Social Worker, Fostering Team Band 6 SEHSCT

Job details

• Branch: Trustwide (SEHSCT)
• Location: Warren House & Children's Centre
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 06/07/26
• Closes: Tue, 21 July 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To Be Confirmed

Notes

A waiting list may be compiled for any similar posts that arise over the next 12 months. PLEASE PRINT OFF THE JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR APPLICATION. Online and manual applications accepted. Manual applications should be posted to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh BT61 7PR Applications which arrive after the advertised closing date/time will not be considered.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Social Worker, Children’s Disability Overnight Short Breaks Fostering Service

BAND: Band 6

DIRECTORATE: Children’s Disability Service

REPORTS TO: Senior Social Worker

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director of Children’s Services

LOCATION: Warren Children’s Service

CONTRACT: Permanent

HOURS: 37.5 hours

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder under the guidance of the Senior Social Worker and the team will help further develop and implement the Children’s Disability Overnight Short Breaks Fostering Service and gather data relevant to its on-going evaluation.

The aim is to support families with children and young people with disabilities who are known to the Children’s Disability Service, by providing overnight short break provision.

The post holder will recruit, assess and monitor foster carers who will provide overnight short break and to children and young people with disabilities.

The post will be based in the Children’s Disability Service.

The post holder will ensure foster care applicants attend all required fostering training and facilitate and help develop training specific to this group of children and young people such as PBS positive behaviour support training.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate in a recruitment campaign for the foster carers.

Complete assessments in line with National Standards of Foster Carers.

Present assessments to Panel in a timely and appropriate manner.

Attend, facilitate and help develop training for the foster carers.

An effective Team member and contribute to the overall performance of the Team.

Responsibility for a caseload determined by the Senior Social Worker.

To prioritise own work and use diary to achieve effective caseload management.

Develop effective relationships with foster carers, children, young people and their families to provide a high-quality service which will improve outcomes for the children and young people within the service.

Employ a partnership working approach with the various members of the multi-disciplinary team to promote and implement the Signs of Safety and Positive Behaviour Support models and a child centred approach to service users in their home, school or community.

Complete supervisory visits to foster carers on a monthly basis (minimum) in line with National Standards of Foster Cares.

Monitor and support carers ensuring that they provide a flexible and safe service to the young person in placement.

Liaise with statutory social workers and agree a plan of work with the foster carers which is inclusive of families.

Monitor progress and attend all meetings in respect of the plan of work.

Ensure that Foster Carer Annual Reviews are completed within statutory timescales with training needs clearly identified.

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

Have a working knowledge of all current legislation and Board/Trust Policy relating to the delivery of Personal Social Services.

Maintain accurate and appropriate records.

May undertake student supervision if appropriate.

Prepare and participate in supervision on a monthly basis with SSW.

Carry out duties as required during the evenings or weekends and accept out of hours contact.

Alongside the Team Leader, lead the development and implementation of various communication strategies required for individual service users such as Makaton, PECS or social stories. This will be done in partnership with Behaviour Practitioners and/or Allied Health Professionals within the service.

Model or demonstrate effective strategies and techniques to support service users.

Assist in the delivery of relevant training in Trust and across other organisations as required.

Support the Senior Social Worker with inductions, support, guidance and mentoring of new staff as required.

Undertake duties in connection with the proper receipt, recording and safe custody of public and Trust monies.

Assist in the range of administrative tasks required by the team.

Ensure records, incident reports and relevant data are appropriately completed, recorded and stored in accordance with statutory requirements, Trust standards and policies and procedures with particular reference to data protection and confidentiality.

Under the guidance of the Senior Social Worker participate in practice developments and quality initiatives, quality assurance and audits as required in the pursuit of continuous quality improvement across the service.

Maintain NISCC registration and ensure personal accountability in accordance with the NISCC code of practice.

Participate in the supervision and appraisal process to achieve the required practice standards and identify training needs on an annual basis to ensure personal and professional development in accordance with NISCC requirements.

Be accountable to the Senior Social Worker, and to report and escalate, incidents, events, risks and developments as appropriate.

Demonstrate the relevant knowledge, skills, values and resilience to undertake the role.

Participate in all required mandatory and professional training and supervision in accordance with guidance agreed with the Team Leader.

Use evidence-based practice to support continuous improvement within the service.

Flexibility to work some planned evenings and at weekends as required to meet the needs of the service users.

To carry out any other duties as specified by the Senior Social Worker.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organisation supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Organisational policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins The Organisation’s values. The post holder will be required to:

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

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 South Eastern H&SC 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 H&SC Trust 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.

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.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

February 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Social Worker

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Children’s Disability Service Fostering Team/Childrens Services & Social Work

SALARY Band 6

HOURS 37.5 per week

Ref No: 55501120 February 2026

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

Experience

Professional Social Work Qualification

Completed AYE first year in practice

Experience of working in a fostering service

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Current registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) on the social work part of the register.

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

Undertaking recruitment, assessment and/or support and development role with foster carers

Ability to work in a computer literate environment

Accomplished presentation and IT skills

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Knowledge of legislation, policy, procedures and current issues in family and children’s services.

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

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Professional Awards through PIP Framework or equivalent

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

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. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. 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