Harm Reduction Support Worker
Reports to:
Service Manager
Location:
Galway
Contract Details:
2 Year Fixed Term Contract, 37 hours per week
Salary Details:
HSE Social Care Worker 01/03/2023 salary scale €36,195 – €51,941
What we Offer:

• 25 Days Annual Leave
• Employee Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Education Assistance Program – financial support for upskilling/qualifications
• Death in Service benefit – 2 times basic annual salary
• Occupational Sick Leave Policy

Job Purpose:
The Harm Reduction Support Worker offers psychosocial therapeutic support to clients wishing to access addiction support services.
Duties and Responsibilities
§ To work within a Dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team
§ To play a key role within a pilot initiative to develop a pre-entry programme for clients who are considering residential addiction Treatment Services, particularly Coolmine
§ To offer tailored one-to-one support in the areas of mental health, substance use, overdose, prevention, violence, self-harm, suicidality and sexual and emotional trauma
§ To co-develop and co-facilitate groups to provide support and psychoeducation to clients, appropriate to their needs and strengths
§ To work using a trauma informed, strengths-based approach/CRA/ MI
§ To deal with difficult or problematic situations in a sensitive manner and within the framework of the organisation’s policies and procedures
§ To ensure that clients are consulted with and involved in the operation of the service to the greatest practical extent
§ To be accessible and responsive to clients’ questions, concerns and requests for information
§ To maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agencies
§ To facilitate clients to access local services such as medical, therapeutic, welfare, training, education and employment and to advocate on their behalf
§ To work on an Outreach basis as and when appropriate.
Administration
§ To maintain all recording systems as directed
§ To ensure that all communication and administrative policies and procedures are followed
§ To prepare reports, statistics and other information as required
Training
§ To attend and participate in training courses as required
§ To identify areas of future training need
General
§ To represent Galway Simon Community at meetings, conferences, seminars and other events
§ To project a positive image of the Simon Community at all times
§ To maintain confidentiality on all matters relating to staff, volunteers, clients, ex clients and general Galway Simon Community Business
§ To be aware of and adhere to all Galway Simon Community Policies and Procedures currently in operation
§ To facilitate effective team work and maintain good channels of communication
§ To attend training, meetings, case conferences and external meetings as appropriate
§ To work at other locations as and when required
§ To work in line with best practice and in accordance with the policies and procedures of Galway Simon Community
§ To be accountable for your workload to the Service Manager
§ Any other duties as may be from time to time requested by management.
This Job Description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variation can be expected in particular duties, as the position evolves, the outline is considered to provide a reasonable general description of the position.
Person specification:
Essential
Education
· A recognised third level qualification (minimum Level 7) in social care, mental health nursing, psychology, addiction studies or a related field
Experience, Attributes, Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
· Two years’ experience of working with substance users, people experiencing poor mental health and/or other socially marginalised groups including homelessness
· A thorough knowledge of and a commitment to working in the area of psychosocial support
· Knowledge and experience of working with people experiencing a Dual Diagnosis/ Co-occurring issues
· A commitment to working in a low threshold setting and an ability to treat the client group in a non-judgmental and respectful way
· Have a knowledge of child protection and safe-guarding vulnerable adults’ policies
· An ability to work from own initiative within a challenging, ever changing environment
· Strong interpersonal, leadership, teamwork and conflict resolution skills
· Excellent knowledge of relevant local services, especially in the areas of mental health and addiction
· Experience of effective interagency work
· Strong interpersonal and group facilitation skills
· An excellent ability to communicate verbally and in writing with a wide variety of people
· Competent I.T. skills
· An ability to understand, prevent, manage and respond to challenging behaviour

• Have a valid and full clean driver’s licence; access to own vehicle for work-related purposes and be able to obtain insurance to indemnify Galway Simon and carry passengers in relation to work-related duties.

To apply:
Applicants should submit a CV to jobs@galwaysimon.ie, by 5pm on closing date on 1st September 2024
If you have any questions in relation to this position, please contact the HR department via email jobs@galwaysimon.ie
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term
Contract length: 24 months
Pay: €36,195.00-€51,941.00 per year
Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Company pension
• Employee assistance program
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Galway, CO. Galway: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• Do you have 2 years experience working with substance users , those with poor mental health and/or other socially marginalised groups including homelessness?
• Do you have thorough knowledge of and a commitment to working in the area of psychosocial support?
• Do you have knowledge and experience of working with people experiencing a Dual Diagnosis/ Co-occurring issues?
• Do you have experience of effective interagency work?
• Do you have experience of understanding, preventing, managing and responding to challenging behaviour?

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence and access to own vehicle for work purposes (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (preferred)

Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 01/09/2024