Engagement and Outreach Worker – Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team

at  South Gloucestershire Council

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service provides preventative, targeted and treatment interventions to young people in South Gloucestershire. It is based within the Drugs, Alcohol & Sexual Health programme which is part of the Public Health and Wellbeing Division at South Gloucestershire Council.
In this exciting new role, you will have the opportunity to engage with those young people who would benefit from drug and alcohol support but are, for many reasons, less likely to approach services.
By delivering an outreach service across the authority and working in partnership with youth providers, you will make a difference by improving young people’s wellbeing and work with them towards reducing high-risk behaviours and mental health concerns.
You will work closely with our Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Specialists, delivering brief and targeted interventions, including drug and alcohol harm reduction and work in a trauma responsive way to holistically support young people, you will make a positive impact to their wellbeing and future.
This is for a limited term contract until 31 March 2026.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• Due to the nature of the role, you must be able to demonstrate strong relationship building skills with young people who find it difficult to engage.
• We require you to be GCSE qualified, grade C or above or equivalent relevant qualification.
• Although not essential, you may be NVQ3 qualified in a Social Care/Youth Work/Teaching or equivalent relevant qualification or be working towards an appropriate qualification related to the provision of services to children and young people.
• It is essential that you are trauma aware and always able to aspire to work in a trauma informed way.
• You will have relevant experience of working in a similar service area, with children, young people or families requiring additional support.
• It is key for you to have good IT experience to enable you to write reports, carry out risk assessments and deliver presentations.
• It is essential to demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice relating to children and young people’s services.
• You will be required to travel widely within the authority so you must either have a current driving licence and provide a car or have access to appropriate means of travel.
  We require regular evening work and occasional weekend work in this post.
  Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.

• You will regularly visit youth centres and other settings to talk to young people and other professionals to promote the message of reducing drug and alcohol harm.
• The role requires you to identify and engage young people who would benefit from drug and alcohol support but are, for many reasons, less likely to engage.
• Jointly with other professionals within South Gloucestershire, you will be conducting outreach sessions in areas that young people spend time in, such as recreational areas.
• You will work across South Gloucestershire visiting youth venues, parks, schools and homes for harm reduction and brief intervention work.
• In this role, you will deliver brief intervention packages on a one-to-one basis with children, young people and families, some of whom will have a range of problems and challenges.
• It will be your responsibility to ensure that records and reports are maintained in accordance with service guidelines.
• Daily, you will support young people to access ongoing 1:1 support with a Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Specialist when appropriate.
• You will deliver presentations/groups sessions to young people and groups of professionals.