Young Persons Worker

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
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 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.
• 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 support YP to transition from YP services to other appropriate services and support to Employment Training and Education (ETE).

About us
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is one of the largest NHS providers of mental health, community health and substance misuse services in England. We are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that supports individuals, families and communities to achieve better health outcomes.

The Hillingdon Drug and Alcohol Service provides specialist support to children, young people and adults affected by substance misuse. We work collaboratively with a wide range of partner organisations, including schools, children's services, CAMHS, youth justice services and community organisations, to deliver holistic and responsive care.

As a Young Persons Worker, you will join a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing and life opportunities of young people across Hillingdon. We offer opportunities for professional development, clinical supervision and ongoing training within an organisation that values compassion, respect, empowerment and partnership.

Details
Closing date: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £36,943 to £44,900 a year per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 333-D-AD-0638

Job responsibilities
The Young Persons Worker will provide specialist assessment, intervention and care coordination for young people aged up to 21 years who are experiencing difficulties relating to drug and alcohol use.

The post holder will undertake comprehensive assessments, identify risks and strengths, and develop person-centred support plans that promote recovery, resilience and positive outcomes. Interventions will be delivered using evidence-based approaches and tailored to the individual needs of young people and their families.

Key responsibilities include:

• Undertaking specialist assessments of young people referred to the service, including risk assessments and care planning.
• Delivering a range of evidence-based interventions to support young people experiencing substance misuse difficulties.
• Providing advice, information and harm reduction interventions to young people and their families.
• Managing and reviewing a caseload, ensuring accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Working collaboratively with partner agencies including schools, CAMHS, children's services, youth offending services, social care and healthcare professionals.
• Participating in safeguarding processes and ensuring risks are appropriately identified, managed and escalated.
• Supporting young people to access education, training, employment and other community-based opportunities.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of group programmes, outreach initiatives and health promotion activities.
• Providing consultation, guidance and training to professionals working with young people across the borough.
• Contributing to service development, quality improvement initiatives and clinical governance activities.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across a range of settings, maintaining a strong commitment to collaborative working, safeguarding and improving outcomes for young people affected by substance misuse.

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

• Experience of assessing and supporting individuals affected by substance misuse and/or mental health difficulties
• 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.

Desirable

• Experience of working with other substance misuse problems
• Experience of group facilitation
• Experience of managing a caseload within the community
• Awareness/knowledge of research skills.
• Awareness of therapeutic models

Other
Essential

• Ability to maintain satisfactory attendance and perform the duties of the role in accordance with Trust policies, with reasonable adjustments where appropriate
• Ability to meet the requirements of the post, with consideration given to reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010

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.

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Uxbridge Health Centre (Entrance C - 1st Floor), Chippendale Waye, Uxbridge, UB8 1UB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work

For questions about the job, contact: Sector Manager Asha Faldu, a.faldu@nhs.net, 01895474210