Team Assistant/ Adolescent Worker Band 4 NHSCT

Job details

• Branch: Northern HSC Trust Area
• Location: Braid Valley Site: Main Building
• Directorate: Women, Children & Families Division
• Functional Area: Child & Family Care
• Salary: Band 4 (£27,485 - £30,162)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 06/07/26
• Closes: Tue, 21 July 2026 @ 5:00 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

Team Assistant/

Adolescent Support Worker

Band 4

Intensive Support Services

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Team Assistant / Adolescent Support Worker – Intensive Support Services

BAND: 4

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Children and Young People’s Services

INITIAL LOCATION: Braid Valley Hospital Site, Ballymena

REPORTS TO: Team Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director of Children and Young People’s Services

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

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.

JOB SUMMARY

The Team Assistant will be primarily responsible for assisting social work practitioners in the

provision of quality social work services to children and families. He/she will normally work

within a social work team. The Team Assistant will undertake tasks allocated by the team

leader to support social work team members in the discharge of their duties. The Team

assistant will also be expected to attend his/her professional development through training,

supervision and learning in line with NISCC registration.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Undertakes work under the direction of the Team Leader or Social Worker and in keeping with the assessed Care Plan for the young person.

To work collaboratively with the wider team, service and a range of professionals to

ensure congruency in practice and effective communication at all times

Assessment and responding to the needs of young people and their families in crisis to prevent family breakdown and maintain young people safely in the community

Ensure responsibility for management of own workload and participate in identifying and addressing developmental need

Undertakes the arrangement and delivery of services, assessed by social work staff as needed to support children and families.

Provide one to one support to young people, including in their relationships with their

families and developing their personal, social and educational opportunities

Undertakes tasks which have been delegated which may include co-ordinating family

support, diversionary and respite services, sourcing appropriate Family Support Services/Resources.

Ensure appropriate records are maintained, particularly those details observations and / or assessment of each young person in accordance with statutory requirements and policies and procedures.

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

Contribute to and participate in reviews, team meetings, in service training, supervision and individual programmes of care for each young person.

GOVERNANCE AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY

To report all identified Child Protection concerns or other areas of concern or risk identified in the course of undertaking tasks with children and families.

Maintain clear records of all work undertaken.

Provide reports on tasks undertaken on behalf of social work staff.

Participate in supervision process with team leader/ senior practitioner.

Ensure all information is treated with the utmost confidentiality.

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Maintain and develop knowledge and practice skills through supervision and training in line with the NISCC and employer requirements.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

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 NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

BAND 4 £27,485 - £30,162 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

HOURS

Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST

A Trust-wide waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 12 months.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

(May 2026)

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Team Assistant / Adolescent Support Worker – Intensive Support Services

Band of Post: 4

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.

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.

Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

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

Experience

NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care or relevant equivalent qualification plus two years’ relevant experience

OR

HNC/HND in relevant subject or relevant equivalent qualification plus one year’s relevant experience

OR

Four years’ relevant experience in working with children and families

AND

Either currently hold or be eligible for immediate registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council on the social care 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.

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends

Have a commitment to engage in supervision and development activity in order to ensure continuous professional development

Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Skills / Abilities

Effective Planning & Organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload

Ability to demonstrate care and empathy towards young people and families

Effective Communications and engagement skills to meet the needs of the post in full

Ability to produce clear written reports and records

Ability to work as part of a multi- disciplinary team

Ability to use own initiative

Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively

Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Knowledge of relevant legislation as it applies across all Client Groups

Knowledge of Microsoft office products including at least one of the core packages i.e. Outlook (Email) Word, Excel, Powerpoint or MS Access

Interview / Test

Value Based Recruitment

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

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.

THE NHSCT 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.

have the right 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.

(May 2026)