Substance misuse outreach worker
Substance misuse outreach workers advise people with drug or alcohol problems and encourage them to get help from local support services.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you might work with individuals or groups to:
- find out what the situation is and support people to manage their own recovery
- help choose the best services for support
- help people access services like housing or benefits advice
- help people get to appointments or fill out forms
- give practical and emotional support to families
- write reports and keep confidential records
Working environment
You could work at an outreach centre, in the community or at a health centre.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior recover worker, volunteer co-ordinator or project team leader.
You could also specialise in working with a particular group like young people.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- knowledge of psychology
- customer service skills
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
You could do a part time college course to give you an understanding of substance misuse.
You could do a level 1 or 2 award in substance misuse awareness or a level 3 certificate in tackling substance misuse.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this route.
More Information
You could do a peer worker advanced apprenticeship or an early intervention practitioner higher apprenticeship.
You could also do an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship to get some of the skills and knowledge you need to become a substance misuse outreach worker.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could volunteer with a drug, alcohol or housing charity to build skills and get work experience.
You could also volunteer with a substance misuse organisation. You can find contact details for an organisation near you from Frank.
You could apply directly to an employer.
You'll need a good understanding of the issues people with substance misuse problems might face. You might also need experience in criminal justice, social care, youth work or counselling.
You could also apply if you have personal experience of addiction or dependency. Applications are usually welcome from people who have successfully come through treatment.
You can find out more about becoming a substance misuse outreach worker from Alcohol Change UK and With You.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.