Senior Support Worker Band 5

Job details

• Branch: Downpatrick Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: Down Supported Living
• Salary: Band 5 (£31,049 - £37,796)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 01/07/26
• Closes: Wed, 15 July 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

Title of Post: Senior Support Worker

Band of Post: Band 5

Directorate: Adult Disability Services

Reports to: Registered Manager – Down Supported Living Service

Accountable to: Operations Manager Regulated Services Adult Disability

Base Location: Down Supported Living Service – Downpatrick

Type of Contract: permanent

Hours: 37:30

The post holder is responsible to the registered manager for the discharge of duties under current legislation and Trust policy as it affects Adults with Disabilities. The post holder will work as part of a team to provide a flexible, responsive care and services to support service users in their homes. The post holder will work shift work rota as part of needs in 24/7 service to include sleep in and night duties and unsocial hours. The post holder will attend and provide daily handovers & complete shift planning tasks as part of the delivery of direct care.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Main Responsibilities.

Assess, plan and implement the services required from self and band 3 support staff within the Supported Living Service to meet the identified need of vulnerable service users.

Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities

Maintain registration on the relevant part of the NISCC Register.

Ensure personal accountability in accordance with the NISCC code of practice

Participate in the appraisal system to identify his or her training needs on an annual basis and ensure personal and professional development in accordance with NISCC requirements for self and Band 3 staff members.

To assist in the development of a high quality person centred service and assist in the development of the service according to the changing needs to include creation of duty rosters, maintenance of same in line with the provided budget and Trust policies and procedures.

Complete assessments of service users’ needs and develop care plans in accordance to these assessed needs.

Participate in monitoring and reviewing of service users.

Provide written reports for Multi-disciplinary meetings to help inform care planning processes.

Participate in monitoring and regular audits as service needs dictates.

Establish health, social and leisure activity/plans for service users.

Participate in meeting the physical, social and personal needs of service users.

Promote and assist in developing effective communication with families, friends and advocates of service users.

Advocate with and on behalf of service users.

Lead by example in the promotion of high standards of care, to ensure a quality service. This will include supporting adults with physical and emotional care needs.

Demonstrate commitment through regular attendance, efficient completion of duties and participation in department /team work activities.

Monitor and report on client’s progress and maintain accurate and up to date records.

Liaise with other professionals, disciplines, statutory and voluntary agencies.

Facilitate the flow of information to and from the Team Leader.

Undertake a supervisory and support role for co-working staff.

Implement an appraisal system for supervised co-workers, to include induction of new staff.

Fully participate in personal supervision and support with the manager.

To attend and contribute to team meetings.

To attend and contribute to keyworker meetings.

To ensure all staff are valued individually and equally.

To help create an environment where the team can develop effectively as a group and individually.

Share skills, knowledge and experience with team members and colleagues.

Ensure all relevant legislation, policy procedures and guidelines are adhered to.

Ensure the safe handling, storage administration and recording of medications and staff training.

Ensure financial procedures are adhered to and followed by completing regular audits and addressing any errors in line with financial policy as set by the Trust.

Maintain the building, furniture and fittings, in liaison with the Estates Department, to provide a safe, homely environment.

Adhere to Fire regulations

Report to management as required verbally and in writing.

Ensure Data is protected as per legislation.

To promote a positive image of the facility and the Trust.

Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic context.

Duty roster/Health roster creation and maintenance; ensuring appropriate shift cover as per assessed need. Where required communication with external agencies once same is approved by Registered Manager.

Accurate submission of pay time sheets for staff.

Management of absence by following Trust Attendance Management policy.

Supervision and Appraisal of staff.

Induction of new staff and support through NISCC workbook completion.

Strategic and Operational responsibilities

Comply with Departmental, Commissioner and Trust strategic plans and policies

Learning and Development responsibilities

Maintain professional registration with a Social Care Council.

Ensure personal accountability in accordance with the Social Care Council Code of Conduct.

Attend all mandatory training

Be responsible for own self-evaluation and participate in addressing own and departmental needs.

Disciplinary/Grievance/Absence related matters etc.

Will participate in all matters concerning discipline, grievance, untoward incidents and complaints where required

Participate in the Children (NI) Order 1995 Representation and Complaints Procedure where appropriate

Provide information for investigation relating to untoward incidents and complaints.

Compliance with all Trust policies and procedures

Will be expected to have a working knowledge of all current legislation and Board/Trust policy relating to the delivery of Personal Services.

The South Eastern Trust operates a “No Smoking” Policy and all employees must comply with this.

This job description is not meant to be definite or restrictive, and will be modified to meet changing needs. The designation, duties and location of the post may be subject to change in order to meet the needs of the service.

All staff employed in regulated 24/7 services are expected to work over the 5 days rota (unless otherwise specified) including evenings, night duties /or sleepover duties, weekends and public holidays.

The Trust welcomes application for flexible working hours from day one of employment which will be reviewed following the Trust Policy and procedures.

The South Eastern Trust’s 6 Key Themes are

Safety, Quality and Experience

The Trust will ensure that services are safe, of a high quality and contribute towards improving the experience and outcomes for patients, clients and carers.

Access

The Trust will ensure that patients and clients receive services in a timely and accessible manner.

Health and Wellbeing

The Trust will develop partnerships with other organisations, interested groups and communities to promote and maintain health and wellbeing.

Efficiency and Service Reform

The Trust will continue to focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of services, improve organisational capability within available finances.

Our Staff

The Trust will continue to build a stable, highly motivated workforce that is committed to a culture of continuous development and ultimately service improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement

The Trust will ensure that it listens to and learns from patients, clients, carers and other interested parties in the planning and delivery of services.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

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

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 South Eastern HSC Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern HSC 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 HSC Trust’s 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.

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.

December 2020

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Senior Residential 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. 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

Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section

Method of Assessment

Experience/

Qualifications/ Registration

NVQ/QCF Level 3 in Care or equivalent plus 2 year’s relevant experience

Or

HNC/D in relevant subject plus 1 years’ relevant experience.

Or

NVQ/QCF level 2 in care or equivalent and 4 year’s relevant experience

If Social Care Staff must be registered with NISCC

Hold a current 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 applicant whose disability prohibits driving but has access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which permits them to carry out the duties of the post

Hold qualification in or be willing to be trained in MAPA.

Flexible approach to 24/7 services and ability to work range of shifts to include but not limited to day shifts, evening, sleepovers and night shifts where required.

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

Skills in dealing with crises and challenging behaviour

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Skills and knowledge to work with adults with disabilities and challenging behaviour

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

Paid experience working with Adults with disabilities

Paid experience dealing with Challenging Behaviour

Shortlisting by Application Form

If this post is being sought on secondment then the individual MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application.

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

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