Principal Social Worker/Social Work Lead Band 8a

Job details

• Branch: Western Health & Social Care Trust
• Location: Western Trust Area
• Directorate: Woman & Childern's Service
• Functional Area: Safeguarding Children
• Salary: Band 8a (£55,690 - £62,682 )
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 14/07/26
• Closes: Tue, 28 July 2026 @ 3:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

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

Children & Young People’s Autism Service Principal Social Worker / Social Work Lead

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

8a

Children & Families Directorate

To be determined with the successful applicant

REPORTS TO

Consultant Lead Clinical Psychologist, Head of Children’s Autism Service

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Assistant Director Child Health and Disability

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will form part of the Management Team in the Children’s Autism Service and, together with other Team Leads and the Autism Coordinator, will work with the Consultant Clinical Psychologist to ensure operational delivery of effective and efficient practice and the provision of a comprehensive range of services to Children with Autism and their families. Principal Social Worker / Social Work Lead will provide managerial leadership of the social work service within the Children’s Autism Service. They will be responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of services to the Children with Autism and their families. The post holder will provide professional leadership to social work team.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Principal Social Worker / Social Work Lead will be directly accountable to the Head of Service and Clinical Lead for the Children’s Autism for the operational delivery and development of the service and the management and performance of staff. Day-to-day operation of cases is delegated to the Principal Social Worker/ Social Work Lead. Challenges and complexities are brought to the attention of the Head of service through the line management structure. The job entails maximising the existing experience and commitment of all staff. The job entails developing an integrated service, which is focused upon the needs of Children with Autism and their families. Services will be provided in collaboration with the Voluntary and Community sector. It will be essential to develop effective working relationships with partnership agencies to encourage appropriate services. Key objectives will be agreed with the post holder and the Head of Service on an annual basis. The primary duties and responsibilities against these objectives will include:

1. Service Delivery

Delivery of a high quality social work service to Children with Autism and their families in the Western Health and Social Care Trust

Delivery of high quality social work assessments and specialist interventions to Children with Autism and their families

Responsibility for management of the PHA targeted intervention waiting list

Continuing development of the service to meeting the emerging assessed needs

and to present plans to address unmet need

Ensure that all relevant legislative requirement and delegated statutory functions are

met

Work in collaboration with community and voluntary sector and providers to ensure

coordination and provision of local services to meet the needs of Children with Autism

and their families

Responsibility for waiting lists to the Social Work Service

Chair and coordinate relevant Social Work and Multi-disciplinary Case planning meetings

Planning for the implementation of change

To contribute to the development of strategy and management policy to ensure the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Trust’s services

Collaborative working with teams within the Children’s Autism Service, and services across the Children and Families Directorate and other Directorates where relevant.

Ensure appropriate mechanisms for user involvement for service user and carer’s to enhance the development and delivery of local services

Be accountable and deliver a service that can respond effectively and flexibly to children and their families’ needs

Be a member of the Children’s Disability Family Support Panel and other panels, working groups as necessary.

To participate in the Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures within agreed levels of authority

To provide supervision to appropriate staff in accordance with the Regional Supervision Policy.

The Principal Social Worker / Social Work Lead will be expected to implement all appropriate Trust policies

2. Communication & Information Management

2.1 Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others

2.2 Report and record all accidents, untoward incidents, sickness and absence, within your area of responsibility, using appropriate forms.

2.3 Deal with and report complaints, in keeping with Trust Policy, and assist with investigations, when necessary

2.4 Maintain accurate and up to date information systems as required by the Directorate

2.5 Develop and maintain good communication with all levels of management and build partnerships with the wider HPSS, NHS and external organisations

2.6 Communicate effectively and with Children with Autism and their families.

3. Quality

3.1 Ensure that the needs of Children with Autism and their families / carers are at the core of the way that the Trust delivers services

3.2 Work within the Trust’s governance framework to ensure policies and procedures meet relevant statutory requirements, professional standards, policy guidance and workforce and regulatory requirements.

3.3 Support the Trust in advancing its compliance with Risk Management Controls Assurance Standards and to contribute to improving governance across the organisation.

3.4 Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development

3.5 Promote a culture which focuses on the provision of high quality, safe and effective

care, which allows staff to maximise their potential and is underpinned by honest, open

communication and team working across disciplines

4. Financial & Resource Management

4.1 Develop and monitor appropriate controls within scope of responsibility in accordance with the Trust’s Schedule of Delegated Authority

4.2 Adhere to agreed policies and procedures including standing financial instructions.

4.3 Authorise mileage forms and stock and non-stock requisitions in accordance with the Schedule of Delegated Authority.

4.4 Ensure that the Trust’s funds are effectively used, that financial commitments represent value for money and comply with standing financial instructions and Trust protocol.

4.5 Manage and monitor service standards, contracts and agreements arising from

relationships with internal and external suppliers.

5. People Management

5.1 Service management for staff within the Children’s Autism Social Work Service

5.2 Establish a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables staff, within your area of responsibility, to meet required performance standards.

5.3 Identify, at least annually through performance appraisal, training and development needs of staff in line with the NHS Knowledge and Skills framework and to carry out the development review process as required.

5.4 Participate in the recruitment and selection of new staff as required.

5.5 Participate in the orientation and induction of new staff and in the development of good interpersonal relationships.

5.6 Encourage good practice and act as a role model, give leadership and support to staff and encourage effective teamwork within your area of responsibility.

5.7 Manage and document grievance and disciplinary matters in keeping with Trust policies.

5.8 Take responsibility for managing and improving attendance of staff in accordance with the Trust’s Managing Attendance Protocol.

5.9 Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and

support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

6. General Management Responsibilities

6.1 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 ‘Your right to raise a concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure it is managed correctly under the ‘Your right to raise a concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy, and ensure that feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns raised, and how they were resolved.

General Requirements

The post holder will be required to

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.

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.

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.

All employees of the WHSCT are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the WHSCT 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 WHSCT 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 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.

The HSC Code of conduct sets out the standards of conduct expected of all staff in the Western Health & Social Care Trust and presents standards of conduct and behaviours required during and after employment with the Trust. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

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.

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

Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability.

Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties.

Employees must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust’s Risk Management Strategy.

The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems.

All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person.

Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder’s area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust’s Equality Scheme.

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.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Children and Young People’s Autism Service, Principal Social Worker / Social Work Lead Band 8a

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

Children & Young People’s Autism Service, Children and Families Directorate

LOCATION

To be determined with the successful applicant

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

A minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience working in a Children’s Service, 3 of which must include Management or supervision of staff.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Degree/ Diploma in Social Work or equivalent.

Be registered or eligible for registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).

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

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model, details of which can be found at

http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcareleadership-model. Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:

Leading with Care

Connecting Our Service

Engaging the Team

Holding to Account

Influencing for results

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Knowledge of Autism and the range of specialist interventions and supports for children and families

Knowledge of relevant legislation

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

Experience of service development and improvements

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Post-qualifying qualification

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.

“The successful candidate 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.”

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

JUNE 2026

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