SHSCT_Day Care Support Worker,Band 3

Job details

• Branch: Newry & Mourne area (SHSCT)
• Location: Dromalane-The Orchard Centre
• Directorate: Adult Community and Acute Services
• Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 11/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 26 May 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

Day Care Support Worker with Guide Help Duties

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

3

Adult Community Services

Orchard Day Centre – Newry

REPORTS TO

Day Care Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Assistant Director of Adult Community Services

Full-time working, Fixed working patterns,

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will work as a member of a team within day services meeting the assessed needs of individual adult service users with learning/physical/sensory/cognitive/frailty disabilities accessing day care services which may be centre based or within the wider community.

The post holder will also work as a member of the adult day care services to those 18+ and above, providing a safe escort for services users on designated transport between their home and day care facility according to each individual’s assessed needs. The emphasis will be on promoting and maintaining independence, upholding the dignity and human rights of each individual in meeting their assessed complex care needs, risk assessment, care plans whilst promoting and maintaining choice and independence, facilitating social inclusion and improving the quality of life of people with a learning/physical/sensory disability.

In working with some service users, there exists the potential for dealing with behaviours that challenge, which can take the form of physical and verbal aggression towards staff, carers, and others. Potential employees should be aware that such circumstances can arise and with training, should be confident of their ability to cope with such situations. Employees will be expected to support service users, carers, and other colleagues through such incidents.

Following a period of induction and training, the main duties will include

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Contribute to on-going multi-disciplinary team approach to Person Centred assessment of service user’s needs and implement agreed individual person centred care plan.

Contribute to individual care plans based on a person centred approach and be involved in monitoring and reviewing the care plan when required.

Work with individuals to meet the multi-disciplinary assessed need of service users with complex health care needs and/or complex behavioural needs and / or manual handling needs which can range in intensity and frequency.

Implement without direct supervision individual group programmes in and outside the centre.

Implement appropriate daily activities to meet the multi-disciplinary assessed need of service users, including those with complex care needs and /or behavioural needs.

Assist the Day Care Worker and multi-disciplinary with the delivery of programmes in accordance with Trust Policies.

Participate and support the physical and personal care needs of service users when required.

Assist with the provision of meals and follow individual risk assessed eating and drinking up to date guidance. Including alternative feeding requirements or arrangements

Report any untoward events, significant changes in the service user’s condition, demeanour or well-being which may suggest underlying concern to the day services staff as appropriate, using internal / external reporting systems in accordance with the Trust’s Client Access Policy.

Liaise and communicate appropriately and involve the service users and/or carer taking a holistic view of each individual and their circumstances.

Successfully achieve appropriate and maintain compliance with Trust mandatory and role specific training to ensure competency in supporting service users with their complex health care and/or behavioural needs. (this is covered in point 30 duplication)

Assist as required with the administration and recording of medicines in accordance with Trust policies and guidelines.

Adhere to all relevant Trust policies, procedures and relevant legislation e.g, Human Rights, Mental Capacity Act, Disability Discrimination Act etc.

Assist in the safe and effective running of the service and undertake duties, as delegated to ensure this eg Fire Safety checks.

Liaise with relevant others to ensure support services are appropriately informed to provide/maintained to the agreed level eg transport, meals, cleaning etc

Assist in monitoring the supply of materials/equipment and report low supply levels to the Day Care Worker in a timely manner.

Adhere to infection control standards, fire regulations and health and safety standards.

Adhere to the Regional Adult Safeguarding policy and identify and report concerns.

Treat all service users, carers and staff with appropriate respect and courtesy and regard all matters relating to the individual as confidential.

Promote and develop service user involvement within day services and liaise with carers as appropriate.

Ensure general hygiene cleaning in line with infection prevention control and environmental cleanliness standards.

Participate in a formal programme of staff induction, staff supervision, Individual Knowledge & Skills Framework/ Personal Development Plans and staff meetings.

Identify and report potential risk regarding service users, staff and others as appropriate to line manager.

Meet standards set by HPSS Regulation, RQIA, NISCC and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Ensure accurate record keeping within the day care centre which are consistent with legislative requirements, Trust policy and day services procedures, incident reporting and safeguarding reporting.

Guide Help Duties

When required to undertake guide help duties staff member should report to designated area each morning and afternoon. Monday – Friday with the hours determined by the service.

Read and understand care plans in relation to harnesses, over body and groin straps, ensuring the service user is secured before the commencement of the journey and throughout. All bags must be safely stored under the seat in front of the service user.

Monitor and supervise all service users on their journey to and from the Centre. The Guide help’s seated position is guided by the needs of the service user.

In accordance with the Trust’s manual handling policy and individual risk assessment/safe systems assist service users on and off the vehicle and within the centre as per assessed needs in service user’s care plan.

Be responsible for the safe handling of service users’ monies, medication

and personal effects between home and the Centre in accordance with Trust’s Day Care Financial Procedures, Security Policy and Medicine Management Procedures.

All checks completed in line with Standard Operational Procedures for the safe transportation of services users to and from day care. Relevant procedures will be made available for all day care and support staff in undertaking required duties.

Support Service users, where necessary, in the event he/she becomes unwell and provide First Aid as appropriate e.g. dealing with seizures. Observe and report on the process and general demine of the service users and maintain routine records as appropriate. Where there is a concern or risk identified in the course of service users journey to and from Day Care and report to the lead day care worker.

Flexibility in working hours and duties may be required in response to the needs of service users. This may include guide help duties, with hours to be determined by the service.

Understand that this post may evolve over time, and this Job Description will therefore be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. Any other duties of a similar nature maybe assigned by the manager as the circumstances dictate.

RAISING CONCERNS - 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 Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.

Ensure the Organisation’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 Organisation'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.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the [org name] 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.

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 Organisation’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 Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Day Care Support Worker Band 3

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

Adult Community Service

SALARY

HOURS

Full-time/Part-time

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

Essential Criteria

Number

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

E1

NVQ/QCF/VRQ/RQF Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification. ACS only

Hold NVQ/QCF/VRQ/RQF Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care

(ACS require level 2 plus one years’ experience)

OR

4 GCSE’s (grades A-C) or equivalent/higher qualification including English Language and 1 years paid experience delivering direct care in a care environment

OR

2 years paid experience delivering direct care in a care environment1

*Where NVQ / QCF Level 3 in Health & Social Care is not already held applicants must be willing to undertake and successfully complete this qualification within 18 months of appointment.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

E2

Be willing to undertake and successfully complete within 1 year of appointment QCF/RQF Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care

Shortlisting by Application Form

Registration

E3

Hold registration with Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) or be willing to register with NISCC on appointment.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

E4

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applications 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 this post.

Applicants may be expected to undertake driving duties as part of the Day Care role as required.

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Skills / Abilities

E5

Ability and willingness to assist with physical and personal care needs

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E6

Ability to work as part of a team whilst using own initiative.

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E7

Effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E8

Ability to cope with stressful situations

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E9

Ability to become involved in a range of opportunities/activities with adults with learning / physical / sensory / cognitive disabilities.

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E10

An interest and commitment to making a difference to service users with a learning / physical / sensory / cognitive disability

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

Desirable Criteria Number

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

D 1

Experience in working within

disability and adult community services

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

D 2

NVQ/QCF/VRQ/RQF Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Ref No: <to be inserted by HR>

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 Organisation 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.

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 Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE ORGANISATION 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.

are able 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.

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