Connections South Keyworker, Southern HSCT area (permanent)

Information on the experience and qualifications required for the post are outlined in the application pack. Interviews with successfully shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 08 and Wednesday 09 August 2017.

Salary: NJC Points 23 – 25 (£21,268 – £22,658)

Base: Start360 Lurgan office

Remit: Southern HSCT area

Probation: You will serve a probationary period of six months.  This may be extended if considered appropriate

Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

Background to the Project

The PHA has funded a Community Alcohol and Drugs Information and Networking Service in each HSCT locality, which acts as the operational arm of the local DACT.  Connections is open to the entire population of the HSCT area and delivered by Start360 in the Northern and Southern trust areas.

Keyworkers work closely with the PHA and local DACT to develop and deliver of an integrated education and prevention plan to raise awareness of the impact of drugs and alcohol locally.

The aims of Connections are summarised as follows:

•  Support existing and develop new initiatives that address alcohol and drug-related harm in urban and rural areas, including inter-agency/cross partnership working with relevant partners, including Policing and Community Safety Partnerships;
• Ensure that the Drug and Alcohol Monitoring Information System (DAMIS) is promoted and supported and that the Local Drugs and Alcohol and Community Incident Protocol is operated effectively when required;
• Advocate and promote adherence to existing legislation concerning regulation;
• Build capacity for those working and volunteering in the community sector, to ensure that they have access to relevant information/resources on alcohol and drugs and that they can then provide information, support and signposting to those affected by substance misuse in their communities;
• Use local media and social media, along with the PHA, service provider and partner websites, to raise awareness of local alcohol and drug services, issues, or concerns;
• Participate in the roll-out of regional initiatives/pieces of work with the other local Community Alcohol and Drugs Information and Networking Services; and
• Build on, or establish, links with existing local and community infrastructures.