Job summary The North London Forensic Service is a NHS tertiary forensic mental health service based at Chase Farm Hospital in the London Borough of Enfield. We provide care and treatment to people aged over 18 who have a primary diagnosis of mental illness or learning disability and who are liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act (1983). The service supports those whose risk of harm to others or escape from hospital cannot be safely managed in other mental health settings and therefore require care and treatment within a secure mental health service. The post holder will help deliver dual diagnosis services, ensuring that high quality services are delivered to service users with complex diagnosis. The post holder will work alongside the other members of the Substance Misuse (STAR-Team) team to offer evidenced based interventions to service users in the in-patient services. The post holder will assist the Team Lead to develop and maintain high quality standards of care. The post holder will help deliver dual diagnosis services, ensuring that high quality services are delivered to service users with complex diagnosis. The post holder will work alongside the other members of the STAR-team to offer evidenced based interventions to service users in the in-patient services. The post holder will assist the STAR-Team Lead to develop and maintain high quality standards of care. Main duties of the job 1.1. The Senior Recovery Worker role involves working with service users in the in-patient service of the North London Forensic Service who have issues relating to their use of drugs and/or alcohol. This can involve the screening and assessment of service users, 1:1 counselling sessions, delivering evidence-based interventions for substance misuse or co-facilitating group sessions. The key skills involved are the ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with service users. A background in either substance misuse or mental healthcare is essential, as is a good knowledge of substance misuse models of care & treatment and a good understanding of illicit drugs. About us North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people. Our Five-Year Strategy: We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care. We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology. In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis. Date posted 27 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary Depending on experience Dependent upon experience. Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 306-BEH-2636 Job locations Chase Farm Hospital 127 The Ridgeway Enfield EN2 8JL Job description Job responsibilities To carry out initial screening and triage, and develop and implement treatment within the field of dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use/misuse) for service users identified as potentially having a dual diagnosis within NLFS. To carry out substance misuse assessments, as appropriate To provide one to one sessions with service users, ensuring that care and recovery planning in relation to Substance misuse is conducted on an individual basis according to the specific needs of the service user. To communicate highly sensitive information requiring the development of persuasive or re-assurance skills to service users and colleagues. To establish, sustain and disengage from therapeutic relationships with individuals. To interact and co-operate with service users, relatives, and other professionals within NLFS and any community services as appropriate. To have professional responsibility for promoting equality, diversity, and rights. To work closely with ward-based nursing teams and multidisciplinary teams to support the implementation of substance misuse care plans To design, implement and monitor treatment plans with service users that address their needs in relation to mental health and substance misuse problems. To assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to service users and/or others. To educate and give information to service users and others in the care of the client on issues related to mental health problems and substance misuse. To support service users to engage in interventions aimed at addressing their substance misuse difficulties. To deliver structured psychosocial interventions including harm reduction/minimization strategies, motivational interviewing, CBT programmes, problem solving,behavioural interventions and counselling techniques as negotiated with individual service users. To co-facilitate and support the delivery of group programmes throughout NLFS in-patient services and within the community. To understand the rationale for UDS (urine drug screening), Ion tracker screening and breath alcohol testing and support such testing as necessary. To actively participate in CPA meetings, professionals meeting, case review meetings and also advising others regarding management of cases. Job description Job responsibilities To carry out initial screening and triage, and develop and implement treatment within the field of dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use/misuse) for service users identified as potentially having a dual diagnosis within NLFS. To carry out substance misuse assessments, as appropriate To provide one to one sessions with service users, ensuring that care and recovery planning in relation to Substance misuse is conducted on an individual basis according to the specific needs of the service user. To communicate highly sensitive information requiring the development of persuasive or re-assurance skills to service users and colleagues. To establish, sustain and disengage from therapeutic relationships with individuals. To interact and co-operate with service users, relatives, and other professionals within NLFS and any community services as appropriate. To have professional responsibility for promoting equality, diversity, and rights. To work closely with ward-based nursing teams and multidisciplinary teams to support the implementation of substance misuse care plans To design, implement and monitor treatment plans with service users that address their needs in relation to mental health and substance misuse problems. To assess and act upon immediate risk of danger to service users and/or others. To educate and give information to service users and others in the care of the client on issues related to mental health problems and substance misuse. To support service users to engage in interventions aimed at addressing their substance misuse difficulties. To deliver structured psychosocial interventions including harm reduction/minimization strategies, motivational interviewing, CBT programmes, problem solving,behavioural interventions and counselling techniques as negotiated with individual service users. To co-facilitate and support the delivery of group programmes throughout NLFS in-patient services and within the community. To understand the rationale for UDS (urine drug screening), Ion tracker screening and breath alcohol testing and support such testing as necessary. To actively participate in CPA meetings, professionals meeting, case review meetings and also advising others regarding management of cases. Person Specification Qualifications/ Registrations Essential oPossession of an appropriate qualification or relevant experience and can demonstrate its relevance to this role i.e. the National Diploma Level 3 in Substance Misuse and/or a minimum of two