Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Young Persons Worker (YPS) – Drug and Alcohol

The closing date is 18 September 2025

Job summary

The YPS will work with young people aged 21 years and under. They will provide assessment, risk management and a range of interventions to YP with hazardous, harmful and dependent drug and alcohol problems in the Hillingdon Borough. They will liaise closely with the Hillingdon Drug and Alcohol Service and other professionals working with young peopleThe YPS will also provide support and training to other professionals working with YP to nursing and medical staff.

Main duties of the job

To provide comprehensive assessment of YP referred to the service. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client's care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration.

To counsel YP about their substance use, using motivational interviewing, relapse management and other evidence-based interventions.

To develop group interventions and outreach programmes for Young People.

To participate in the provision of drug and alcohol teaching and training for staff working with young people in Hillingdon.

To represent the YP service on both internal and external clinical and strategic planning forums and to role model a professional and leadership style.

To provide periodic information on service/unit performance as requested by the Sector Manager.

About us

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,485 to £52,521 a year pa inc HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-AD-0555

Job locations

ARCH

64 High St

Uxbridge

UB8 1JP


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical: To provide comprehensive assessment of YP referred to the service. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration. Assessments will require testing of bodily fluids, and therefore direct contact with urine and / or saliva. It will also include dry blood spot testing To participate in the Needle Exchange program when required. To assess the psychological, emotional, social and treatment needs of the YP, taking account of the needs of the family and local community. To provide a range of interventions to clients including personalised feedback, advice and information with the aim of eliciting change. To provide specialist clinical advice and support to staff on the management of YP with Addictions problems, including A&E. To make appropriate referral to statutory and non-statutory agencies for longer term interventions such as detox, counselling, psychology, family therapy etc. To ensure full risk assessments are carried out and risk management is delivered effectively. To assess physiological &/or psychological functioning and when there are complex needs and/or high risks and to manage effectively. To counsel YP about their substance use, using motivational interviewing, relapse management and other evidence-based interventions. To develop group interventions and outreach programmes for Young People. To support YP to transition from YP services to other appropriate services and support to ETE.Training and Support: To participate in the provision of drug and alcohol teaching and training for staff working with young people in Hillingdon. To act as a resource on drug/alcohol problems and their impact. To encourage and facilitate hospital staff in developing skills and knowledge of appropriate interventions for clients with alcohol problems. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines. To provide training and support in schools & YP services.Management and Leadership: To contribute to the development of a culture of risk assessment and management to be delivered effectively within own sphere of responsibility and practice. To represent the YP service on both internal and external clinical and strategic planning forums and to role model a professional and leadership style. To provide clinical advice and support to other colleagues within the health care setting and to other agencies concerned with substance misuse. To be responsible for the safe and effective storage and administration of drugs, exercising responsibility for the custody and maintenance of statutory records of such drugs in accordance with the Trust Policies/Procedures on the supply and carriage of drugs in the community To ensure an understanding and implementation of clinical governance.Communication: To participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings/case discussions both in the hospital and with community services. To record assessment findings in clients case notes. To provide verbal and/or written feedback to referrers. To liaise and communicate clinical information with partner agencies within the strict guideline/ protocol on shared confidential information between Addictions/hospital and the named partner agencies. To attend service wide meetings as team representative when required. To attend and participate in external satellite/groups as appropriate. Contribute to the promotion of team cohesiveness, multidisciplinary working and at all times work collaboratively with colleagues in all parts to achieve healthy and effective communication. To work collaboratively in developing professional links with other statutory and voluntary service providers. To ensure the service/unit is represented in a professional manner at all times. To work as a member of the multidisciplinary Team and to liaise with other staff members of the local services. To provide specialist advice, when required, on drug/alcohol addiction to other colleagues in relation to the assessment, treatment planning and implementation of interventions to substance misusing clients. To be able to use word processing and electronic monitoring of data-based system, for which training would be available, if needed. To maintain accurate and up to date documentation of all service clients records, , ensuring the confidentiality of such records of information are in line with the Data Protection Act and Information Sharing Protocol. To ensure that service administration systems are followed including NDTMS.Personal and Professional Development: To be responsible for maintaining professional registration where appropriate, ensuring personal professional profile