Regional Newly Qualified Social Worker Band 5 Waiting List

Job details

• Branch: Northern Ireland Wide (BSO)
• Location: Northern Ireland Wide (BSO)
• Functional Area: Social Work Care
• Salary: Band 5 (£31,049 - £37,796)
• Contract Type: To create a waiting list
• Opening Date: 15/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 26 May 2026 @ 6:00 PM
• Interview Dates: Details in relation to interview dates will be available in the FAQ document.

Notes

Please refer to the FAQ document for further information on the allocation process and waiting list information. Accept online applications only. PLEASE PRINT OFF THE JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION.

Newly Qualified Social Worker Posts Available Across all HSC Organisations

WHICH HSC TRUSTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE?

There are 5 Trusts in Northern Ireland participating in this regional recruitment exercise as listed below (follow the links for further information on any of the Trusts listed);

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Northern Health and Social Care Trust South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Southern Health and Social Care Trust Western Health and Social Care Trust

All of the participating Trusts are charged with providing health and social care services to the Northern Ireland public provided locally and on a regional basis.

Timeline for Recruitment

Advert closes

26 May 2026

Invite to interview

28 May 2026

Interviews

From 4 June 2026

Job Offer Discussions

Details at interview

Waiting List Expiry

TBC*

Timeline is illustrative for the purpose of giving candidates insight into the process and timelines involved, subject to change and unforeseen delay.

*Waiting lists are held for 6 months after the final interview and will be confirmed in later correspondence.

Social Workers Overview

The following is a Summary Overview of the typical responsibilities of a Social Worker across the HSC. The specific Job Description for any role offered would be made available at the time of offer.

The post holder will be responsible for the direct provision of quality social work services to service users and carers. The post holder will work as a member of a social work or multi-disciplinary team, reporting to a Team Leader. The post holder will be responsible for the direct discharge of statutory functions and fulfilling the Named Social Worker Function. Assessment of need, care planning, safeguarding, risk management, review of services, effective case load management and a rights based practice approach are key elements of the Social Work role. The post holder will practise professional Social Work, working in partnership with statutory agencies, other professionals, voluntary organisations and families to ensure person centred outcomes. The post holder will practice in accordance with Regional HSC Values and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council Codes of Conduct and Practice for Social Workers.

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be responsible for the direct provision of quality social work services to service users and carers.

The post holder will work as a member of a social work or multi-disciplinary team, reporting to a Team Leader and will typically work with a variety of statutory agency colleagues.

The post holder will be responsible for the direct discharge of statutory functions, practicing in accordance with legislative requirements and fulfilling the Named Social Worker Function.

Assessment of need, care planning, safeguarding, risk management, review of services, effective case load management and a rights based practice approach are key elements of the Social Work role.

The post holder will practise professional Social Work, working in partnership with statutory agencies, other professionals, voluntary organisations and families to ensure person centred outcomes.

The post holder will practice in accordance with Regional HSC Values and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council Codes of Conduct and Practice for Social Workers.

Participate in meetings, conferences and court proceedings and provide reports within timescale.

Maintain accurate comprehensive and up to date records in line with regional and Trust policy.

Be responsible for managing allocated work and establish priorities within it.

Participate in supervision in line with Regional and Trust policy.

Engage in team meetings, team building exercises and work well within the team.

Take responsibility for own continuous professional development, continuing registration requirements, and commit to achieving Professional in Practice (PIP).

Attend conferences, courses and specific continuous professional developmental programmes required or considered essential by the Programme of Care.

Provide support and advice to others commensurate with own level of experience.

Support Team Leader to provide student Placement Learning Opportunities.

Participate in and promote activity to improve standards of social work practice.

Provide data for service development, quality improvement, monitoring purposes, performance indicators or delegated statutory data returns.

Participate in office duty, weekend and/or bank holiday working, out of hours or stand by duty as required within the Programme of Care. Working patterns will vary according to the social work post and may include working over a 7 day rota, evening and weekend as well as unsociable hours

Engage in any other duties as determined by the Trust.

PLEASE NOTE

If successful, the Job Description for the specific post will be assigned at the point offer.

PLEASE NOTE

If successful, the Job Description for the specific post will be assigned at the point offer.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Notes to applicants

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria

2. 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.

3. WARNING: It will be assumed that all applicants meet the essential criteria for the application stage as stated in the Personnel Specification at the closing date of advertisement. Applicants should therefore note that it is their responsibility to ensure they meet the essential criteria for the application stage. If it is subsequently found at any stage of the recruitment and selection process that an applicant did not meet the criteria at the closing date their application will not be processed any further.

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

Qualifications/ Experience/ Registration

I am a current social work student due to complete my studies by 31/12/26.

Or

I have completed my Social Work degree, I am not currently employed as a Social Worker by any of the 5 Health and Social Care Trust’s, and I still require to complete the Assessed Year in Employment (AYE)*.

*This recruitment process is intended for applicants who are newly qualified and require to complete the Assessed Year in Employment (AYE). Applicants who have already completed the AYE (an equivalent assessed year/post-qualifying programme, or equivalent length of post qualifying experience) should apply via our Regional or Bespoke Social Worker adverts, which run throughout the year.

Shortlisting/Pre Employment Checks

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criterion 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.

Consideration will be given to non-drivers for positions within Hospital and Residential settings.

Pre Employment Checks

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

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Skills / Abilities

4. Effective planning & organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.

Interview

5. Effective communications skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

6. Ability to work as part of a single or multi- disciplinary team.

7. Ability to use own initiative.

8. Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.

9. Ability to assess needs, risks, circumstances, manage risk, plan care and review to promote person centred outcomes.

10. Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

Knowledge

11. Demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of the role as set out in the Job Summary.

Interview

12. Knowledge of relevant legislation as it applies across all Service User Groups and Carers.

Candidates may wish to be aware that we incorporate Value Based Recruitment in our process. Here is a high level summary of what this means

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by HSC 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 in practice.

What We Can Offer You

There are many benefits of working for the HSC with competitive remuneration packages and excellent terms and conditions of employment, here are just a few:

Annual Leave and General Public holidays

The HSC offers excellent provision for annual leave and General Public Holidays as follows:

On entry 27 days plus 10 public holidays After 5 years’ service 29 days plus 10 public holidays After 10 years’ service 33 days plus 10 public holidays

HSC Pension Scheme / HPSS Superannuation Scheme

The HSC Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme and an important and valuable staff benefit for people working in the health service. As a scheme member, you get an excellent package of pension benefits, index linked and guaranteed by the Government. If you join the scheme, you will receive life insurance cover of twice your pensionable or reckonable pay from the day you join.

Membership of the scheme is voluntary; however, you will be entered into the scheme automatically and will have to choose to opt out. Further information may be obtained from the HSC Pension Service Website at www.hscpensions.hscni.net.

Human Resources Policies

Each Trust offers a wide range of Human Resource Policies to underpin the value that is placed on our staff such as a range of Work Life Balance/Flexible Working Policies. Further information is available on Trust websites.

Personal Development - The HSC offers a strong continuous professional development ethos through Annual Personal Development Reviews and Personal Develop Planning.

Committed to Equality of Opportunity

Each Trust recognises and values the diversity of its workforce and the population it serves. Each Trust is committed to a working environment free from intimidation of any kind. Through a systematic and objective recruitment & selection process the Trusts are committed to ensuring that appointment decisions are taken solely on the basis of merit.

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