Advertised role location: Belfast HSCT
Official document: activity suport worker - JD updated version for use Sep-20 (pdf)
Updated August 2020
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Activity Support Worker
(Band3)
Location Supported Housing Schemes:
Cullingtree Meadows,
Sydenham Court Hemsworth &
Fairholme
Hours Full Time/Part Time
Reports to Senior Care Coordinator
Responsible to Manager of Supported Housing
Job Summary / Main Purpose
Research shows that activities are an essential part of daily living. Well-planned activities
help to provide structure, meaning, and achievement for the participant. Involvement in
meaningful activity can:
• Enhance physical, mental, social and emotional health.
• Provide opportunities for social interaction, emotional release that helps to delay
negative symptoms and promote positive aging.
• Develop competence; achieve mastery that promotes self-esteem and self-worth.
• Help people to realise their fullest potential and rediscover themselves.
• Enhance attention and adaptive skills that maximize independence.
• Experience pleasure, life satisfaction and enhance the quality of life.
Main Duties/Responsibilities

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➢ Develop action plans and activity programmes which focus on the unique needs and
aspirations of people with Dementia/ Mental Health Illness
➢ Demonstrate an awareness of the process of Dementia/Mental Health Illness
➢ Coordinate internal and external activities which are fair, inclusive and age appropriate
➢ Promote and advertise activities relevant to the individual/client group.
➢ Research information on activities, education opportunities, funding sources, materials
and equipment and to make a library of resources.
➢ Encourage and seek community links as a two-way interaction with the wider
community providing tenant/groups feelings of worth.
➢ Establish and be responsible for a library of information and materials. Encourage and
support staff in the delivery of activities facilitating and providing materials.
➢ Liaise with external agencies in the promotion of activities and education.
➢ Liaise with voluntary organisations such as: churches, community groups, local
hairdressers and libraries.
➢ Assist in the organising and accompaniment of tenants/groups on recreational trips
and structured activities within the home.
➢ Provide written and verbal reports on performance to ensure activity programmes are
reflective of the diversity of tenant/client group regardless of gender, race, disability,
culture and age.
➢ Facilitate small group activities and be able to demonstrate an understanding of group
work
➢ Encourage and support staff carryout household activities with tenants/groups such as
folding serviettes, table setting, sweeping the floor, washing and peeling vegetables,
light dusting and polishing.
➢ Recognise opportunities for meaningful activities for example; seasonal events and
special occasions such as: Christmas/Easter/Birthdays & Anniversaries

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➢ Co-ordinate and lead leisure activities that encourage active participation and social
interaction such as: Sing-a-long, listening to radio, knitting, walking, shopping, viewing
of family photographs, playing games, physical exercise, pet visits and craft work
➢ Act professionally when liaising with families and other professionals in person and/or
on the telephone
➢ Be responsible for other caring oriented tasks as may be required.
➢ Be registered with NISCC.
➢ Participate in in-house training and other courses as appropriate.
General Responsibilities
Employees of the Trust are 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.
▪ 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 the Health and Safety
Policies and Statutory Regulations.
▪ Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their
employment.
▪ Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
▪ Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
▪ Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.
Information Governance
All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records
held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast 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 Regulation (GDPR) and the
Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for

Updated August 2020
example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy
and to seek advice if in doubt.
For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to
the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR
Environmental Cleaning Strategy
The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness
matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed
who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a
clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and
members of the general public.
Infection Prevention and Control
The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all
staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation
to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard
