Social Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor

Social Worker – Adult Social Care – Substance Misuse Team ()

Career grade: PO2 – PO3, £44,937 pa rising to £51,228 inc LW.
Employment: Permanent, full time.

The Substance Misuse Team works in close partnership with Lambeth Consortium, Drug and Alcohol Service based at Lorraine Hewitt House in Brixton. It is a multidisciplinary team of nurses, psychologists, addiction psychiatrists, drug and alcohol workers and social workers. The team provides support and advice to anyone over 18 with a drug or alcohol problem, including individual assessments, prescribing, psychological and counselling services, recovery groups, community and inpatient detox, rehabilitation services, abstinence‑based treatment and aftercare services.

The Social Work team also undertakes Care Act assessments for HMP Brixton and social work within the Homeless Hostels.

• Promote strength‑based practice and positive change, helping service users to gain independence, recover from addiction and manage risks of abuse and neglect.
• Make professional judgements within relevant legal and policy frameworks.
• Carry out assessments of needs for care and support, develop and implement care plans and review them.
• Conduct adult safeguarding enquiries, support related work, and develop safeguarding plans aligned with the wishes and circumstances of affected persons.

• Qualified social worker with experience in the substance misuse sector.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Familiarity with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Care Act 2014.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and to manage 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9am‑5pm or as required).
• Ready to receive supervision from the practitioner manager.

Lambeth Council is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and Living Wage Employer, committed to safer recruitment and equal opportunities for all.