BHSCT_Band 7_Senior Practitioner Social Worker

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: GATE WAY SERVICE
• Directorate: Children's Community Services
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 07/05/26
• Closes: Thu, 21 May 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

“A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Senior Practitioner Social Worker

(Adolescents)

BAND

7

DIRECTORATE

CCS

INITIAL LOCATION

Gateway – Forster Green Hospital

REPORTS TO

Team Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Director of Social Work

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be an integral member of the Gateway Service, providing quality social work services to families referred into the service, and deputizing for their team leader as required. They will have a comprehensive knowledge of the policies and procedures, and legislation which underpins Gateway Service’s work with children and their families.

They will be able to demonstrate enhanced levels of practice, competence / skills in areas such as direct practice, multiagency working etc and will have an ability to manage their own case load, whilst also providing support to their social work colleagues.

The post holder will participate in the provision of a duty and assessment service, working with families with children of all ages, dependent on the requirements of the service, however, they will have a lead role in respect of young people who are at risk of significant harm or adverse outcomes – including family breakdown, child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation, exclusion, offending, or other vulnerabilities.

In this regard

They will engage with young people and their families to provide timely, proportionate interventions, and assessments of need and risk.

Their involvement with families will range from promotion of early interventions, and implementation of safeguarding measures, as required, to reduce risks to the young person and promote positive outcomes.

Where there is an identified need for tier 3 intervention beyond the period of the Initial Assessment, case responsibility will transfer to the relevant family support team / Adolescent Support service.

Given the needs of these young people and particularly when there is a need for a crisis response, there may be occasions on which the post holder will be required to work beyond their usual office hours.

The post holder will develop effective multi-agency support plans, in partnership with a wide range of statutory, community and voluntary agencies, and they will ensure that knowledge of the support services and resources available to these young people and their families from other agencies is shared across the Gateway staff group.

The post holder will be a point of contact for other Gateway staff, providing expertise and guidance regarding relevant operational guidance, working arrangements, support services etc.

The post holder will contribute to operational “at risk” meetings as required to ensure appropriate information sharing and risk management regarding young people at risk (e.g., CSE or CCE).

They will contribute to service development through mapping of needs, and audit activity.

The post holder will be expected to attend to his/her professional training and development via training, supervision and learning in line with NISCC registration requirements.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

For each of the following, the postholder will;

Direct practice with children and families

Engage in direct practice with children and families including, where appropriate, co-working with other practitioners.

Undertake specific roles in discharging statutory responsibilities and implementing policies and procedures including a range of court related tasks.

Participate in Child Protection Case Conferences and Looked After Children reviews.

Effectively engage with service users and carers to promote participation.

Facilitation, consultation and practice development

Provide support and advice to others in relation to their practice and professional development e.g. mentoring staff undertaking assessed year in employment.

Access and participate in, as appropriate, research and other developmental activity relevant to improving standards of practice.

Participate in the development of evidence-based practice within the Child Care Programme.

Promote high standards of Social Work practice.

Governance and reporting responsibility

Liaise with relevant statutory, voluntary and independent sector organisations.

Maintain clear records of work undertaken.

Participate in professional supervision process with Team Leader.

Contribute to the development and delivery of the Trust’s governance framework, audit schedules and quality and service improvements agenda.

Contribute to reviews of Trust policies and procedures relating to services to children and families.

Contribute to needs assessment and service development.

Continuous professional development

Maintain a high level of professional self-development through training and supervision and learning and research.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment. Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.

Maintain high standards of personal accountability.

Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’).

Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique.

Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment.

Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet); Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry.

Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised.

Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

All Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Those in a Senior Management role will Lead on and be responsible for the planning, implementation, reporting and all other aspects relevant to the Trust's PPI Strategy within the Directorate. This will include ensuring robust arrangements are in place for active engagement with user groups and the voluntary and independent sectors in the design and delivery of services.

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pd

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Senior Practitioner Social Worker

(Adolescents)

Band 7

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Safeguarding – Gateway Service

HOURS 37.5

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.

You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications

Registration

Current registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council on the social work part of the register.

OR

Have Current Registration with one of the Social Care Regulatory Bodies in England, Scotland or Wales and be eligible to register with NISCC. In these circumstances applicants must be able to demonstrate at interview they will be in a position to register with NISCC should they be offered a Post with the Trust by providing evidence of their current Registration. Before taking up appointment, applicants must have secured Registration with NISCC on the Social Work Part of the Register.

A minimum of 3 years’ post qualifying experience, gained in a post within Children & Community Services.

Having achieved or giving a commitment to achieve an award in social work within the NI PQ Framework and linked to the service area, within three years of appointment to the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other (e.g. Driving etc.)

A current full driving licence valid in the UK and access to a car.

‘Where disability prohibits driving, these criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements.’

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Skills

Abilities

Applicant must have excellent communication skills and report writing skills.

Knowledge of legislation, policy, procedures and current issues in Family and Child Care.

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job-related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Qualifications

Registration

Applicants will have had experience of completing complex comprehensive assessments and demonstrate ability to work effectively to deadlines.

Shortlisting by Application Form

NOTE

Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times