SHSCT_Lead Social Worker Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: Trustwide –Base will be determined on ap
• Directorate: Mental Health & Disability Services
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 08/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 22 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: Social Work Professional Lead

BAND: 7

INITIAL LOCATION: TBC

REPORTS TO: Team Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Service Older Peoples Mental Health

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will assist the Team Leaders with the implementation and delivery of an integrated model of care. He/she will work closely with the Team Leaders and other professional lead colleagues to ensure there is a co-ordinated and integrated approach to the allocation, assessment, delivery and monitoring of high quality and safe care.

The post holder is required to offer advice, guidance, and support to community teams supporting complex social work cases and all aspects of case management. The post holder will co-work cases known to the community team with the designated social worker and in exceptional cases may be required to assume full responsibility for a case. The post holder will assume lead responsibility for adult safeguarding and is required to undertake DAPO role, as appropriate. As professional lead, the post holder will ensure that all social work and social care practices comply with the requisite professional standards expected by the Trust as well as the NISCC Code of Practice for Social Work and Social Care Workers. The post holder will also assist the Team Leaders with service planning, financial and resource management.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Delivery and Quality

Oversee the social work staff and provide guidance, support and professional advice to all social work staff in the management of their caseload.

Will ensure robust systems and processes are in place to support the delivery of high quality and safe care in accordance with the discharge of statutory functions and all requisite standards.

Support the Team Leader and work closely with other professional leads to ensure the implementation of clear and transparent care pathways to support the efficient co-ordination of person-centred care and effective integrated working arrangements.

Ensure and oversee the delivery of high quality social work/social care services and compliance with professional standards “Standards of Conduct and Practice for Social Workers/Social Care Workers” Northern Ireland Social Care Council 2015.

Ensure compliance with all DHSSPS circulars and guidance on care management processes and case management of health and social care needs.

The post holder will have responsibility for ensuring the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 where appropriate. This will include:

Supporting members of the multi-disciplinary team to determine when it is appropriate to apply for a Deprivation of Liberty.

Participating in the Deprivation of Liberty application process for example contributing to the best interest decision making process; quality assuring documentation and process; responding to Attorney General and Review Tribunal queries.

Ensures social workers understands the mixed economy of care and develops robust working relationships with colleagues in the community and voluntary and independent sectors, to promote a community development approach in support of the service-user.

Undertake an Adult Safeguarding role, either as a Designated Adult Protection Officer (DAPO) or an Investigation Officer as per the 2015 DHSSPS Adult Safeguarding Policy (Prevention and Protection in Partnership).

Support the Team Leader to ensure the services provided by Social Work and Social Care staff in the team comply with DHSSPS‘s Patient and Client Experience Standards.

Assist the Team Leader with the identification, assessment and management of individual and team risk and where appropriate escalate to the Divisional/Directorate Risk Register.

To support the Team Leader to ensure the processing and management of complaints comply with the Trust’s policy and procedures and are underpinned by transparency and a culture of continuous improvement.

Facilitate the professional learning environment for all social work / social care staff within the team and support social work / social care staff in their continued professional development and to promote the enhancement of the social work role.

Facilitate social work student placements and provide an opportunity for students to observe and experience high quality social work practice.

To take a lead role in embedding the Think Family approach into practice and provide advice, guidance and support in child protection cases.

Service Planning and Modernisation

To complete quality improvement training as identified via KSF appraisal process.

Support the Team Leader with service planning and modernisation. This will include identifying and undertaking social work quality improvement initiatives which will improve the service-users/carers experience, improving quality of care and creating efficiencies in service provision.

Support the Team Leader to develop more effective partnership working with families, carers and other agencies in line with the Trust’s corporate commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Actively participate and engage in all appropriate Social Work Forums.

Identify social work training needs and pro-actively seek training opportunities through networking with the Training and Development Service and contributing to the annual Training Need Analysis.

Promote the role of social work within an integrated team by actively contributing to working groups and projects to develop services.

Adult Protection Responsibilities

Provide advice and support to colleagues on the team/division in relation to safeguarding concerns and the thresholds for adult protection investigations.

Undertake the role of Designated Adult Protection Officer across the directorate and participate in the operational delivery model as set out by the Directorate. This will include maintaining appropriate records as per the regional procedures, Trust guidance and professional standards.

Coordinate Joint Protocol investigations as per the Joint Protocol for Adult Protection investigations 2016 as required.

Engage in direct work with the adult and their family demonstrating a rights based practice approach

Ensure an effective risk assessment and protection plan is completed and monitored including where appropriate a carer’s assessment.

Ensure support of the adult in need through the investigation process and keep him/her informed of progress.

Identify needs and supports which may be needed by the alleged person to have caused the harm and where appropriate refer on for professional input/support.

Work closely with key stakeholders to deliver timely responses and actions as agreed at strategy planning and to ensure good communication with relevant parties on progress and outcomes.

Provide investigation reports for case conference/review. This report must include an analysis of the findings, risks and on-going concerns.

