We’re looking for someone to work with us on a chemsex pilot for the criminal justice sector.
Our Antidote service provides high quality drug & alcohol psycho-social treatment and support to LGBTQ+ people utilising harm reduction & abstinence-based methods. Antidote is a part of London Friend, the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity, which aims to support and promote health & wellbeing for LGBTQ+ people living in the London area.
The largest focus of Antidote’s work is chemsex. Over recent years a need has emerged for rehabilitative support for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who are part of the criminal justice system linked with chemsex-related offending.
We have recently been awarded an Innovation Grant to deliver a pilot project with HMPPS aimed at supporting this cohort of men serving community sentences or leaving prison. The pilot will test one to one and group support. It will also work with prison and probation staff to improve a drug treatment pathway, including working in HMP Thameside and with their healthcare team to improve knowledge and awareness of chemsex for prison-based staff and to implement a smooth transition into community-based drug treatment on release.
The post holder will provide support to GBMSM referred through the pilot. They will hold a caseload of clients and be responsible for their assessment, case planning, review, and ongoing care. They will develop and deliver new group programmes for this cohort of GBMSM and work collaboratively with prison and probation staff. They will be responsible for maintaining accurate records, including information used to monitor and evaluate the pilot.
They will also assist with the delivery of Antidote’s services, including our walk-in clinics and group programmes, with a priority on identifying and supporting clients within the criminal justice system.
The post-holder will take an active anti-discriminatory, anti-racism and trans-inclusive approach around all areas of work and will be an active member of both London Friend and our partnerships and will support with the aims & objectives of both services.
Due to the nature of the work and in order to provide appropriate access for the clients group the role may require regular evening work and occasional weekend working.
The postholder will be expected to clear HMPPS Vetting to enable access to the secure prison estate.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 22nd February 2024. We expect interviews to run on Tuesday 27th February 2024.
