NHSCT_Band 3 Homecare Worker

Job details

• Branch: M'felt/C'stown incl Mid Ulster Hosp
• Location: Magherafelt Comm Services Centre
• Directorate: Community Care Division
• Functional Area: Domiciliary Care Service
• Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 20/05/26
• Closes: Wed, 03 June 2026 @ 5:00 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

Home Care Worker

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Home Care Worker

BAND: 3

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Community Care

INITIAL LOCATION: Magherafelt Locality

REPORTS TO: Home Care Officer

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director Community Care Division

FLEXIBLE WORKING

PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Fixed working patterns

JOB SUMMARY

The Homecare Worker provides homecare support to Service Users known to the multidisciplinary team inclusive of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Nursing, providing care to Service Users with a wide range of needs including palliative care living in their own homes. The client group includes those with dementia, learning/physical disabilities and mental health issues. The Homecare Worker will have specific responsibilities for designated Service Users and will attend to a range of duties and tasks according to an agreed care plan. The Homecare Worker ensures all duties are carried out according to Health & Safety Standards/Policies and Procedures within the Trust.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To either be registered, or willing to register with and adhere to the NISCC Code of Practice and the standards of service provision as directed by the service area.

To undertake duties, as directed by the Homecare Officer from the Multi-disciplinary care plan, which includes assistance with activities of daily living i.e. dressing/undressing, bathing, showering, toileting including emptying catheters, changing catheter bags and changing stoma bags.

To support and enable Service Users with regard to their prescribed medication in accordance with Trust policies and guidelines.

Ability to work as a team member to provide care in an unsupervised setting within the Service Users own home.

To assist with other activities of daily living included in the care plan, which includes manual handling transfer of Service Users, meal provision, undertake household and domestic duties as directed.

To report any changes in the Service Users’ circumstances to the Homecare Officer including physical, social, emotional and financial issues in accordance with policies and procedures.

To enhance the physical health and wellbeing of Service Users in their care through the implementation of an agreed care plan as identified by Social Work, Nursing, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist.

To participate in case discussions when requested by the Homecare Officer, to share information about the care provided in relation to Service User reviews, in order to inform decisions in relation to the Service Users in their care to enhance short and long term planning for the Service User’s needs.

To maintain any written information as required by the line manager following the agreed protocol in relation to Data Protection and following guidance within the Homecare Information Governance Leaflet.

To adhere to all the Trust’s Policies and Procedures in respect of the provision of domiciliary care.

To undertake training as required and to attend and participate in a programme of formal supervision and staff meetings, which may take place outside designated roistered hours.

Participate in a training and development appraisal/KSF PDP as identified and agreed.

Encouraging and supporting families/carers to engage in, or resume their role as carer and gain confidence in their ability to cope by our example and demonstration of Service User care.

Ability to deal with a range of Service Users with complex needs, such as dementia, learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.

Ensure effective communication in relation to Service User care with the multi-disciplinary team.

Support new Homecare Workers to the team as part of induction by facilitating shadowing, leading by example, and providing guidance and support.

To effectively demonstrate empathy and diplomacy in working with a range of Service User groups for example the terminally ill and difficult circumstances such as life changing events.

Ensure and be responsible that all equipment is safe including hoists, beds, aids, provide guidance on safe use of equipment to the Service User as per professional instruction and training. Adhere to Health and safety regulations including reporting faults. Homecare Workers are required to transport Personal Protective Equipment e.g. gloves, aprons and hand gel for their own use as per infection control policy.

To adhere to all Health and Safety directives while carrying out duties.

To adhere to the Trust’s Policy on Confidentiality.

To promote equality of opportunity and good relations as outlined in the Trust’s Equality Scheme.

To be aware of the Human Rights legislation in relation to the requirements of this post.

Such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to meet the needs of the service.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust will be 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

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

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 health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

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 NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern 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 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

£22,816 - £24,336 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

Please note as this role may not meet the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust will be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS

Various guaranteed and bank hours per week. Work is based on a rota system which includes mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays, between 7 am and 11 pm.

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST

A waiting list will be created for similar full time, part time, bank vacancies arising in the next 12 months within the Northern Trust Domiciliary Care Service.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011.

This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

CLOSING DATE

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh BT61 7PR on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

September 2024

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Home Care Worker

Band of Post: Band 3

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.

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.

Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

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

Qualifications/ Registration

NVQ Level 2 or QCF Level 2 in a Care related subject (Health & Social Care / Child Care) plus 6 months paid experience directly caring for older people or other client group’s

OR

4 GCSE’s (Grades A-C) plus 1 year paid experience directly caring for older people or other client groups

OR

2 years paid experience directly caring for older people or other client groups

OR

2 years paid/unpaid caring experience and willing to undertake and successfully complete QCF level 2 in Care within a specified timeframe.

Equivalent Qualifications considered

By date of appointment applicant must be listed or eligible to be registered on NISCC Register of Social Care Workers and within 3 months of date of commencement in post, registration with NISCC must be fully complete.

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

An ability to provide personal care services to children and adults

Ability to work as a team member and in an unsupervised setting within the service users own home

Effective communication skills and ability to liaise with colleagues and other professionals.

Must be capable of coping in emergency situations which may arise.

The post holder will be required to encourage and promote independence and offer support when appropriate

Must be capable of following specified care plans

Ability to recognise change in service users needs

Ability to follow written instructions and record outcomes

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Understanding of the role and responsibilities of the job

Understanding the needs of the service user group

Be able to demonstrate good care practice

Knowledge of Health and Safety

Knowledge of record keeping

Understanding of the needs of carers

Understanding of confidentiality

Interview

Special Circumstances

Must be available to work flexible hours on a rota basis – mornings, evenings, Bank Holidays, weekends between 7am – 11pm.

Must satisfactorily complete manual handling training assessment.

Must successfully complete Induction Training.

Must be willing to undertake appropriate training for the role.

Interview

Value Based Recruitment

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department

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.

THE NHSCT 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.

have the right 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

September 2024