Job Description

Job Title:

Lived Experience Outreach Worker

Responsible to:

Lead Worker, Service Co-ordinator

Annual Salary:

11,986 per annum(25,684 for a full time equivalent)

Hours:

17.5

Pension:

4% employee + 4% employer contributions (8%)

Funding:

Fixed term ending 30th June 2026 with possibility of extension

Purpose

The role of the Lived Experience Outreach Worker sits within the Specialist Outreach Recovery Service (SORS). The main purpose of the role is to engage people with heroin, crack and other substance misuse issues and compound needs. By using your lived experience, you will encourage them to access recovery support, reduce the harm caused to themselves and the community by supporting them to set and achieve their goals, kick starting their recoveries. The key aims are to stop the revolving door of drug use, offending behaviour and homelessness, for example, reducing drug-related harm and death.

Essential criteria

Lived Experience of drug and/or alcohol addiction issues. Ability to meet the demands of local travel within the Hastings area. Access to a vehicle with business insurance during hours of work. 2 years' experience working with people with drug misuse and compound needs. Working knowledge of how to support individuals with multiple and complex needs, including members of the street community, those with drug misuse and work with offenders and ex-offenders.

Key Activities

Ensure all new clients are assessed for drug misuse and other presenting issues including mental and physical ill health, learning difficulties and neurodiversity, for example. An analysis of the impact of substance misuse on the individual and the wider community will be carried out and an initial support plan implemented. In addition to providing harm reduction advice and information and signposting to health and social care services, the post holder will support individuals with building on their strengths and interests and building recovery capital. Encourage and facilitate referrals to treatment services and agencies as appropriate. Work collaboratively with partner agencies to support service users' engagement in treatment. Record information and report on substance misuse histories, demographics and other related matters like housing, finances etc. Share Safeguarding alerts and data around risk with partner services in line with inter agency data sharing protocol, Caldicott's principles and GDPR.

Lived Experience Outreach Worker

Workers to carry out joint engagement work when a specific support need is identified, for example when an individual is attending a group or activity hosted by partner agencies. Encourage members of the street community to attend hub sessions at Seaview and engage with CGL's specialist compound needs workers and the wider Seaview team to ensure support needs are met simultaneously, especially accommodation provision and tenancy support via Seaview's Accommodation Support Service (SASS). Encourage and support clients to attend essential healthcare appointments. Explore options relating to individuals' interests and aspirations and support them to engage in these activities and courses. Ensure all client data, including risk data, safeguarding alerts, serious and untoward incidents and other essential information is recorded, communicated to the service co-ordinator in line with policies and procedures. Reports all operational matters of concern to the Lead Worker and/or Service Co-ordinator Ensuring that you are delivering the service in accordance with Seaview's policies and procedures with a clear focus on risk management including infection control. Being responsive to the support needs of vulnerable clients by working collaboratively with other agencies, monitoring outcomes and seeking appropriate resolutions with regards to safeguarding, housing and criminal justice for example. To identify and engage service users with drug misuse issues to CGL and various support services locally. To ensure harm reduction advice and information is provided to service users. To carry out some home visits as required. To advocate for clients and attend appointments with them as deemed necessary. The ability to deal with challenging behaviour with understanding and professionalism and encourage others to do the same. To reflect on own practice through supervision and support.

Person Specification

Previous experience working with individuals with multiple compound needs, including members of the street community, those with drug misuse and work with current and ex-offenders. An understanding of the barriers which prevent those with drug misuse issues from accessing services and related support. Previous experience of multi-agency working and the ability to liaise with both statutory and voluntary sector partners. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Knowledge of Harm Reduction approaches in relation to drug misuse. Awareness of behaviour change theory and practice Self-management. Ability to prioritise and manage a busy and ever changing caseload. This will include co-ordinating diary commitments to meet service demands and proactive decision making skills with the ability to show initiative in emergency situations. Working knowledge of drug and alcohol misuse, criminal justice, housing and social care services. Understanding of client confidentiality and data sharing protocols. Excellent IT skills and experience of producing and providing clear, concise records of interventions. Ability to travel across Hastings to meet the demands of the service. Willingness and ability to work unsociable hours, where required.

General Terms of Reference

You will seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills. You will participate in appraisal, training and supervision processes. You will keep abreast of developments in services and practice relevant to the client group. You will keep the Service Co-ordinator fully apprised of all progress and concerns. You will contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment. You will, as part of the generic team approach, be prepared to work in other areas of Seaview Project as required.

This is not a contract of employment, and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of key responsibilities. It is a guide to the role, and will be subject to periodic review.

This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 11,986.00 per year

Expected hours: 17.5 per week

Work Location: In person