Engage in regular professional supervision and reflective practice of adult protection work

Regularly attend Trust support meetings for Investigating Officers/Designated Officers and Joint Protocol/ABE staff

Undertake training to conduct pre interview assessments and Achieving Best Evidence interviews as required by the Trust.

Participate in audit, quality improvement and practice learning opportunities in relation to adult protection activity and service development.

People Management

Provide support to the social work/care staff within the Team.

Deputise for the Team Leader as and when required.

Will lead on improving cultural change across community teams and the wider services in line with Delivering Together 2026, with particular attention to demonstrating evidence based practice, data driven decision making, collective leadership, collaborative working with other services and with the community and voluntary and independent sector and other agencies.

Support the Team Leader with the effective implementation of all Trust HR/People Management policies within the team and the achievement of all relevant targets such as those relating to the completion of personal development plans.

Support the Team Leader with all social work, workforce planning and reform initiatives.

Act as a champion and role model for the highest standards of professional social work practice.

Support the Team Lead and Divisional Social Work Lead with the implementation of profession specific actions to meet the Trust’s integrated governance agenda.

Represent Social Work and actively contribute to working groups and fora.

Ensure the Social Work workforce within the service area has the requisite knowledge and skills to function effectively in their role and that there is compliance with statutory / mandatory training and supervision requirements.

Provide professional supervision as required in accordance with NISCC standards.

Provide assurance to the Divisional Lead and Directorate Lead Social worker on all professional governance and service user / carer issues within the team as appropriate, with particular reference to delegated statutory functions.

Provide professional advice/support to Team Leaders as required.

Ensure that all Social Work, Social Care staff and wider team members understand child protection procedures and their role and responsibilities relating to child protection.

Support social workers within the team to develop and implement innovation and best practice models of care, ensuring improvement in standards, service users outcomes, safety and experience

Financial and Resource Management

Support the Team Leader/s to ensure most effective and efficient use of available resources through monitoring to include up-to-date assessment, appropriate commissioning and minimum of annual review of community services, e.g. domiciliary care, direct payments, residential and nursing home placements, day care, day opportunities and short breaks.

Assist the Team Leader/s as appropriate with the effective implementation of all Trust financial policies and procedures, to deliver the expected service and budget agreement.

Governance

Adhere to all legislative standards, policies, procedures and codes of conduct relating to social work practice

Establish support systems to support the implementation of identified standards and assist team leader to develop work plans to implement these support systems.

Comply within the NISCC Codes of Practice and ensure all team members practice within the code.

Actively promote a team working ethos and act as a champion for integrated service provision and multi-disciplinary working.

As required, provide professional high quality advice on social work issues.

Along with the Team Leader, monitor the workload of team members to ensure equal distribution of work and caseloads.

Contribute to the development of the Trust’s social work policies, procedures and guidelines for adults with disabilities.

Participate in and advise on audits of social work practice.

Provide professional supervision to team members in accordance with the Trust’s Adult Supervision Policy.

Participate in the induction and orientation of new social work/social care staff and ensure monitoring arrangements are in place.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILTIES

Participate in annual review regarding the performance of social work/social care staff, provide guidance, on KSF and PDP.

Contribute to the maintenance of staff working relationships within the integrated team.

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

Participate, as required, in the recruitment, selection, interview and appointment of staff within the integrated teams in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Support Team Leader in action as may be necessary in capability/disciplinary matters with regard to professional social work practice in accordance with Trust procedures.

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 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 exception, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Acts 1998.

Employees are required to be conversant with the Trusts policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, including full participation in KSF Development Reviews/appraisals, 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 Service Users 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.

Available / able to work any 5 days out of 7 over the 24 hour period, which may include on-call / stand-by / sleep-in duties, shifts, night duty, weekends and Public

Holidays if required immediately on appointment or at a later stage following commencement in response to changing demands of the service.

Understand that this post may evolve over time, and that this Job Description will therefore be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

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.

July 2024

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Social Work Lead Band 7 ( Community Mental Health Team)

DIRECTORATE Mental Health and Disability Services

SALARY

HOURS 37.5 per week

Ref No: July 2024

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

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Hold a professional Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, Dip SW, CQSW or equivalent).

Have NISCC registration or be eligible for immediate registration or have lodged an application with NISCC.

A minimum of three years post-qualifying experience, with one year working with people with mental illness/ dementia

One year’s experience as an Adult Safeguarding Investigating Officer.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

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

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

An ability to promote the rights of people with Mental Illness/ dementia and their Carers whilst ensuring that professional standards are maintained in the assessment need and provision of services.

Ability to work effectively with other professions and across programmes of care with a multi-disciplinary focus on providing good quality and co-ordinated services for Adults with a Mental Illness/ dementia .

Knowledge of relevant statutory responsibilities and of the organizational and policy framework within which they are carried out.

Knowledge of the responsibilities encompassed in the DAPO and IO roles and of the 2015 Adult Safeguarding Policy.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) Act 2016.

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

Ability to deliver high quality, flexible and cost effective services within a dedicated budget or resource and to meet specified targets.

Interview

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

Minimum of one year’s experience of delivering formal supervision

Interview

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