Job summary
We are recruiting an experienced Dual Diagnosis Practitioner to support staff in our Lambeth South-West Focussed Support Team in the South-West Living Well Centre in Streatham. This is part of an exciting new development to improve collaborative working across the system, the role will contribute to the expansion of community mental health services as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.
Focussed Support service offer medium to longer term mental health care to residents in the Borough of Lambeth aged 18 and over regardless of diagnosis using the Care Programme Approach. We are a part of the Lambeth Alliance, and we have a close interface with a variety of SLaM services, other statutory organisations (inc. social care) and voluntary sector.
The Lambeth Living Well Network (LWN) Alliance brings together Certitude, Lambeth Clinical Commissioning Group, Lambeth Council, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Thames Reach organisations to deliver an innovative way of providing mental health support for those who need it in the Lambeth Borough; a fully integrated and coordinated mental health system which focuses on people's strengths and supports their whole health and wellbeing.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a dual diagnosis specialist, offering support and advice to Living Well Centre and other teams to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in working with people who present with co-morbid mental health and substance misuse problems. They will promote understanding of the effect that substance use can have on community support/treatment such as in engagement and risks to physical health. The post holder will work jointly around assessment, treatment, management and evaluation of support for people who present with dual diagnosis issues.
The post holder will promote the assessment of individuals who have co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues; linking people into appropriate support services; and case manage people with asevere and enduring mental illness. The post holder will encourage a person-centred and strengths-based approach to support. They will provide support to people in line with the clinical pathways and best practice within the LWNA and substance misuse services This will include motivational interventions to enable people to engage with services and encourage change behaviour.
The post holder will be expected to develop and retain wide ranging knowledge of local provision to ensure that options and alternatives to adult mental health services can be communicated to people who do notmeet service thresholds, their families, and professionals providing support.
About us
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close-knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer
Some of our benefits are highlighted here:
- Generous pay, pensions and leave,we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
- Work life balance,flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
- Career development,there are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
- Car lease,our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars
- Accommodation,our staff benefits fromkeyworker housing available which is available on selected sites
- NHS discounts,with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.
Other benefits include:
- Counselling services
- Wellbeing events
- Long service awards
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Childcare vouchers
- Staff restaurants
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
Actively work with substance misuse, Living Well Centre and other teams. This will include in-reaching to supported housing/care home providers to prevent placement breakdown. Provide support and teaching to promote integrated working between substance misuse, mental health and other services
Ensure that the LWNAs statutory responsibilities and policies/procedures are carried out in relation to individuals on the caseload, their families and carers
Provide evidence-based practice to people with dual diagnosis needs and offer clinical input to Living Well Centre teams and external colleagues
Participate in the development and implementation of a local dual diagnosis forum and joint working arrangements between local mental health and addiction teams
To attend and participate at the Lambeth Dual Diagnosis Leads Development events.
Undertake joint holistic assessments and risk assessments to help determine service and support needs and identify where these needs can be met
To undertake time-limited treatment specific work with people whose care is co-ordinated by other members of staff in LWNA teams and consider referrals to addiction services for people who are ready to make changes to their substance use
Positively promote and support connections with local communities through developing and maintaining extensive knowledge and links within Lambeth and wider areas and actively support people to access these resources, including digital resources
Work within an integrated, multi- disciplinary environment and co-work with other teams and professions within team meetings, case conferences and professionals meetings
These new posts would suit individuals who are committed to collaborative working to improve outcomes for people with mental health issues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
Actively work with substance misuse, Living Well Centre and other teams. This will include in-reaching to supported housing/care home providers to prevent placement breakdown. Provide support and teaching to promote integrated working between substance misuse, mental health and other services
Ensure that the LWNAs statutory responsibilities and policies/procedures are carried out in relation to individuals on the caseload, their families and carers
Provide evidence-based practice to people with dual diagnosis needs and offer clinical input to Living Well Centre teams and external colleagues
Participate in the development and implementation of a local dual diagnosis forum and joint working arrangements between local mental health and addiction teams
To attend and participate at the Lambeth Dual Diagnosis Leads Development events.
Undertake joint holistic assessments and risk assessments to help determine service and support needs and identify where these needs can be met
To undertake time-limited treatment specific work with people whose care is co-ordinated by other members of staff in LWNA teams and consider referrals to addiction services for people who are ready to make changes to their substance use
Positively promote and support connections with local communities through developing and maintaining extensive knowledge and links within Lambeth and wider areas and actively support people to access these resources, including digital resources
Work within an integrated, multi- disciplinary environment and co-work with other teams and professions within team meetings, case conferences and professionals meetings
These new posts would suit individuals who are committed to collaborative working to improve outcomes for people with mental health issues.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or degree in relevant clinical subject e.g. RMN, OT, Social Work Current professional registration in relevant clinical subject/practice e.g. RMN, OT, Social Work England
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- A qualification or training in a relevant area of practice eg. dual diagnosis, substance misuse, motivational interviewing, trauma informed practice, cognitive behavioural therapy
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people who misuse substances
- Experience of assessing the needs and strengths of people with mental illness and their families and holding a caseload of people with complex needs
- Experience of adult safeguarding and protection
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with: - a history of trauma - personality disorder - traumatic brain injury - physical health problems - history of rough sleeping
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of the interactions between mental health problems and drug and alcohol use and the issues facing people trying to stabilise their situation
- Current and up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to the client group eg DoH, PHE, NICE, MHA, Care Act, MCA
- Applied knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management particularly in relation to harm minimisation
- Cultural awareness and knowledge of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice in assessment and provision of service
Desirable
- Ability to engage service users who are hard to reach
Other
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from differing backgrounds
- Commitment to service user empowerment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or degree in relevant clinical subject e.g. RMN, OT, Social Work Current professional registration in relevant clinical subject/practice e.g. RMN, OT, Social Work England
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- A qualification or training in a relevant area of practice eg. dual diagnosis, substance misuse, motivational interviewing, trauma informed practice, cognitive behavioural therapy
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people who misuse substances
- Experience of assessing the needs and strengths of people with mental illness and their families and holding a caseload of people with complex needs
- Experience of adult safeguarding and protection
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with: - a history of trauma - personality disorder - traumatic brain injury - physical health problems - history of rough sleeping
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of the interactions between mental health problems and drug and alcohol use and the issues facing people trying to stabilise their situation
- Current and up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to the client group eg DoH, PHE, NICE, MHA, Care Act, MCA
- Applied knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management particularly in relation to harm minimisation
- Cultural awareness and knowledge of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice in assessment and provision of service
Desirable
- Ability to engage service users who are hard to reach
Other
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from differing backgrounds
- Commitment to service user empowerment
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Lambeth South-West Living Well Centre
2-8 Gracefield Gardens
London
SW16 2ST
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)