Home Care Assistant Band 2 and Band 3

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Directorate: Adult Community Services
• Salary: Band 2 (£24,465)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 22/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 05 June 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “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 Home Care Assistant

BAND 2/3

DIRECTORATE Adult Community Services

INITIAL LOCATION Trust Wide (Localities include Craigavon & Banbridge,

Armagh & Dungannon, Newry & Mourne)

REPORTS TO Home Care Supervisor

ACCOUNTABLE TO Home Care Locality Manager

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working,

JOB SUMMARY

BAND 2 only

This is a training role; you will be supported to develop your underpinning knowledge and skills through on the job and formal training. This will enable you to provide appropriate care in various situations. It is anticipated that the training period will take no longer than 6 months. Upon successful completion you will then progress into the Band 3 payscale.

BAND 3

The post holder will be required to provide person centered care within the individuals own home, undertake social outings or a sitting service while promoting independence. The role of the home care assistant is to provide the necessary personal care and support to vulnerable service users to enable them to remain safely in their own home or return there following hospital discharge. The vulnerable service users will include adults and children with health and/or social care needs, e.g. people with physical / learning /mental health/end of life/palliative care needs.

The duties to be undertaken will be clearly specified in the individuals Service User Agreement and will reflect their assessed need. The post holder will be required to enable the service user to maintain as much independence as possible and make their own decisions. In order to meet the needs of our service users, the postholder must be prepared to work various shift patterns.

We are able to offer a range of minimum guaranteed hours contracts. Under these contracts we can offer a minimum average number of hours per week if you are able to work across different shift patterns between 7.00am to 10.30pm on any day of the week. The minimum guaranteed hours contract we offer will be for either an average of 10 hours, 12 hour, 16 hours, 20 hours, 25 hours, 30 hours, 35 hours and fulltime 37.5hrs. All other relevant conditions relating to these contracts will be explained at interview.

The postholder must be flexible and available to work across a range of days, evenings and weekend shift patterns on a rotational basis to meet the need of the service.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending on the assessed need of the individual service user, the main duties which the post holder may be required to perform are: -

The provision of personal care. This could include assistance with toileting and helping the service user with their stoma or catheter care, bathing/washing, care of hair, nails, skin and mouth, dressing and undressing, feeding and drinking.

The provision of practical household support. This could include bed making, fire lighting, preparation of drinks/meals, helping with the care of children and the collection of prescriptions and pensions.

Assisting and encouraging the promotion of independence e.g. enabling individuals to participate in their own personal and practical care, encouraging the use of aids or prescribed exercises in accordance with professional direction.

The provision of assistance with general care and rehabilitation e.g. application of creams/observation of dressings, assisting the service user to take prescribed medications/oxygen in accordance with written instructions. As also required, administer prescribed medications/oxygen in accordance with written instructions.

Assisting the service user in getting up/back to bed, helping with planned rehabilitation e.g. continence and walking.

The provision of the necessary advice/instructions to carers as appropriate.

Reports timely any changes in a service user’s circumstances or condition, as well as all untoward incidents/accidents to an appropriate senior member of staff in accordance with Trust procedures.

Accurately record details of visits to homes of service users and the tasks undertaken/not undertaken in accordance with Trust Home Care procedures.

Attend scheduled meetings.

To treat all service users with the appropriate respect and courtesy and regard all matters relating to the individual and his/her circumstances as strictly confidential.

To maintain effective relationships with the service user and all members of staff involved with the individual’s care.

Must attend and complete all in-service training as required.

To adhere to all the Trust’s policies and procedures.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will 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 the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the [org name] including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

March 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Home Care Assistant Band 2/3

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

Home Care Service / Adult Community Services

SALARY

HOURS

Minimum Guaranteed Contract (weekly average of 10 hours, 12 hour, 16 hours, 20 hours, 25 hours, 30 hours, 35 hours and fulltime 37.5hrs)

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: 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

Essential Criteria

Number

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Experience

E1

Band 3: Qualification/Experience

Hold NVQ/QCF/VRQ/RCF Level 2 in Health/Health & Social Care Certificate (or equivalent qualification) plus 1 years paid experience delivering direct care in a care environment, which must include personal care

OR

Have a minimum of 18 months paid experience delivering direct care in a care environment1, which must include personal care and be willing to complete RCF Level 2 Certificate in Health & Social Care within 18 months of appointment.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/

Experience

E2

Band 2: Qualification /Experience

Have 6 months paid or unpaid experience in a caring role

OR

Be currently undertaking a third level qualification (HNC/HND) or above in Health & Social Care related subject

Shortlisting by Application Form

Registration

Registered or able to be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, (unless you hold registration with another Health & Social Care Professional Council).

Other

E3

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by The Organisation which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

E4

E5

E6

E7

E8

E9

Have good verbal and written communication skills to meet the needs of the post.

Have an interest in and sensitive approach to the needs of older people, with learning/physical disabilities and people with mental health problems and their carers/relatives.

Have an ability to undertake a range of personal and practical care tasks in accordance with the established Care Plan.

Have the ability to accept responsibility, to use initiative and to be accountable.

Be willing to undertake training necessary for the role.

Have the ability to work effectively as a team member

Interview / Test

Ref No: March 2026

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 Organisation 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.

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

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

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