Senior Support Worker Band 5

Job details

• Branch: Larne/Cfergus/Nabbey incl Wabbey Hosp
• Location: East Antrim Supported Living/Short Break
• Directorate: Mental Health, Learning Disability & CWB Division
• Salary: Band 5 (£31,049 - £37,796)
• Contract Type: To create a waiting list
• Opening Date: 27/05/26
• Closes: Wed, 10 June 2026 @ 5:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

(BSO, Belfast & Regional Orgs CCGANI, NIMDTA, NIPEC, PCC, RQIA, SPPG) We accept online applications only. 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

Senior Support 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: Senior Support Worker

BAND: 5

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services

INITIAL LOCATION: East Antrim Supported Living or Short Break Services

REPORTS TO: Deputy Manager/Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Service and Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services

FLEXIBLE WORKING

PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working

JOB SUMMARY

To assist the Manager/ Deputy Manager in the effective and efficient management of the service and staff; develop and maintain standards of professional practice and implement care and support plans designed to meet the social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of each Service User. In the absence of Manager/ Deputy Manager to undertake the day to day management of the Service

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To contribute to the implementation of all relevant Departmental and Trust policies and procedures and the interpretation of these to all staff.

To assist in the day-to-day effective and efficient management of the short break/ supported living service and all staff including taking charge.

To fully participate in the organising and staffing of rotas as required within the short break/ supported living service.

To ensure the health, safety and welfare of Service Users is paramount at all times.

To assist in the administration of medication in accordance with Departmental Circular HSS5 (0S) 3/78 and policies and procedures laid down by the Trust.

To ensure that all emergencies, untoward incidents and complaints are acted upon and processed in accordance with Trust policy and procedures.

Ensure policy is followed in the protection of vulnerable adults.

To participate in induction programme for all new members of staff.

Be responsible for giving appropriate advice, guidance and practical help to support staff on a day to day basis.

To participate in the identification of training needs for all staff.

To participate in a formal programme of supervision and appraisal for all support staff

To participate in the organisation and implementation of regular staff and Service User meetings.

To assist in the provision of student placements, e.g. DipSW students.

To participate in conferences, courses and meetings organised/arranged by the Trust.

To contribute to the creation of a relaxed homely environment which will maintain and enhance the quality of care and support to each Service User and maximise their opportunities for choice and independence.

To ensure that a person centred approach to assessment, risk assessment and programme planning is adopted

To assist with the ongoing development, implementation and supervision of primary care/support programmes with individual Service users.

To assist in completing risk assessment with Service Users, promoting maximum well-being, quality of life and enabling environments.

To participate with Service Users in the regular reviewing of their care/support programmes.

To help, develop and maintain effective communication links with the community, other professions and family networks, whilst ensuring Person Centred Plans are implemented and reviewed.

To participate in the transition process and induction of new Service Users to Supported Living or Short Break Service.

To take responsibility for day to day management of the service, under the direction of the Manager/ Deputy Manager.

Provide advice and support to support workers while carrying out their role.

Liaise with multi-disciplinary team regarding assessment of needs of Service Users, evaluating and contributing to reviews of care plans.

To assist with the allocation of short breaks if based in the short break service, taking into consideration compatibility and availability of service.

To support staff while completing their RVQ.

To work in accordance with the RQIA Residential Care Home/Domiciliary Care Regulations and NIHE Supporting People Framework.

To assist the Registered Manager prepare for inspections and implement requirements and recommendations following inspections.

Observe the NISCC Code of Professional Conduct and work within the scope of professional practice.

To keep up to date with best practice and be aware of the changing needs of people with a learning disability in order to develop innovative programmes of care.

To contribute to the development of a range of group/individual activities, both inside and outside the home, to meet the assessed needs of Service Users.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;

It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;

Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;

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;

Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;

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

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;

Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;

Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;

Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;

Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

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

£31,049- £37,796 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would 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

Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times

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 may be compiled for similar permanent / temporary, full / part time / bank posts which may arise within the next 6 months in the Northern Trust, Learning Disability Services, East Antrim Supported Living and Short Break Services – Ellis Grove Supported Living Carrickfergus, Ellis Court Short Break Service Carrickfergus, Abbots Court Supported Living Service Newtownabbey and Clogrennan Supported Living Service Larne.

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.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, 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.

May 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Senior Support Worker

Band of Post: Band 5

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

Qualifications/ Registration

Experience

A Professional Social Work qualification or a First Level Nursing qualification (Adult, General or Learning Disability) plus 6 months experience in the care of children, young adults or people with a Learning Disability

OR

NVQ/QCF/RVQ level 2 in Care and have 2 years paid employment experience in the care of children, young adults or people with a learning disability

By date of appointment be registered with the appropriate recognised Regulatory body i.e. NISCC or NMC

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.

To be willing and able to work flexible hours as the service demands which will involve weekend work, wakening night duty and sleep in duties and work in other services

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Skills / Abilities

Clear verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

Effective IT skills required for the role

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to supervise and manage staff and the service

To provide leadership to the team

To work effectively with other professionals implementing various plans as directed

To work positively with individuals who can present with behaviours of concern

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Understanding of the role, responsibilities and accountability of the job

Knowledge and understanding of current Government policy in relation to Health and Personal Social Care

Knowledge and understanding of the needs of adults with learning disability and their carers

Clinical knowledge of specialist interventions relevant to adults with learning disability

Evidence and ability to formulate, implement monitor and review Care and Support Plans

Interview / Test

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. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, 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.

May 2026