Purpose of the Role:
The Transition Worker will provide specialist support to young people/young adults aged 17 years and 6 months to 25 years who are experiencing challenges relating to substance use and work with other professionals who are supporting the young people.
The role recognises that many young people within this age range do not fit easily into adult services due to their developmental stage, life experiences, vulnerabilities, and support needs. The Transition Worker will provide a bridge between young people’s services and adult provision, ensuring young people receive age-appropriate support during this critical period of transition into adulthood.
The post holder will provide structured, person-centred and trauma-informed interventions for up to six months, supporting young people to reduce harm, improve wellbeing, increase independence, access appropriate services, and achieve positive outcomes.
The service recognises that many young people/young adults may feel unable to engage with adult-focused groups and services due to their age, confidence, vulnerability, and life experiences. Therefore, the Transition Worker will provide safe, age-appropriate opportunities for young people to access peer support, develop life skills, and build resilience alongside others at a similar stage of life.
Principal Responsibilities:
- To assess the needs of young people/young adults aged 17½–25 and develop person-centred support plans that address substance use and wider social needs and liaise with other professionals to support the young person/young adult.
- To hold and manage a caseload of young people, providing structured support and interventions for up to six months.
- To provide information, advice, guidance and practical support that promotes positive decision-making, independence, recovery and resilience.
- To lease with professionals who are supporting young people/young adults and carry out multi agency working.
- To provide harm reduction and recovery-focused interventions relating to substance use and associated risk-taking behaviours.
- To recognise and respond appropriately to the vulnerabilities experienced by young people/young adults and adapt interventions to meet individual needs.
- To advocate on behalf of young people/young adults and support them to engage effectively with services and professionals.
- To establish and maintain effective working relationships with housing providers, substance misuse services, mental health services, social care, probation, education providers, employment services and other relevant agencies.
- To attend and actively contribute to professional meetings, multi-agency meetings and safeguarding meetings.
- To represent the views, wishes and aspirations of young people/young adults during multi-agency discussions.
- To facilitate smooth transitions into adult services where appropriate, ensuring referrals are completed and young people are supported to engage with ongoing services.
- To identify barriers to engagement with adult services and work creatively to support young people to overcome these barriers.
- To design, coordinate and deliver age-appropriate group programmes for young people/young adults aged 17½–25.
- To deliver group work focusing on substance use, harm reduction, recovery, emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, independent living skills, housing, employability, confidence building and transition into adulthood.
- To create safe, welcoming and inclusive group environments that encourage participation, peer support and social connection.
- To recognise that many young people/young adults may not feel comfortable attending adult treatment or recovery groups due to age-related vulnerabilities and differing support needs and therefore provide dedicated opportunities specifically for young adults.
- To work collaboratively with partner agencies to develop and deliver specialist workshops and group programmes that meet the needs of the transition age group.
- To identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and work in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
Special Notes or Conditions
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is a prerequisite of offer of employment.
Qualifications and Experience
- Detailed within the Person Specification.
What we offer:
- 27 days annual leave yearly which increases by 1 day every year to a maximum of 32 days after 5 of service PLUS bank holidays
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program
- Thorough line management and reflective practice programme
- Extensive and ongoing training
- Cycle to work scheme
About BDP:
Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) has been supporting the people of Bristol around their drug and alcohol for the past 40 years. We are committed to providing accessible and appropriate support for anyone who needs it and to reduce the harms caused by drugs and/or alcohol. Workers at BDP come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but all share a drive to make a difference in the lives of the people we work with.
Our Horizons Service:
Horizons is a brand new partnership that is delivering services to support people affected by drug and alcohol use in Bristol. We have partnered with Turning Point (who are lead provider) and seven other local and national providers: The Nelson Trust, Hawkspring, One 25, Southmead Development Trust, Southmead Project, Wellspring Settlement, and Release. As a partnership we draw on the expertise of all of the organisations involved to create a service that best meets the unique needs of the people we support.
Pay: From £30,011.95 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