requirements are met. To be directly accountable for own professional practice and to operate in line with code of professional conduct in relation to policies on direct patient care. To undertake Operational and Strategic Line Management Supervision To undertake Professional/Clinical Supervision as stated in the CNWL Supervision Policy on own clinical work and professional development plan. To complete the CNWL annual appraisal/review process and personal development plans/objectives. To identify training needs as part of the annual appraisal/review process and complete evaluation of training events and courses attended. To participate in training initiatives as required both within the Sector and the wider professional community. To keep up to date on evidence and practice in relation to dual diagnosis and case management of drug/alcohol users with mental health problems. To ensure all staff you hold responsibility for, receives appropriate line management and clinical supervision in line with Trust and recommendations, participate in services appraisal system and have up to date Personal Development Plans. To plan and implement training and skills development initiatives for staff you are responsible for.Policy and/or Service Development: To provide periodic information on service/unit performance as requested by the Sector Manager. To ensure that all Trust policies and procedures, including Serious Incident policy are fully implemented and complied with. To be directly accountable and responsible for own professional practice and to operate in line with Code of Professional Conduct in relation to rules, regulations and policies on direct patient care. To contribute to the development/evaluation of clinical policies and procedures for submission/approval by the Clinical Governance Group. To ensure a high quality of service is delivered by following local and national quality and performance standards, guidance, protocols, procedures and practice guidelines. To participate in service reviews and contribute to the production of the annual review and report. To have a clear understanding of the National Service Frameworks for drug and alcohol problems and its application and implementation.Management of Resources: To be responsible for the effective management of own workload and to keep records of economical use of time and resources, daily travel logs, diary appointments and workload priorities. To adhere to AOCD service data recording policies as well as gathering additional information relevant to the study. To be responsible for ensuring monthly contract and other data reporting activities are submitted within agreed timescales. To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of clinical records on clients, ensuring confidentiality is not breached and disclosed only with clients consent and on a need to know basis. To be responsible for use of resources allocated for the purpose of the post. To demonstrate responsible time management.Research and Development: To participate in and plan clinical/service audits, ensuring these meet recommended standards. To contribute to clinical audits to ensure that audit/service evaluation findings are implemented. To contribute to the development of an evidence based culture to the work as a whole, using self-reflection and continuously appraising own performance and evaluation of clinical input and to make these outcomes known to the Line Manager. To attend research presentations and take an active part in the team/service teaching programmes. To contribute or lead, research or service evaluations as agreed with management. To take part in clinical and consumer audit and implement resulting recommendations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical: To provide comprehensive assessment of YP referred to the service. This may include using motivational interviewing techniques, self-report measures, risk assessment, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care. Assessments will involve making judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, as well as requiring prolonged concentration. Assessments will require testing of bodily fluids, and therefore direct contact with urine and / or saliva. It will also include dry blood spot testing To participate in the Needle Exchange program when required. To assess the psychological, emotional, social and treatment needs of the YP, taking account of the needs of the family and local community. To provide a range of interventions to clients including personalised feedback, advice and information with the aim of eliciting change. To provide specialist clinical advice and support to staff on the management of YP with Addictions problems, including A&E. To make appropriate referral to statutory and non-statutory agencies for longer term interventions such as detox, counselling, psychology, family therapy etc. To ensure full risk assessments are carried out and risk management is delivered effectively. To assess physiological &/or psychological functioning and when there are complex needs and/or high risks and to manage effectively. To counsel YP about their substance use, using motivational interviewing, relapse management and other evidence-based interventions. To develop group interventions and outreach programmes for Young People. To support YP to transition from YP services to other appropriate services and support to ETE.Training and Support: To participate in the provision of drug and alcohol teaching and training for staff working with young people in Hillingdon. To act as a resource on drug/alcohol problems and their impact. To encourage and facilitate hospital staff in developing skills and knowledge of appropriate interventions for clients with alcohol problems. To receive regular clinical supervision in accordance with professional practice guidelines. To provide training and support in schools & YP services.Management and Leadership: To contribute to the development of a culture of risk assessment and management to be delivered effectively within own sphere of responsibility and practice. To represent the YP service on both internal and external clinical and strategic planning forums and to role model a professional and leadership style. To provide clinical advice and