DDAS Criminal Justice Worker

1. The aim of the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) is to engage drug and/or alcohol users and/or their concerned others in Dyfed’s substance misuse treatment system and support them when accessing it.
2. As a DDAS Criminal Justice Worker you'll engage with, support and case manage individuals with substance misuse problems who are involved in the criminal justice system.
3. You'll engage with identified offenders or ex-offenders referred to the Service through the Criminal Justice System, including the provision of drug and alcohol arrest referral cover at Police Stations, attendance for Court duties and Prison visits.

The aim of the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) is to engage drug and/or alcohol users and/or their concerned others in Dyfed’s substance misuse treatment system and support them when accessing it. DDAS staff will support individuals to address substance related issues, access appropriate interventions, reduce physical dependence and related health problems and improve physical, psychological, family and social functioning. DDAS works with substance users and their families, friends and carers in both community and criminal justice settings, delivering specific services for those involved in the criminal justice system. DDAS supports service users and their loved ones to sustain the gains they make in treatment by providing aftercare and peer support to help build social capital and prevent relapse.

DDAS is a consortium comprising three organisations, Barod, Kaleidoscope and G4S, and covers Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire. DDAS is aimed at adult drug and/or alcohol users aged 18 years of age and over, and their families, friends and carers.

DDAS services are provided in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, non-patronising and professional manner and in a way that demonstrates courtesy and respect for individuals using substances, and sensitivity to their unique personal situations and experiences.

Role Purpose:

• Engage with, support and case manage individuals with substance misuse problems who are involved in the criminal justice system.
• Deliver specific one to one and group activities to individuals subject to court orders, working collaboratively with the individual and criminal justice agencies through to the successful completion of the order.
• Assist in delivering the Welsh Government’s ‘Recovery Framework’ by planning and providing high quality, innovative care which reflects our person-centred values and the high levels of ambition we have for the recovery of the individuals for whom we provide support
• Work within DDAS to deliver a range of structured therapeutic interventions to service users engaged with the service.
• Assist in the delivery of an integrated service through the provision of assessment, aftercare action planning, engagement, retention, planned discharge and onward referral as appropriate
• Communicate DDAS’ vision and deliver its mission, corporate strategy and business plans
• Contribute to the safety of communities from drug related crime and negative impacts on health services and provide opportunities for employment, training, education and pro-social activities to aid and sustain recovery
• Involve appropriate individuals in the planning of the individual’s aftercare and promote service user involvement and co-production in service delivery
• Ensure appropriate safeguarding and data protection principles are adhered in working practice
• Inspire and enthuse individuals to maintain positive lifestyle changes

Main duties and responsibilities:

Engage with identified offenders or ex-offenders referred to the Service through the Criminal Justice System, including the provision of drug and alcohol arrest referral cover at Police Stations, attendance for Court duties and Prison visits.

• Carry out detailed personal and risk assessments against criteria, based on the Drug Intervention Record (DIR), including Required Assessments and Restriction on Bail and DRR/ATR and AAR statutory case assessments (using AUDIT)
• Support service users by promoting recovery through the provision of time limited 1:1 and group work programmes, outreach visits and multi-agency meetings.
• Provide reports to the Court and attend Court as required.
• Notify Probation Offender Managers /supervisors of attendance and non-compliance promptly for statutory service users as required.
• To undertake required drug tests as a ‘competent other’
• Support access to Accommodation, ETE, Healthcare, Financial and Family/Relationship support services as necessary.

Deliver a range of motivational, behavioural and socially-based manualised therapies on a one-to-one and group basis to substance users and concerned others.

The post-holder should expect to partake in video-recorded practice supervision in order to maintain and further develop their practice. Achieving a high level of competence in therapeutic interventions is a key expectation of this role.

Conduct high level assessments including risk assessment where required

Deliver harm reduction initiatives including NSPs, Naloxone training, and Dried Blood Spot Testing Services where required

Contribute to the DDAS Digital Team

Devise, with service users, individually tailored time-limited support plans, based on a clear assessment of need that assist individuals in building social capital

Liaise closely with DDAS Engagement and Recovery Services, external Tier 3 providers including CDAT, IFSS and Social Services, Police, Probation and other Criminal Justice agencies, and Tier 4 providers to ensure seamless transitions to treatment services

Manage and report on rehabilitation activity requirements as made by court orders

Research and produce information for publications, leaflets and web pages

Enter data onto the DDAS case management system, Palbase; Probation DELIUS and Police NICHE systems

Provide training or talks to internal staff or external organisations as required

Support volunteers in the delivery of DDAS

Take up DDAS’ arrangements for support and supervision and participate in all relevant internal meetings

Co-operate with requests from DDAS management and administration

Undertake other reasonable duties as requested, but which may not be specified within the job description

The post will involve some evening and weekend working on the police station custody arrest referral rota. In consultation with the post holder, this job description is liable to variation to reflect actual, contemplated or approved changes in / or to the job.