Substance Misuse Outreach Worker
What is the work like?
As an outreach worker you would encourage people with substance misuse problems to seek help from local support services, and advise them about how to minimise the risks to their health.
You would be based in the community, and work with vulnerable groups such as the homeless, young people and workers in the sex industry. You would act as a link between these groups and treatment programmes run by local authorities, charities and healthcare organisations.
Your duties with clients could include:
- giving face-to-face advice about health protection
- discussing their options for support
- assessing their situation and needs
- referring them to the appropriate service, for example a harm reduction programme, counsellor or GP
- helping them to access other services like housing or temporary accommodation
- attending appointments with them and providing help like filling out forms
- working with their families to provide wider practical and emotional support.
Part of the job is to raise awareness of substance misuse issues and promote support services, which would involve:
- building relationships with community organisations like tenants' groups, training centres and treatment providers
- accompanying police patrols around pubs and clubs, advising people about drug and alcohol misuse
- running workshops in schools and youth centres to raise awareness of substance misuse issues.
You would work closely with other professionals such as nurses, social workers and drug and alcohol project workers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not necessarily need qualifications for this type of work but you must have a good understanding of the issues facing people with substance misuse problems. Volunteering for an organisation such as a drug, alcohol or housing charity is an excellent way to build skills and experience, and would help when you come to apply for paid work.
You can find contacts for substance misuse organisations in your local telephone directory or by visiting Talktofrank, where you can search by postcode or town.
Previous experience in criminal justice, social care, youth work or counselling may give you an advantage when looking for paid work. If you have personal experience of addiction or dependency you could also apply for outreach work, as applications are usually welcome from people who have successfully come through treatment.
Part-time college courses in substance misuse are available, for instance the NCFE Certificate in Drug Awareness, which might help you to gain an understanding of some of the issues. Check with your local college for details.
Most jobs would also need you to pass an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. This job involves a lot of travel around the community, so a driving licence and access to a vehicle could be helpful, although this is not always essential.
See the websites for the Federation of Drug & Alcohol Professionals (FDAP), DrugScope and Alcohol Concern for more information about working in substance misuse.
What further training and development can I do?
Most organisations will give you on-the-job training whether you are volunteering or in paid employment.
It is important to continually develop your skills throughout your career. You can find details about professional certification on the Federation of Drug & Alcohol Professionals (FDAP) website. To gain certification you have to be assessed against a number of nationally agreed standards.
You could also take training leading to:
- National Open College Network Award in Tackling Substance Misuse Level 3
- BTEC Certificate in Working with Substance Misuse levels 3 and 4
- City & Guilds Award in Working with Substance Misuse levels 3 and 4.
If you want to progress in this career, you may have to take higher-level qualifications. The training and development section of the Drug and Alcohol Worker job profile has more details about these.
See the Training section of Drink and Drugs.net for more information about training courses and providers.
Where can I go for more information?
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for outreach workers are between £15,000 and £20,000 a year.
- With experience, this can rise to between £21,000 and £28,000.
Volunteers may receive expenses such as travel costs.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your hours may be irregular and unsocial, and on-call duties could form part of the job. In a full-time post, you would work between 35 and 40 hours a week. Part-time paid and voluntary work is widely available.
You may be based in one place, for example at a charity's drop-in centre, but the nature of the job means you would be travelling around the community to work with clients and give talks.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- empathy and a calm, caring approach
- an understanding of substance misuse issues and their impact on people
- a non-judgemental attitude
- the ability to build trusting relationships
- the ability to work on your own initiative and also as part of a team
- excellent communication and listening skills
- the ability to work closely with a range of different organisations
- respect for confidentiality.
What opportunities are there?
You can find work with a range of organisations including:
- charities
- housing associations
- health agencies
- local authorities
- the probation service
- prisons.
With experience, you could become a volunteer coordinator or project team leader. You could also specialise in working with a particular user group, for example young people.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Drink and Drugs.net
Community Care
Society Guardian
LG Jobs
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