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 people. The 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.
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.
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).
Closing Date: 18 September 2025
