Keyworker, Care Home Support Team

Job details

• Branch: Lisburn Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: LPCCC
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 15/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 29 May 2026 @ 5:30 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: Key Worker

BAND: 6

DIRECTORATE: Primary Care and Older People

INITIAL LOCATION: Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre

REPORTS TO: Team Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director of Primary Care, Older People /

Executive Director of Nursing

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will undertake the Keyworker role as a member of the Multidisciplinary Team in Older People’s Services to screen, co-ordinate, assess and identify services to meet the needs of vulnerable Older People in the community who are most at risk and who require support to enable them to remain at home which may be supported living or a care home setting. The Keyworker will work in partnership with individuals in a person centred approach, to assess need and agree outcomes by co-production with the Service User, carer to deliver a service.

The Keyworker will also undertake the role of Investigating Officer as part of the Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures as and when requested.

They will ensure safety, quality and patient experience is central to the ethos of their practice and to that of the team and mirrors the Trusts corporate objectives.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

1 The Keyworker will assume responsibility for screening and allocating referrals in the absence of or delegated from the Team Leader. They will undertake a full holistic assessment by using professionally recognised skills in assessment and co-ordinate the professional assessments required to determine the needs of individual clients and their carer(s). The Keyworker will ensure that the person being assessed and whomever they deem significant are fully engaged in the assessment process.

2 The Keyworker will receive and screen referrals for the assessment of people’s health and well-being needs.

The Keyworker will work closely with the independent Sector, community based and voluntary organisations to meet the identified assessed need.

3 The Keyworker will assess need and develop a person centred support plan for each service user based on their individual assessment. They will ensure that the service user and whomever they consider to be significant are fully involved in the assessment and care planning process.

4 The Keyworker will ensure that support / care plans, residential and nursing home placements are effectively monitored and reviewed and that service provision is validated and outcomes are evaluated.

5 They will liaise and work in partnership with Statutory and Independent Service providers in the monitoring of service provision and quality of the service provided.

6 In the event where quality issues arise concerning the care provided the Keyworker will work in partnership with the RQIA and the service providers to ensure that appropriate action is taken.

7 The Keyworker will keep timely and accurate records in accordance with Trust procedures.

8 The Keyworker will ensure that the Service User is an equal partner in the assessment and support planning.

9 The Keyworker will holistically support the individual and informal carer by facilitating carer’s assessment, support planning if applicable.

10 The Keyworker will work closely with the multi-disciplinary teams across Acute and Community services to ensure the ease of transition of clients in Interim Care who require community based support. They will liaise with, refer to and receive referrals from the multi-disciplinary teams.

11 The Keyworker will be responsible for caseload management where a client’s needs are deemed to be complex.

12 The Keyworker will explain clearly and provide information to Service Users, carers and significant others their role, responsibilities and accountability, the information that is needed from the assessment and who might have access to it.

13 The Keyworker will respect people’s dignity; wishes and beliefs involve them in shared decision making and obtain their consent.

14 The Keyworker will develop and record individual Service User support plans that are consistent with the outcomes of the assessment.

Identify the risks that need to be managed, have clear goals, (involve other practitioners and agencies when this is necessary) to meet assessed needs and risks within the resources available and identify unmet need.

15 The Keyworker will implement monitor and review care and support plans to ensure agreed outcomes are being met in accordance with policy and procedure and amend as appropriate.

16 The Keyworker will promote the Trust Community Development model and will contribute to the Trust Community Health and Well Being strategy. This will involve establishing good working relationships with local community based service providers and community groups.

17 The Keyworker will when required undertake the Investigating Officer role as part of the Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. They will on request fully investigate allegations of abuse and support the alleged victim of abuse ensuring their protection plan is in place. As Investigating Officer the Keyworker will work closely with other agencies such as RQIA and PSNI as appropriate.

18 The Keyworker will ensure advocacy arrangements for individual service users particularly vulnerable service users and convene multi- disciplinary case discussions to consider risk, protect the client and consider legislative issues.

19 The Keyworker will work as part of the GP attached Multi -Disciplinary Team within Older People Services.

20 As a professionally qualified member of staff the Keyworker will be required to ensure that their registration for practice is maintained and training updated.

21 They will be required to act independently on occasions, particularly in a crisis make professional and service related decisions to ensure Service user safety which can later be ratified by the Line Manager.

22 The Keyworker will provide information, advice and guidance as appropriate to other members of the Multi- Disciplinary Team.

23 The Keyworker will contribute to the implementation of systems of Clinical and Social Care Governance, including training, standard setting and quality assurance.

24 The keyworker will be accountable to the Team Leader / Senior Manager for any financial expenditure required following risk assessment. The keyworker will monitor that the personal budget allocated to meet the assessed need and agreed outcome is used appropriately.

25 The Keyworker will liaise with and work closely with all parties to promote partnership with service users, carers and service providers in the Independent and Statutory sectors.

26 The keyworker will initiate and develop close working partnerships with hospital and community staff, voluntary and private agencies and gather / share information to ensure effective joint decision making with clients.

27 The keyworker will contribute and participate in the recruitment and selection of team members as required.

28 The Keyworker will ensure that information systems and Service Users records are maintained in accordance with Trust policies and procedures and to provide statistical and other information as required.

29 The Keyworker will be required to participate in working groups and contribute to the development of new services and improvement of existing services. They will contribute to and work within a change management process to improve the quality of service delivery and service users’ experience.

30 The keyworker will be required to participate in uni-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary audits of service users’ records and service provision.

31 The Keyworker will act as Practice Teacher / Onsite Supervisor where appropriate and as required for students from professional course on placement within Older Peoples service.

32 The Keyworker will participate in meetings with the Locality Manager / Team Leader as required.

33 The Keyworker will participate in operational supervision with the Team Leader and professional supervision if applicable in accordance with Governance arrangements. They will take ownership for their continuous professional development, attend training and contribute to their appraisal.

34 The Keyworker will contribute to contractual process with Providers and monitor the quality and compliance of service provision.

35 The Keyworker will contribute to the Trust Total Quality Management System.

36 The Keyworker will participate in an office duty rota when it is required for service delivery.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1 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 South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

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

3 Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust'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.

4 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

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

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

7 All employees of the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust 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 South Eastern Trust 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.

7 Represent the Trust’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 Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire

and / or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

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 and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Keyworker

DEPARTMENT /

DIRECTORATE Care Home Support Team (Primary Care and Older People)

SALARY Band 6

HOURS 37.5 per week

Ref No: 55654426 May 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 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

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

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Have a minimum of two years post qualifying experience working with older people, adults, carers, people with mental illness, a physical disability or a learning disability, in a paid professional capacity.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

A relevant Health and Social Care professional qualification- (Nursing, Social Work, Allied Health Professional)

and

Live on the professional register - NMC, NISCC or relevant professional register.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

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 Trust 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

Effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary context as well as independently.

Effective planning, organisational and assessment skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Have an excellent understanding of legislation supporting the role of the Keyworker.

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these 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 criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Two years post qualifying experience working in a community setting

Experience of assessment for Deprivation of Liberty (DOL) applications under the Mental Capacity Act (NI) 2016.

Shortlisting by Application Form

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.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE TRUST 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. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. 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