SHSCT Senior Social Worker 14 Plus Newry Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Newry & Mourne area (SHSCT)
• Location: O'Hagan House, Monaghan Row, Newry BT35
• Directorate: Children & Young People's Services
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 21/08/26
• Closes: Fri, 04 September 2026 @ 4:00 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

JOB TITLE Senior Social Worker

BAND 7

DIRECTORATE Children and Young People’s Services

INITIAL LOCATION O'Hagan House, Monaghan Row, Newry BT35 8DJ 14 Plus Service. Newry

REPORTS TO Operational Service Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO Director of Social Services

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be responsible for the management of a team of social workers and personal advisors working with young people, care leavers and families within the 14 Plus service. The post includes responsibility for the quality of practice; planning and reviewing of work undertaken; developing a community focus; and participating in the multi-disciplinary approach to service delivery to improve outcomes for CIC and care leavers.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) Client Need

1. Reports to the Head of Service on the standards of Fieldwork Social Services within the specified area covered by the Team.

2. To arrange for the allocation of work to Team members and to deploy staff in a manner which will most effectively meet need and the responsibilities of the Trust.

3. To continually determine the day-to-day priorities of the Team and to take appropriate action to ensure that client need is met and that the Trust responsibilities are fulfilled.

4. To promote and develop a community perspective in terms of the provision and targeting of services.

5. To ensure that appropriate records are maintained regarding each client consistent with Trust policies, whether it be a manual or computerized information system.

6. To be responsible for monitoring and ensuring good standards of practice according to Department, Trust and Professional Legislation, Policies and Procedures and Guidelines.

7. To arrange and participate in Case Conferences, Reviews and other meetings.

8. To maintain good communication and liaison with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in the range of Child Care Services.

9. To assist in the development of the Trust’s overall strategy in relation to child care.

(b) Team Management

1. Allocates and supervises the work of staff within the Team.

2. Provides advice, support and supervision to staff within the Team.

3. Ensure the targeting of service to children in need.

4. To actively promote and develop on a multi-agency/professional basis, Children’s Services Plans.

5. Participates in monitoring and reviewing the professional standards and training of staff in relation to Child Care.

6. Participates in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down and approved by the Trust.

7. Reviews individually, at least annually, the performance of immediately subordinate staff and provides guidance on personal development requirements.

8. To maintain good industrial relations within the Team and manage industrial relations problems.

9. To participate in disciplinary and grievance procedures in accordance with the Trust’s policies.

10. To supervise students and facilitate the arrangement of placements, if required.

11. To ensure that the Team is run effectively with due regard to the Trust budget.

12. To ensure that files are maintained in accordance with Trust policy.

13. To review Team procedures and practices from time to time and to consider how these might be adapted and improved to provide an effective service to clients and their families.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

1. To undertake duties arising from current legislation as appropriate and required and liaise with other Team Leaders as it pertains to child care.

2. To facilitate the access of clients to their records in accordance with Trust policies and the Data Protection Act.

3. To participate in the duty system as back-up senior member of staff on a regular basis.

4. To actively maintain links with other professionals and agencies involved in the care of children and families in the community.

5. To maintain a positive and responsive image of the Team and the Trust in relation to other departments, agencies and public at large.

6. To maintain a positive and responsive image of the Team and the Trust in relation to other departments, agencies and public at large.

7. To keep the Head of Family Support informed of cases where difficulty has arisen and of other problems relating to the Team.

8. To ensure that effective communication exists within the Team, across to other Teams and the Head of Family Support.

9. To participate, as required, in whatever Trust management structures exist to ensure the consistent and effective delivery of Trust services.

OTHER RESPONSIBILTIES

1. To inform senior management of untoward events, accidents or criminal activity in accordance with Trust policies.

2. To work in safe manner in accordance with Health and Safety (NI) Order 1978 and Trust policy.

3. To be familiar with fire drill and safety precautions relevant to the office.

4. To observe the legislation and Trust policies concerning client access to records and Data Protection.

5. To observe strictly the principle of confidentiality.

6. To undertake out of hours rota as appropriate.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1. To be directly responsible and accountable to the Head of Service for the provision of an effective, efficient Family & Child Care Department.

2. To closely liaise with all Senior Managers in order to effectively discharge the stated duties of the post.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILTIES

1. Review individually, at least annually, the performance of immediately subordinate staff, provides guidance on personal development requirements and advises on and initiates, where appropriate, further training.

2. Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.

3. Review the organisation plan and establishment level of the service for which he/she is responsible to ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives, and recommend change where appropriate.

4. Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

5. Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

6. Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

5. Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

6. All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the 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 [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

7. 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.

8. 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.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND SOCIAL WORK TEAM MANAGER BAND 7

DEPARTMENT 14 PLUS SERVICE Newry

DIRECTORATE CYPS

HOURS 37.5 PER WEEK

Notes to applicants

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

At least three years post qualification experience.

1 Years experience working with children and families.

Shortlisting Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Professional Social Work Qualification (CQSW / CSS / BSW / DipSW) and be registered or have lodged an application with the NISCC

Other

Hold a full current driving license valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment¹

1 this criterion will be waived in the case of applicants who are prevented from driving due to a disability, providing the applicant can organise suitable alternative arrangements in order to meet the requirements of the post in full.

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

Skills / Abilities

An ability to sustain a professional social work perspective and provide an appropriate social work input into any multi-disciplinary context.

Effective communication skills written, verbal and interpersonal to meet the needs of the post in full.

Ability to work as an effective team member, act on own initiative and to be decisive in stressful situations.

Interview

Knowledge

Knowledge of statutory responsibilities of Social Workers and of organisational policy and procedures framework within which they are carried out.

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

• Experience of work in multi-disciplinary and/or inter-agency setting.
• Leadership qualities and/or experience of staff management or supervision.

Application Form

Knowledge, Training and Skills

• An interest in furthering social work knowledge and practice through participating on courses, conferences, professional association activity, training and research.
• Willingness to accept responsibility and authority.
• Awareness of the importance of administrative support and procedures of good record keeping.
• Have attained or be actively working towards attaining the Post Qualifying Award in Social Work.

(TO BE INCLUDED FOR TEMPORARY POSTS)

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.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

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