Outreach Support Worker – Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

At Change Grow Live, we're driven by the belief that we can truly impact the lives of our service users. We offer a safe, supportive environment, honoring each individual and working collaboratively to identify the best treatment and care options. Our core values - 'Be open, be compassionate, and be bold' - guide us daily as we help people reshape their lives, grow as individuals, and embrace life to the fullest.

Join a passionate and forward-thinking outreach team dedicated to delivering compassionate, community-based support to people affected by drug and alcohol use in Renfrewshire.

As an Outreach Support Worker with Change Grow Live, you’ll work hands-on across a variety of community settings to provide harm reduction, early intervention, and psychosocial support — meeting people where they are, both literally and emotionally. You’ll help deliver life-saving interventions all while helping individuals access the care and support they need to improve their quality of life and move toward recovery.

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the Role:

• To support the provision of the service’s key activities; engagement, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, assessment and harm reduction.
• To support service users, under the guidance of Specialist Nurses, to access the full range of provision within the recovery orientated system of care, maximising benefits and recovery capital towards sustained recovery and community re-integration.
• To co-deliver support activities, interventions and community recovery capital by forming productive working relationships with external agencies the multi-disciplinary treatment team, peers and volunteers.
• To adhere to the implementation of all risk management procedures including child and adult protection protocols and guidelines taking personal responsibility for keeping up to date on the requirements of these procedures.
• To record all documentation and case notes to a high standard and within required time frames.
• To support all aspects of service delivery as necessary including responding to telephone and email queries.
• To demonstrate commitment to CGL’s visions, values and policy ensuring that they are understood and are embedded within service delivery and practice alongside national compliance with legal and national guidance (Care Inspectorate & SSSC).

About you:

Education Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience in providing a range of evidence-based treatment & support interventions within a Health and Social Care setting (through paid or voluntary work)
• Basic understanding and knowledge of the harmful effects associated with drugs and/or alcohol use in relation to health, social welfare, housing, employability and personal relationships.
• An understanding of models of recovery and wider community service provision in supporting recovery.
• Understanding principles of effective record keeping and administration processes.
• S/NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent level experience.
• Knowledge of local area preferable.

Abilities and Skills:

• Communicate confidently and effectively, in a variety of ways.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Show a capacity to work on your own initiative and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
• Effectively time manage and prioritise tasks both independently and as part of a team.
• Use data management systems for the effective recording of performance and service user data.
• Employ a mature, empathetic and non-judgmental attitude towards service users.
• Full UK drivers license preferable.

What we give to you:

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities

Are you a compassionate and motivated individual who wants to change people’s lives? Our team in Dumfries and Galloway are looking for an Access and Engagement Worker to join them in providing high-quality recovery care to a diverse client group. If you are enthusiastic, creative and passionate about helping others, we’d love to hear from you.

As the Access and Engagement Worker, you will act as a first point of contact for clients to ensure that they are able to access appropriate services and treatment efficiently and promptly. You will work as part of the service team and in close partnership with other health care professionals, partner agencies, service commissioners and internal clinical/mental health teams to ensure that clients receive prompt advice and treatment. As Access and Engagement Worker you will improve access to appropriate services for clients with substance misuse issues, developing pathways to ensure the service is as accessible as possible.

As a leading charity supporting people with drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, we operate over 80 services across England and Scotland, providing free and confidential support to more than 100,000 people each year.Find out more about us here.

We understand that many will have other commitments outside of work and so flexible working, part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.

About Us:

Glasgow Council on Alcohol (GCA) was founded in 1965 and is the oldest established Council on Alcohol in Scotland. GCA is a voluntary organisation working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse through the provision of a range of high quality advice, information, counselling, support, prevention and education and training services.

Our mission is to provide evidence-based support to individuals, communities and government to improve health and wellbeing across Scotland.

The foundation of GCA is our supportive and inclusive culture for all who engage and work with us.

GCA deliver services over 6 days per week and throughout Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

About the Role:

The LGBTQI+ Wellbeing Service delivers a trauma informed and person centred blend of 121 support, groupwork and counselling to individuals not only from our head office but also within community settings. The service has an established referral pathways and works closely with partners within the LGBTQI+ community to promote the service. It has been widely acknowledged that the LGBTQI+ community experience health and wellbeing inequalities and this service aims to address these inequalities.

The Wellbeing Support Worker reports to the Services Manager – Wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering effective 121 interventions for individuals at risk to reduce social exclusion and enhance health and wellbeing. This involves supporting individuals, using outcome focused care planning tools, to set goals and enhance focus, structure and routine.
• Assist the Services Manager - Wellbeing to develop and deliver group work programmes and recovery focused initiatives in consultation with GCA colleagues and service users.
• Achieve the outputs and outcomes outlined in the service specification.
• Establish and maintain constructive joint working relationships with other service providers and key partners, as indicated by successful cross referrals and positive feedback from service providers and partners.
• Routinely and systematically engage clients in planning and delivering improvements in services.
• Manage key worker responsibilities for a caseload of service users.
• Liaise with other agencies as appropriate in relation to individual clients and their needs.
• Maintain case records and other records in accordance with the project funder’s guidelines, procedures and protocols and GCA guidelines and procedures.
• Work to deadlines and ensure reports are up to date for the Services Manager – Wellbeing.
• Work as part of the team and contribute to its development.
• Keep up-to-date with current thinking and best practice in the trauma, alcohol and drug fields and apply this to the development of the service.
• Answer telephone and written enquiries and provide information and advice in accordance with GCA guidelines, procedures and protocols.
• Carry out any other duties that the Service Manager – Wellbeing may reasonably request.

