Introduction

Young people who misuse drugs and alcohol have complex needs and dealing with them is no easy matter.

This job involves providing a specialist service to children, young people and their families who present a range of agencies with substance misuse problems. The substance misuse (SM) worker is responsible to the Team Manager (Young Persons).

The post is available in all types of authority except for district councils.

Work Environment

Work settings include the office and a number of outreach venues, community bases, schools and family homes. Situations can sometimes be distressing because clients can be aggressive and uncooperative.

The working week is a standard 37 hours with some anti-social shifts.

Daily Activities

This is essentially a team task that also cuts across the social services department as a whole and with staff in other agencies. SM workers liaise closely with senior figures in the following teams:

• the manager (young persons)
• the project manager (outreach)
• social workers (children and families)
• community support workers (children and families)
• drug action groups
• youth offending services.

They also have key relationships with the:

• police authority
• education authority and schools
• health authorities
• housing department.

Substance misuse workers have a duty to:

• develop and deliver constructive intervention through group and individual work
• work closely with practitioners from other agencies concerned with drug abuse
• assist with basic drug/alcohol training and provide specialist advice
• identify those at risk as soon as possible and seek to prevent further problems
• address specific individual needs
• take personal management responsibility for a caseload
• work with children of drug using parents in small group settings and seek solutions together
• provide information and support for parents and carers of clients
• monitor the progress of support programmes
• maintain records, reports and correspondence of those using the service
• respect confidentiality
• keep up with relevant legislation, practice and research about substance misuse and young people.

Skills & Interests

They must have:

• an understanding of the physical, psychological and social effects of substance misuse and of child and adolescent development
• knowledge of the Children Act of 1989
• developed written and verbal communication skills
• shown that they can identify risk/crisis situations where a client might harm him/herself or others
• a mature, well balanced and stable temperament
• caring nature.

It would also be useful to know about different models and methods of drug/alcohol treatment interventions – motivational interviewing, brief and focused interventions, detoxification and substitute prescribing.

Entry Requirements

It is essential to have an NVQ 3 in Social Care, or equivalent. NVQ level 4 is desirable plus a relevant professional qualification.

You would need two years experience of working in a statutory or voluntary agency with young people and some experience of working with staff from different agencies and of substance misuse related work.

Experience of working with families and of training for drug dependent clients is also desirable.

Estimated salary range

Variable: from £12,390 to £17,823 due to possible differences in job description as given above.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

The rapid development of Drug Action teams on a multi-agency basis is providing a range of opportunity for advancement and rewarding work. It is an expanding area where there will always be people needing help for some time to come. Any of the positions in the Young People’s Team can be next steps for promotion with extra managerial responsibilities. With further training and qualification in social work/care further advancement is possible.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

‘Community Care’, journal

Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk

General Social Care Council www.gscc.org.uk

Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk

Northern Ireland Social Care Council www.niscc.info

Scottish Social Services Council www.sssc.uk.com

National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk

Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare

Follow this link for social services recruitment contacts within local councils in your area.

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under V.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Substance Misuse Worker vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.