support to other colleagues within the health care setting and to other agencies concerned with substance misuse. To be responsible for the safe and effective storage and administration of drugs, exercising responsibility for the custody and maintenance of statutory records of such drugs in accordance with the Trust Policies/Procedures on the supply and carriage of drugs in the community To ensure an understanding and implementation of clinical governance.Communication: To participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings/case discussions both in the hospital and with community services. To record assessment findings in clients case notes. To provide verbal and/or written feedback to referrers. To liaise and communicate clinical information with partner agencies within the strict guideline/ protocol on shared confidential information between Addictions/hospital and the named partner agencies. To attend service wide meetings as team representative when required. To attend and participate in external satellite/groups as appropriate. Contribute to the promotion of team cohesiveness, multidisciplinary working and at all times work collaboratively with colleagues in all parts to achieve healthy and effective communication. To work collaboratively in developing professional links with other statutory and voluntary service providers. To ensure the service/unit is represented in a professional manner at all times. To work as a member of the multidisciplinary Team and to liaise with other staff members of the local services. To provide specialist advice, when required, on drug/alcohol addiction to other colleagues in relation to the assessment, treatment planning and implementation of interventions to substance misusing clients. To be able to use word processing and electronic monitoring of data-based system, for which training would be available, if needed. To maintain accurate and up to date documentation of all service clients records, , ensuring the confidentiality of such records of information are in line with the Data Protection Act and Information Sharing Protocol. To ensure that service administration systems are followed including NDTMS.Personal and Professional Development: To be responsible for maintaining professional registration where appropriate, ensuring personal professional profile requirements are met. To be directly accountable for own professional practice and to operate in line with code of professional conduct in relation to policies on direct patient care. To undertake Operational and Strategic Line Management Supervision To undertake Professional/Clinical Supervision as stated in the CNWL Supervision Policy on own clinical work and professional development plan. To complete the CNWL annual appraisal/review process and personal development plans/objectives. To identify training needs as part of the annual appraisal/review process and complete evaluation of training events and courses attended. To participate in training initiatives as required both within the Sector and the wider professional community. To keep up to date on evidence and practice in relation to dual diagnosis and case management of drug/alcohol users with mental health problems. To ensure all staff you hold responsibility for, receives appropriate line management and clinical supervision in line with Trust and recommendations, participate in services appraisal system and have up to date Personal Development Plans. To plan and implement training and skills development initiatives for staff you are responsible for.Policy and/or Service Development: To provide periodic information on service/unit performance as requested by the Sector Manager. To ensure that all Trust policies and procedures, including Serious Incident policy are fully implemented and complied with. To be directly accountable and responsible for own professional practice and to operate in line with Code of Professional Conduct in relation to rules, regulations and policies on direct patient care. To contribute to the development/evaluation of clinical policies and procedures for submission/approval by the Clinical Governance Group. To ensure a high quality of service is delivered by following local and national quality and performance standards, guidance, protocols, procedures and practice guidelines. To participate in service reviews and contribute to the production of the annual review and report. To have a clear understanding of the National Service Frameworks for drug and alcohol problems and its application and implementation.Management of Resources: To be responsible for the effective management of own workload and to keep records of economical use of time and resources, daily travel logs, diary appointments and workload priorities. To adhere to AOCD service data recording policies as well as gathering additional information relevant to the study. To be responsible for ensuring monthly contract and other data reporting activities are submitted within agreed timescales. To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of clinical records on clients, ensuring confidentiality is not breached and disclosed only with clients consent and on a need to know basis. To be responsible for use of resources allocated for the purpose of the post. To demonstrate responsible time management.Research and Development: To participate in and plan clinical/service audits, ensuring these meet recommended standards. To contribute to clinical audits to ensure that audit/service evaluation findings are implemented. To contribute to the development of an evidence based culture to the work as a whole, using self-reflection and continuously appraising own performance and evaluation of clinical input and to make these outcomes known to the Line Manager. To attend research presentations and take an active part in the team/service teaching programmes. To contribute or lead, research or service evaluations as agreed with management. To take part in clinical and consumer audit and implement resulting recommendations.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Registration, NMC, HPC or psychology graduate
  • Evidence of continuing personal development and post-registration training in the assessment and treatment substance misuse clients.

