Our Young People and Families Hub (YP&F) delivers a wide range of integrated support services that are designed to help resolve complex difficulties experienced by young people and their families/carers. Our Hub works with those in trouble, providing early intervention to those who are in crisis, leaving care, missing from home, or with substance misuse or mental health problems - services support people no matter what their situation, and have demonstrated a high success rate.
Our Merton Risk and Resilience Service is an integrated service, focused on mitigating risk, and promoting resilience, in children and young people (C&YP). Our service aims to reduce the harm to children and young people (aged 18 and under), within the Child Exploitation (CE) and Missing service area, and C&YP (aged 24 and under), within the substance misuse service area.
Job Description
Main Duties & Accountabilities:
In partnership with Merton Schools, the Senior Substance Misuse School Link Practitioner will:
* Develop training for education staff, and where required develop and deliver workshops to parents and carers to provide basic drug, alcohol and wellbeing awareness. The post holder will also offer 1 to 1 targeted support for parents/carers for young people who have an identified substance misuse concern.
* Provide family interventions and support to parents/carers of service users accessing Catch22 substance misuse service; you will hold a pre-defined case load of parent/carers, who are referred, by means of effective assessment, care planning and risk management.
* Work collaboratively with local schools and other relevant agencies to deliver a holistic package of care; this may include attending multi agency meetings. Ensure effective referrals, care and risk management, as well as ease of transition and referral for young people. This practice will aid inclusive practices and support the young person’s attendance at school, or other appropriate educational establishment.
* Responding to referrals and undertaking needs assessment to inform delivery of 1:1 intervention with parents/carers. Offering appropriate harm reduction; information and support.
* Deliver wellbeing and substance misuse education workshops to parents/carers of service users/ students.
* Where safeguarding concerns are identified, responding appropriately by supporting the family and the young person, referring, and sharing information with Merton Children’s Services, in accordance with the requirements of the schools’ safeguarding policy and Catch22’s safeguarding policy and guidance.
* Offer an initial triage/assessment for students (aged up to 18) where concerns/incidents relating to substance misuse have been identified and onward referral of CYP into treatment as appropriate.
* Ensuring records of involvement with young people/adults and families are appropriately completed in accordance with GDPR and Catch22’s monitoring and recording standards and requirements.
* Adhere to partnership working protocols with other agencies and promote effective dialogue, referral and care pathways between agencies, families, and schools.
* Be a proactive member of the service and team, attending meetings and training events as required.
* Ensure that the service promotes and reflects equality of opportunity and diversity at all levels.
* Maintain and update professional knowledge and competencies ensuring that you are up-to date on all relevant Catch22 policies and procedures, and are working in line with local and governmental frameworks such as Public Health England, Safeguarding etc.
* Carry out other relevant duties, as required.
* Provide consultancy and guidance on substance misuse issues to colleagues.
* To have use of a vehicle, with up-to-date licence, MOT and Business Insurance,
* To be able to work flexibly including some weekend and regular evening work one/two days a week, to meet the needs of the client group.