years' experience in the field of addictions Desirable oExperienced in the use of ITEP or other psychosocial interventions such as addictions counselling or Motivational Interviewing oAn awareness of the role of CPD and Reflective practice in effectively working in this setting oEvidence of recent study Experience/ Knowledge Essential oRecent and relevant experience of working with clients experiencing issues with substance misuse. oExperience of working in a multidisciplinary team oExperience of assessment of people with substance misuse and related problems. Desirable oExperience of working in forensic settings oExperience of working in community settings oExperience of working in dual diagnosis service oExperience in case/care management for vulnerable and complex mental health and substance misuse problems oEvidence of working with complex mental health and substance misuse service users owithin in-patient and/or community settings oAble to apply advanced understanding of physical, psychological and social needs of complex mental health and substance mis-users - dual diagnosis oExperience in contributing to multi agency case/care management plans for service users with dual diagnosis presentations Skills/ Abilities Essential oAbility to work independently if necessary and as part of a team, coupled with the ability to share skills oAn understanding of the principles and practice of harm minimisation. A commitment to working within the harm reduction model of practice. oThe ability to conduct a strengths-based assessment eliciting a client's recovery capital. oAn awareness of the physical, psychological, and social needs of substance misusers oA commitment to obtain an understanding of the theories and practices of safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults. oAbility to establish working therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries. oAbility to work with stable drug users in a low threshold support setting. oAn understanding and knowledge of the main psychoactive drugs used by this client group, their effects and current treatments. oAbility to manage challenging behaviour/ crisis intervention. oAbility to work in sometimes highly distressing and emotional circumstances. Desirable oAn understanding of Public Health directives and their impact on service delivery oExperience of using electronic case management systems oEvidence of applying working knowledge of complex interactions in mental health and substance misuse oAble to formulate assessment, risk and care management of dual diagnosis service users. oEvidence of ability to develop, sustain and provide support to individuals with drug, alcohol and mental health needs. oEvidence of knowledge of good practice guidelines on Dual Diagnosis and implications on service delivery oAble to develop and maintain professional and service user relationships across multiple Hospital and Community settingsA&I Personal Qualities Essential oA keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems. oAbility to acknowledge diversity and promote anti- discriminatory practice/equal opportunities oAn ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour. oEmpathy, compassion, and patience oReliable, trustworthy, and enthusiastic oA caring, responsible and positive approach Other Requirements Essential oEffective IT skills able to use Word, case note software etc. oGood general health record Willingness to learn. Desirable Car driver/ability to travel to different sites Person Specification Qualifications/ Registrations Essential oPossession of an appropriate qualification or relevant experience and can demonstrate its relevance to this role i.e. the National Diploma Level 3 in Substance Misuse and/or a minimum of two years' experience in the field of addictions Desirable oExperienced in the use of ITEP or other psychosocial interventions such as addictions counselling or Motivational Interviewing oAn awareness of the role of CPD and Reflective practice in effectively working in this setting oEvidence of recent study Experience/ Knowledge Essential oRecent and relevant experience of working with clients experiencing issues with substance misuse. oExperience of working in a multidisciplinary team oExperience of assessment of people with substance misuse and related problems. Desirable oExperience of working in forensic settings oExperience of working in community settings oExperience of working in dual diagnosis service oExperience in case/care management for vulnerable and complex mental health and substance misuse problems oEvidence of working with complex mental health and substance misuse service users owithin in-patient and/or community settings oAble to apply advanced understanding of physical, psychological and social needs of complex mental health and substance mis-users - dual diagnosis oExperience in contributing to multi agency case/care management plans for service users with dual diagnosis presentations Skills/ Abilities Essential oAbility to work independently if necessary and as part of a team, coupled with the ability to share skills oAn understanding of the principles and practice of harm minimisation. A commitment to working within the harm reduction model of practice. oThe ability to conduct a strengths-based assessment eliciting a client's recovery capital. oAn awareness of the physical, psychological, and social needs of substance misusers oA commitment to obtain an understanding of the theories and practices of safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults. oAbility to establish working therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries. oAbility to work with stable drug users in a low threshold support setting. oAn understanding and knowledge of the main psychoactive drugs used by this client group, their effects and current treatments. oAbility to manage challenging behaviour/ crisis intervention. oAbility to work in sometimes highly distressing and emotional circumstances. Desirable oAn understanding of Public Health directives and their impact on service delivery oExperience of using electronic case management systems oEvidence of applying working knowledge of complex interactions in mental health and substance misuse oAble to formulate assessment, risk and care management of dual diagnosis service users. oEvidence of ability to develop, sustain and provide support to individuals with drug, alcohol and mental health needs. oEvidence of knowledge of good practice guidelines on Dual Diagnosis and implications on service delivery oAble to develop and maintain professional and service user relationships across multiple Hospital and Community settingsA&I Personal Qualities Essential oA keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems. oAbility to acknowledge diversity and promote anti- discriminatory practice/equal opportunities oAn ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour. oEmpathy, compassion, and patience oReliable, trustworthy, and enthusiastic oA caring, responsible and positive approach Other Requirements Essential oEffective IT skills able to use Word, case note software etc. oGood general health record Willingness to learn. Desirable Car driver/ability to travel to different sites Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name 306 North London NHS Foundation Trust Address Chase Farm Hospital 127 The Ridgeway Enfield EN2 8JL Employer's website https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)