Psychology Led Practitioner

About GDAS

The Gwent Drug and Alcohol service provides support to individuals and families affected by substance use across all 5 local authorities. As part of our service re-launch, we are recruiting for new roles across the service that align with the vision of the Gwent APB Substance Misuse Commissioning Team.

We are seeking empathic and dedicated individuals with experiences from a range of sectors to join us in establishing a new, innovative drug and alcohol treatment service. We welcome people with experience of working not just in substance misuse - but in housing, mental health, primary care, secondary care, youth services, probation and other sectors that have transferable skills. We welcome individuals with their own lived experience of drug and alcohol use and/or mental health and from those who have supported others with lived experience.

GDAS Values

GDAS is delivered in consortium with 3 of Wales main substance misuse providers; Kaleidoscope, Barod and G4S.

The uniqueness of our shared experience is reflected in the following aims for the life of the new contract for the benefit of Gwent communities:

• To share our individual specialisms and best practice to enhance our integrated service delivery

• To commit to and drive innovation in order to ensure we are constantly improving our treatment offer

• To embrace a culture of candour, using lessons learnt as an opportunity to reflect on and improve our systems

• To embrace the principles of the Healthier Wales Strategy, collaborating with our social care partners and service users to create a seamless whole system approach that focuses on improving health and wellbeing

• To recognise and respond to the movement of individuals across open access and criminal justice pathways by using our knowledge of both Gwent and national criminal justice strategic direction and priorities

Role Profile & Responsibilities

Role Purpose:

GDAS Values

GDAS is delivered in consortium with 3 of Wales main substance misuse providers; Kaleidoscope, Barod and G4S.

The uniqueness of our shared experience is reflected in the following aims for the life of the new contract for the benefit of Gwent communities:

• To share our individual specialisms and best practice to enhance our integrated service delivery

• To commit to and drive innovation in order to ensure we are constantly improving our treatment offer

• To embrace a culture of candour, using lessons learnt as an opportunity to reflect on and improve our systems

• To embrace the principles of the Healthier Wales Strategy, collaborating with our social care partners and service users to create a seamless whole system approach that focuses on improving health and wellbeing

• To recognise and respond to the movement of individuals across open access and criminal justice pathways by using our knowledge of both Gwent and national criminal justice strategic direction and priorities

• Provide specialist Psychology Led solutions as part of a whole service response that aims to meet the needs of our most complex clients

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Case Work

• Via 1:1 or group setting, deliver to open access service users: o Provide a bespoke range of Psychology Led assessments and interventions designed to support those with complex needs i.e. WAIS

o Conduct (with training) clinical assessment of mental health, and plan, develop, and deliver structured interventions around common mental health concerns

o Deliver Engagement services to drug and alcohol service users through provision of initial assessment, signposting and onwards referral.

o Deliver Active Treatment services to drug (High Intensity), and alcohol service users via comprehensive assessment and care coordination to ensure service users receive integrated care-planned treatment appropriate to their level of need and readiness to change.

o Deliver detox and early aftercare services for drug and alcohol service users through detox preparation support, liaison and supporting Medically Assisted Recovery programmes, attending medical assessments and reviews with the GDAS medical team, linking with Tier 4 services, and liaison with GPs.

o Provide a suite of interventions, as part of a multi-disciplinary approach, for those with complex needs i.e. CBT, compassion focussed therapy, DBT, schema focussed therapy.

• Provide structured group work programmes and sessions.

• Liaise and signpost with external agencies including, but not limited to, specialist substance misuse services, mental health, sexual health, housing, debt and finance.

• Undertake risk assessment and development of risk management plans.

• Inspire and enthuse individuals to achieve and maintain positive lifestyles changes.

Harm Reduction Provision

• Deliver harm reduction services and advice, including provision of Prenoxad Training, Needle Exchange Programme (NEX) and Dry Blood Spot Testing (DBST).

• Provide duty cover

Compliance and Information Management

• Ensure compliance with internal case management systems and client records.

• Undertake appropriate monitoring, review and evaluation procedures.

• Adhere to host organisation and GDAS policies and procedures including safeguarding and boundaries.

• Undertake appropriate administrative tasks.

Networking and Awareness Raising

• Foster and sustain good working relationships with stakeholders, including local partners within the local authorities and the health board.

• Represent host organisation or GDAS in appropriate forums and groups.

• Deliver talks, workshops, presentations and provide training where appropriate.

Development & Training

• Engage in supervision with Chartered Forensic and Clinical Psychologists and Forensic Psychologists in training affiliated with the FPC.

• Act as a consultant for colleagues requiring psychology informed recommendations.

•Provide a lead role in an area related to the role i.e. safeguarding, needle exchange (full training will be provided)

• Engage in a range of tools and methods designed to support further development in practice, including, but not limited to, the GDAS Worker Development Tool, Supervision, Reflective Practice, and Group Supervisions.

• Commitment to Learning and Practice Plans, ensuring knowledge and training remain up to date.

Other

• Ensure sound joint working practice to deliver an integrated holistic care pathway by working as required with other GDAS disciplines and teams.

• Communicate host organisation and GDAS vision and deliver upon mission, corporate strategy and business plans.

• Take up arrangements for support and participate in all relevant internal meetings.

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

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £23,175.00-£25,235.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person