So... what makes a good key worker!

[Bonjour]

As I have wandered around this community over the last few months I see a lot of people who are unhappy with their key-workers and the professionals who work with them.

So, I am genuinely interested on what you guys, the people on the pointy end so to speak, value in a key worker. What values, experiences and attitudes do you expect or would you like to see in your key worker?

I have my own opinions, but it would be really helpful to hear what you have to say.

Thanks 

[froude]

Someone who dont give a piss test and gives you  LSD maintenence,with the options of other drugs,perfect Keyworker

I will have a think and get back to you flouro,cheers froude

[angiesims AKA true grit :)]

Preferably some-one who is with you longer than 2 months. I've had more key-workers than I can count on my fingers and toe's! Its not the best finally getting a rapport with your key-worker to go in the month after and you have a new one. Thus having to tell your life story all over again and hope they get you. They seem to have more staff changes than a famous 'burger' selling company 

[Bonjour]

Haha froude... maybe I should clarify by saying don't ask me to do something illegal, immoral, or dangerous.... other than that, what qualities would you like to see in a key worker?

[sapphire]

Just someone that atually listens to you, and doesn't try to shove what they think you 'should' be doing down your throat! And no constant wittering about reductions!!

[derek d j]

In fairness to 'keyworkers', theirs is a difficult job. They can't be blamed for their silly job title but they should not allow it to go to their heads or put membership of a 'team' of 'health professionals' or loyalty to their employer before the interest of their 'clients'.

As well as what Sapphire says, someone who can provide accurate information about all drug matters. Someone able to think and, where necessary, investigate for themselves and not simply parrot what their 'bosses' tell them. Slavish adherence to the 'drugs are bad for you and you must stop' line is invariably counter-productive. Someone who's not afraid and says what they think. Someone who treats each user as a unique individual, not a specimen of an unsavoury type, and who doesn't assume they're 'superior' or project their personal failings onto the addiction object. An honest person who knows honesty involves more than obeying the criminal code and whose 'morality' isn't a front for prejudice. Someone who avoids solipsism, follows common sense rather than what's easiest or currently in fashion and deals with situations and people as they are, not as they'd like them to be. Someone you can trust.

Do all these things, my son, and you'll be a 'key worker' and won't be taking your £17K a year plus allowances under false pretences.

[sapphire]

Oh god Derek, don't even get me started on keyworkers deciding to enforce whatever the flavour of the month in 'treatment' is on their poor service users.

My current DSP seems to be going backwards, not forwards, they have started only giving people (whether they need it or not) stupidly low doses, kicking people off for more than 3 positive piss tests (which is a lot of people, as they are chronically underdosing people).

Grrrr,

[derek d j]

Yep, they create the problem, then 'solve' it. Local criminals put a grateful quid into their 'charity' collection boxes. Hapless users are sent on a fast track to hell or the penitentiary.

How do they continue to get away with it?

[usandthem]

Derek describes perfectly, as does sapphire, froude, and the others. I would mirror what they say. Although I would like to add about some target driven or prospector keyworkers that say "well Jack, our recovery Champion, who I helped coax off his script, did it with no trouble  so why can't you??" or worse still.. "oh you can do it, I have faith in you, you're a winner" is a complete fail and lack of professionalism and can have dire consequences for the user.

John (S/U)

[Anon33]

Empathic yet not patronizing, good understanding of NICE guidelines, pragmatic approach to drug treatment, don't keep me waiting 20 minutes whilst if I don't make the appt in 20 minutes-I lose the slot, leeway, a bit of give and take and EMPOWER me- don't signpost to any faith cults or wear purple

ps...make sure the script is ALWAYS in the chemist awaiting my embrace.....ta very muchy

[froude]

An understanding in the practise of Drug rehabilitaion,would be a good start ,an allocated KeyWorker that is with you through all your treatment ,all available treatments given to the person in treatment(what is good for you may not be good for the other),from iv scripts to a blocker,only persistent offenders put into Rehabs(too many people going into rehabs and coming out and using straight away).Some people are ready for Keyworker and are put in Rehab and they know their going to fail,where as the Keyworker might have a better chance.A whole look at the way we treat people in treatment,and 6months probationary period for Keyworkers or even working with a mentor for a few months,to many Keyworkers coming into the system and saying hello im Mike and after the second vist he's asking you to reduce(fucking prick),Thats about it ,oh maybe a more of a outreach project for those on the street,and stop relying on the god squad to hand out food and blankets.Hope it helps all the best Froude
 

[Bonjour]

I suspect asking for the same key worker to be there right throughout your treatment may be wishful thinking, especially if you are in treatment for a long time.

It's all very helpful stuff though. I suspect there will be some brilliant key workers out there and some shit ones - much like all other professions or workplaces!

[OP8S]

A key that isn't target driven. Mine can't understand why I feel more more included in society & less anxiouswhen using opiates, I in return can't understand why he wouldn't prefer a life on opiates as oppossed to the alcohol he prefers. The drug-laws all through the ages have been all over the place. What I could legally buy 100 years ago is now in the hands of the criminal underground. We're all different, with diferent preferences.

[sapphire]

That's a really good point OP - key's that are target driven are never going to wholly have the patients best interests at heart.

[Bonjour]

Urgh... targets! I am so happy to work somewhere that doesn't have targets! Roll on my my most creative key-working!