

This post sits within the Hillingdon Drug and Alcohol Service, run by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, and works with young people aged 21 and under. The role centres on assessing young people with hazardous, harmful or dependent drug and alcohol use, managing risk, and delivering interventions while liaising with partner services. It combines direct clinical work, including testing of bodily fluids, with training and support for other professionals. Professional registration with the NMC or HCPC, or a psychology degree, is needed to be eligible.

What the job involves

• Comprehensive assessment of referred young people, including risk assessment and care planning
• Delivering evidence-based interventions and harm reduction advice to young people and their families
• Testing bodily fluids (urine and/or saliva) and dry blood spots as part of assessment
• Assessing psychological, emotional, social and treatment needs, taking account of family and community
• Managing and reviewing a caseload with accurate, timely clinical documentation
• Working collaboratively with schools, CAMHS, children's services, youth offending and social care
• Participating in safeguarding processes, identifying, managing and escalating risk
• Supporting young people to move to other services and into education, training and employment
• Providing consultation, guidance and training to nursing, medical and other professionals working with young people
• Contributing to group programmes, outreach and health promotion activities
• Participating in the needle exchange programme when required
• Contributing to service development, quality improvement and clinical governance

What’s required

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development and post-registration training in assessing and treating substance misuse clients

Registration & licences

• Professional registration with the NMC or HCPC, or psychology graduate status

Experience

• Assessing and supporting people affected by substance misuse and/or mental health difficulties
• Assessing risky health behaviour
• Experience of teaching others, and willingness to teach

Skills & knowledge

• Clinical knowledge of NHS and national drug and alcohol policy, and of withdrawal management
• Brief intervention, motivational interviewing or relapse management skills
• Working within a harm minimisation model
• Assessing and treating people with dual diagnosis
• Good verbal, written and presentation skills, and interpersonal skills to negotiate effectively inside and outside the Trust
• IT literacy in Word and Excel, including reporting clinical activity data

Other

• Working independently and prioritising effectively
• Treating service users with respect and dignity, using a culturally sensitive approach with warmth and empathy
• Maintaining satisfactory attendance and performing the role in line with Trust policies
• Meeting the requirements of the post, with reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010

Nice to have

• Diploma in Drugs and Alcohol Studies or equivalent
• Training in cognitive behavioural therapy
• Completed the Motivational Interviewing training module
• Experience of working with young peopleExperience of working in and delivering services to drug users
• Experience of group facilitation
• Experience of managing a community caseload
• Knowledge of patient information systems

What’s offered

• High cost area supplement (HCAS) included in pay
• Opportunities for professional development
• Clinical supervision
• Ongoing training