Desirable

  • Diploma in Drugs and Alcohol Studies or equivalent qualification
  • Training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Completed the Motivational Interviewing Training Module
  • BBV Training

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Post-registration experience in Mental Health/working with clients with addictions problems.
  • Assessing risky health behaviour
  • Experience of teaching others and willingness to undertake Teaching

Desirable

  • Community Experience
  • Experience of working in and delivering services to drug users.
  • Research experience.
  • Knowledge of Patient Information Systems
  • Experience of working with young people
  • Group skills

Skills and knowledge

Essential

  • Sound clinical knowledge and understanding of current NHS policies and national drug/alcohol issues/policies.
  • Brief intervention skills
  • Sound knowledge of drug/alcohol withdrawal management
  • Good verbal, written and presentation skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills in order to communicate and negotiate effectively, both inside and outside the Trust.
  • Ability to work independently and to prioritise effectively
  • Ability to work within a harm minimisation model
  • Ability to assess and treat people with dual diagnosis
  • Motivational Interviewing skills / Relapse Management skills
  • Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person.
  • Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
  • IT literate, use of Microsoft Word, Excel and skills in relation to reporting of clinical activity data.

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristic s

Essential

  • Committed to multidisciplinary team work
  • Committed to User involvement
  • Flexible & responsive to a developing service. The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal and Diversity policy at a level appropriate to the job
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Registration, NMC, HPC or psychology graduate
  • Evidence of continuing personal development and post-registration training in the assessment and treatment substance misuse clients.

Desirable

  • Diploma in Drugs and Alcohol Studies or equivalent qualification
  • Training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Completed the Motivational Interviewing Training Module
  • BBV Training

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Post-registration experience in Mental Health/working with clients with addictions problems.
  • Assessing risky health behaviour
  • Experience of teaching others and willingness to undertake Teaching

Desirable

  • Community Experience
  • Experience of working in and delivering services to drug users.
  • Research experience.
  • Knowledge of Patient Information Systems
  • Experience of working with young people
  • Group skills

Skills and knowledge

Essential

  • Sound clinical knowledge and understanding of current NHS policies and national drug/alcohol issues/policies.
  • Brief intervention skills
  • Sound knowledge of drug/alcohol withdrawal management
  • Good verbal, written and presentation skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills in order to communicate and negotiate effectively, both inside and outside the Trust.
  • Ability to work independently and to prioritise effectively
  • Ability to work within a harm minimisation model
  • Ability to assess and treat people with dual diagnosis
  • Motivational Interviewing skills / Relapse Management skills
  • Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person.
  • Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
  • IT literate, use of Microsoft Word, Excel and skills in relation to reporting of clinical activity data.

Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristic s

Essential

  • Committed to multidisciplinary team work
  • Committed to User involvement
  • Flexible & responsive to a developing service. The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal and Diversity policy at a level appropriate to the job

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

ARCH

64 High St

Uxbridge

UB8 1JP


Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

ARCH

64 High St

Uxbridge

UB8 1JP


Employer's website

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Sector Manager

Asha Faldu

a.faldu@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,485 to £52,521 a year pa inc HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

333-D-AD-0555

Job locations

ARCH

64 High St

Uxbridge

UB8 1JP


Supporting documents

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