SHSCT_Day Opportunities Support Worker Band 3

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: Bannvale-Rosedale
• Directorate: Mental Health & Disability Services
• Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 05/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 19 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 Opportunities Support Worker

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

3

Mental Health and Disability Services

Trustwide – Location to be confirmed on appointment

REPORTS TO

Day Opportunities Co-ordinator

ACCOUNTABLE TO

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Specialist Services Manager

Full-time working

JOB SUMMARY

To work as a member of a peripatetic team under close supervision of management staff in the provision of individual and group programmes of care in the community setting.

The postholder will work closely with other Daytime Opportunity Workers, Community Development Officer and other professionals to facilitate social inclusion and community integration for Adults with a Learning Disability.

The postholder will also be required to liaise with other community groups and partner organizations to promote social inclusion for Adults with a Learning Disability.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Under supervision, implement individual and group programmes of care in a community setting, e.g. basic academic skills in a College setting, social skills training and Community living skills, designed to enhance and maximize the capabilities and independence of the client.

The post-holder will also be required to provide direct care to animals and direct horticultural programmes within a group setting working with Adults with a Learning Disability across the range of localities.

Contribute to individual care plans and review based on Person Centred Approach in line with Trust procedures.

Implement without direct supervision individual/group programmes in a community setting e.g. outdoor environmental projects throughout the seasons, including manual tasks. The postholder will be required to actively take part in a range of outdoor pursuits and enable adults with a learning disability to fully participate also.

Maintain appropriate records as required by the Trust.

Support clients with their physical and personal care needs.

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

Participate in a formal programme of supervision and staff meetings.

Liaise with Carers as appropriate.

Supervise/administer medication in accordance with Trust policies and RQIA guidelines and ensure effective recording.

Ensure that the procedures of the Trust are adhered to in respect of

Handling and security of money

Reporting to senior staff unusual behaviour of clients

Reporting of untoward incidents and complaints

Health and safety Regulations

Fire Prevention

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.

October 2023

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Day Opportunities Support Worker Band 3

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

Mental Health and Disability Services

SALARY

HOURS

37.5 hours per week

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

Experience

E1

Previous direct work experience with groups in a care setting. This experience should be as follows:

Previous paid experience: for at least 6 months within a caring role.

Or

Previous unpaid experience: Evidence of a minimum of 15 hours per week voluntary experience in a care setting

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

E2

GCSE English Language at Grade C or equivalent

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

E4

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 Organisation 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

E5

Ability and requirement to use own initiative and judgement skills

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E6

Excellent communication skills

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E7

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Interview / Test

Skills / Abilities

E8

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

E7

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

Work experience in a care setting for persons with learning disability

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

D 2

NVQ Level II in Social Care

Shortlisting by Application Form

Ref No: October 2023

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