Peer Harm Reduction Support Worker

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.  

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.  

We have an exciting opportunity for 6 Peer Harm Reduction Support Workers to join our Forth Valley service who will bring additional capacity to our team. The posts are an opportunity for individuals with lived or living experience of alcohol or drug use to gain work experience and training and enhance their longer-term employability. 

You will work within our established Harm Reduction team, providing assertive outreach to engage with more difficult to reach service users through offering harm reduction interventions, engagement, and support to access services. This service will be offered in a variety of locations across Forth Valley. 

This role is for a 12 months Fixed Term Contract

Where: Forth Valley

Salary - £23,251.47

Hours: 37.5 per week

About the role: 

• To support the provision of the harm reduction teams key activities; assertive outreach, injecting equipment provision, take home naloxone and DBST 
• To provide a service which ensures equity of access, including individuals in remote or rural areas 
• To deliver effective engagement and harm reduction interventions for service users presenting with a wide range of drug and alcohol problems 
• To support Harm Reduction Navigators in identifying and proactively engaging with individuals who are experiencing non-fatal overdoses 
• To promote and support service users, under the guidance of the harm reduction navigators, to access appropriate treatment and support services 
• To support engagement of individuals in the criminal justice system, supporting navigators in providing arrest referral service 
• To work with the harm reduction navigators to build and develop service users' personal strengths, social networks and recovery capital 
• To support visible recovery within the service by being a positive role model 
• To work in partnership with other agencies, providing support to ensure a coordinated approach 
• To provide an effective transfer of care to the appropriate services as required 
• To provide the service in a wide variety of venues including street outreach and A&E to engage service users who would not typically access a substance use service 

About you:  

Experience: 

• Personal experience of alcohol/substance use services and recovery. 
• A minimum of 1 year living in recovery, free from all illicit substances and problematic drinking. 
• Experience of providing engagement/ support to others (voluntary or paid). 

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of the harmful effects associated with substance use in relation to health, social welfare, housing, employability and personal relationships. 
• Some knowledge of harm reduction interventions available. 
• A knowledge and understanding of policies related to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. 

Education: 

• A good general standard of education and literacy. 

Skills and Abilities: 

• The ability to quickly establish rapport with service users and use assertive engagement techniques. 
• Ability to maintain accurate records including data management systems within agreed deadlines. 
• Commitment to working collaboratively with co-workers and external services. 
• Commitment to sharing knowledge, experience and learning with colleagues to improve standards of practice. 
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice that is reflected in professional relationships with service users, colleagues and the general public. 

What we will give to you:  

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”  
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme  
• Contributory pension scheme  
• Several benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.  
• A friendly and supportive team  
• Training, career development & progression opportunities  
• Refer a friend scheme and receive £250 in vouchers if candidate is successful.   

Please read attached Job Description for a more detailed out line of responsibilities and Person Specifications  

If this sounds like you and you would like to begin your journey with Change Grow Live, then we would love to talk to you.