Qualifications and Experience :

• SVQ 2 Social Services and Healthcare Training qualification is desirable but candidates who demonstrate relevant skills and experience will be considered
• Working in a community setting
• Working with the LGBTQ+ Community
• Issues around social care
• Developing and delivering group work programmes
• Working in the addictions field

Skills and Competencies:

• Developing relevant resources
• Record Keeping and Data Protection
• Understanding of the Social model of health
• Understanding of a Trauma-informed approach
• Motivational Interviewing Skills
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction
• Understanding of Mental Health

Why Join Us?

• Your work will contribute to make a real difference to people’s lives.
• Competitive salary and benefits package:
  • Very generous annual leave entitlement: full time employees start with an
  • annual leave entitlement of 37 days (inclusive of 12 bank holidays) which increases with length of service.
  • Duvet days where employees may take time off at short notice.
  • Death in service policy.
  • Cycle to work scheme where employees can save money on a new bike and spread the cost.
  • And much more!
• Opportunities for continuous learning and career development.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment where your contributions are valued

Working pattern – 5:30pm to 9:00pm Monday, 1:30pm to 9:00pm Wednesday, 9:00am to 5:00pm Thursday and 10:00am to 6:00pm Friday.

We understand that many will have other commitments outside of work and so flexible working, part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.

About Us:

Glasgow Council on Alcohol (GCA) was founded in 1965 and is the oldest established Council on Alcohol in Scotland. GCA is a voluntary organisation working to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse through the provision of a range of high quality advice, information, counselling, support, prevention and education and training services.

Our mission is to provide evidence-based support to individuals, communities and government to improve health and wellbeing across Scotland.

The foundation of GCA is our supportive and inclusive culture for all who engage and work with us.

GCA deliver services over 6 days per week and throughout Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

About the Role:

To provide an alcohol counselling, advice and information service for individuals aged 16 and over with problematic alcohol use or affected by other people’s problematic alcohol use. The service will be provided from North Claremont Street Office and community settings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to GCA meeting the national waiting times target for addiction services of referral to treatment in three weeks or less.
• Provide high quality alcohol assessments and counselling to individuals.
• Ensure all paperwork is completed accurately and professionally and work with the admin team to ensure the database is kept accurate and up to date.
• Expand GCA’s counselling service in local communities.
• Provide alcohol assessments to individuals and help them to identify and prioritise their goals.
• Provide a high-quality counselling, advice and information service in North Claremont Street Office and in community settings.
• Carry out regular reviews of client progress to ensure the effectiveness of the counselling process and signpost/refer individuals to other services as appropriate.
• Support volunteer counsellors with any queries they may have.
• Adhere to the ethical frameworks of an appropriate governing body (e.g. COSCA).
• Attend regular practice supervision and line management meetings and participate in appropriate meetings and training opportunities.
• Keep informed about developments in the counselling and alcohol fields.
• Write Case Studies of counselling clients for reports and training.
• Contribute to the daily running of North Claremont Street Office by answering the telephone in a professional manner, taking referrals for services and messages for colleagues, covering scheduled appointments if required and seeing clients who dropin to the service.
• Work as a team with colleagues from all departments of GCA to the benefit of clients.
• Understand Health and Safety responsibilities.
• Carry out any other duties that the Service Manager – Counselling may reasonably request.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced Alcohol Training Essential
• Diploma in Counselling Essential
• Minimum 150 hours (post qualified) supervised client practice Desirable
• Practice Supervision Qualification Desirable
• Experience of working in the addictions field and counselling adults with problematic alcohol use Desirable
• Experience of inter-agency working and working in community settings Desirable
• Report writing report writing Desirable
• Knowledge of issues faced by adults with problematic alcohol use and harm reduction approach to alcohol issues with an enthusiasm for working in the alcohol field Essential

Skills and Competencies:

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to empathise with a broad range of individuals and experiences
• Planning, co-ordination skills and time management skills
• Good administrative and IT skills
• Ability to maintain resilience and capacity whilst working complex client issues
• Commitment to working in line with GCA’s values of collaboration, respect and empathy
• Self-aware and self-directed positive approach.
• Ability to empower individuals to change with a non-judgemental approach

Why Join Us?

• Your work will contribute to make a real difference to people’s lives.
• Competitive salary and benefits package:
  • Very generous annual leave entitlement: full time employees start with an annual leave entitlement of 37 days (inclusive of 12 bank holidays) which increases with length of service.
  • Duvet days where employees may take time off at short notice.
  • Death in service policy.
  • Cycle to work scheme where employees can save money on a new bike and
  • spread the cost.
  • And much more!
• Opportunities for continuous learning and career development.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment where your contributions are valued.