Drug and Alcohol Practitioner

Change Grow Live Drug & Alcohol Practitioner co-located with WSCC Family Safeguarding Team – Young Person and Families Service (part of West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network)

Do you want to work for a caring organisation that believes in people?

We are seeking a number of enthusiastic individuals to join our service at this exciting time. As a CGL Drug & Alcohol Practitioner you will support parents/carer who use our service to help them get to where they want to be. You will be co-located with WSCC Family Safeguarding Team, working in a multi- disciplinary team alongside Children’s Social Workers, Emotional wellbeing practitioners, Domestic Abuse Officers, and Domestic Abuse Victim practitioners.

If you are passionate, eager to learn and develop your skills in working with people who need support in relation to their drug and alcohol use – then this might be a perfect opportunity for you!

At Change, Grow, Live we will support you in your professional development and broaden your knowledge on drugs and alcohol. A bespoke package of training, and protected time for comprehensive induction will be provided to successful candidates in collaboration with West Sussex Children’s Social Care. You will develop the skills to work effectively with parents/carers who use drugs and alcohol, and the ability to work confidently alongside other agencies. Working collaboratively to keep families together, when safe to do so is at the heart of the Family Safeguarding Model.  Training Includes: Drug and Alcohol Use Awareness, Safeguarding Children and Adults, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Domestic Abuse Awareness, Group Work Facilitation, and more (depending on individual needs).

We thrive when we deliver meaningful, mission-driven work. As a charity, we’re united by a shared belief that people can change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. Our core values — Be open, be compassionate, be bold — guide how we work together and with the communities we serve.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We take a proactive, assertive approach to promoting the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults. To be successful in this role, you’ll need to demonstrate a strong understanding of — and commitment to — best practice in safeguarding.

Where: West Sussex Countywide

We have 4 roles available - bases include Worthing, Mid-Sussex, Horsham and Chichester.

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week

Full time Salary Range: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35* dependent on experience 

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

About the role: 

• To assist in the delivery of the YP & Families Service Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network (DAWN) across West Sussex, using an Asset Based Community Development approach, to support individuals and families to overcome multiple, complex problems, so they can live successfully within the community.
• To hold a caseload of parents/carers who are accessing substance use services, to ensure that their and their children’s needs are being met, through use of support plans and reviews. This may involve referral to or provision of substance use interventions, groups, pod work and one to ones and supporting access to medical interventions as well contributing to multi-agency discussions and meetings (including strategy meetings, Child In Need meetings and Core Group Conferences).
• To ensure that risk assessments and management plans are carried out and that safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented at all times.
• To provide evidence based family psychosocial interventions including groupwork.
• To support workers with, and make direct referrals to the Integrated Front Door - Early Help and Children’s Services.
• To support workers with, and undertake, home visits.

About you: 

• Relevant professional qualification (minimum NVQ 3) and/or substantial experience in a related field: Drug & Alcohol Services, Mental Health, Social Work/Care, Probation, Nursing, Education, Youth and Community.
• Understanding and experience of interventions and treatment services available for people with substance use issues.
• Understanding and experience of services and interventions available for families wanting or requiring support (Early Help, Children’s Social Care).
• Experience and knowledge of Children’s Social Care thresholds, referral processes and interventions.
• Demonstrable understanding of multiple, complex problems within families, including the causes of poverty and vulnerability, antisocial behaviour, substance misuse, domestic abuse, mental health, poor school attendance, homelessness, unemployment and offending.
• A good working knowledge of current legislation relating to working with families, safeguarding children and adults and other related agendas.

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
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a friend scheme. 

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. More information about eligible roles and occupations can be found here: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

If you are passionate, eager to learn and develop your skills in working with parents and carers who need support in relation to their drug and alcohol use – then this might be a perfect opportunity for you!

Please note: Our service provides support across West Sussex with an outreach element to it. A full UK driving licence and access to your own car is required.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.