Overdose Prevention Co-ordinator - Leeds - ref. y64290215

Job overview

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of those affected by substance use? Do you have experience in the field and a commitment to harm reduction? If so, we want you to join our dynamic team at Forward Leeds!

We are looking for an Overdose Prevention Co-ordinator who will be at the forefront of saving lives and supporting the drug-using communities in Leeds. In this exciting role, you will play a key part in ensuring that services across the city are equipped to respond to opiate overdoses by administering naloxone – a life-saving medication.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver training to Forward Leeds staff and a wide range of other services across the city on how to administer naloxone in overdose situations and have meaningful conversations with service users about its importance.
• Work closely with the Harm Reduction Social Support Team to address the needs of service users, reduce overdose risk, and create a seamless support network across Leeds.
• Identify key areas for service development and take action to implement solutions that adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the community.
• Ensure that the overdose response strategy remains up-to-date and effective.

What we’re looking for:

• A background in the substance use field with a focus on overdose prevention and harm reduction.
• The ability to deliver training and build strong networks across different services in Leeds.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Overdose Prevention Co-ordinator:

1. Deliver Naloxone Training: Train Forward Leeds staff and other identified organisations across Leeds on how to administer naloxone in overdose situations, and provide overdose awareness training.
2. Support Overdose Responses: Offer support to services when they respond to overdose situations with their service users.
3. Ensure Proper Systems: Oversee the correct storage and use of naloxone kits, ensuring compliance with protocols.
4. Conduct Audits & Training Support: Perform regular audits of services, providing ongoing support and training to workers, particularly those with limited substance misuse experience.
5. Collaborate with the Harm Reduction Team: Work closely with the Harm Reduction Social Support Team to ensure service users’ needs are met and overdose risks are reduced.
6. Monitor & Report: Track and report on training uptake, naloxone kits distributed and used, and other relevant metrics, providing monthly reports to the team.
7. Identify Service Development Needs: Continuously identify areas where service development is needed to reduce overdoses and drug-related deaths in Leeds, and create action plans for improvement.

This role requires a proactive approach to training, service support, and continuous improvement to enhance overdose prevention efforts across Leeds.

Working for our organisation

• Rising annual leave each year to a maximum of 33 days (including statutory holidays)
• 24 Hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Continuous opportunities for ongoing training and career development
• Cycle To Work scheme
• Refer A Friend recruitment initiative
• Flexible working opportunities (where applicable) upon successful completion of probation period
• Group Personal Pension Scheme
• Discounted income protection scheme
• Free car parking at most services
• Free life assurance cover

1. To deliver naloxone training to Forward Leeds staff and to other organisations identified by commissioners and St Anne’s Forward Leeds Manager.
2. To deliver overdose awareness to Forward Leeds staff and to other organisations identified by commissioners and St Anne’s Forward Leeds Manager.
3. Ensuring organisations have the correct administration processes in place and that audits are completed on a regular basis.
4. Liaise with other professionals, to ensure that vulnerable people have rapid access to kits; and are followed up immediately should take not attend appointments. This includes but is not limited to prison releases, people that drop out of or asked to leave rehab, or self-discharges from hospital.
5. Ensuring workers that distributing naloxone are following all procedures, that recalls and audits are completed.
6. Provide monthly reports covering the uptake of Training delivered, kits distributed to services, kits used and replenished. Other reporting requirement will be determined over the course of the project.
7. To identify areas of service development to reduce the number of overdoses and Drug Related Deaths in Leeds, and develop action plans accordingly.
8. Responsible for maximising opportunities for appropriate client participation in the delivery of overdose prevention work in Leeds.
9. Ensure that safeguarding and harm are acted on in line with our policies and procedures.
10. Responsible with your Line Manager for addressing your own personal development and training needs based on the service objective and to participate and contribute to formal supervisions.
11. Responsible for communicating effectively within the team, workplace, the organisation and with other agencies (including positively contributing to team meetings and other forums)
12. Responsible for ensuring that, as an individual and as part of a team, resources are used appropriately and that all necessary steps are taken to avoid waste.
13. Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace and responsible for implementing it.
14. Input all required information onto the services designated Teams channels, Management Information Systems and SystmOne.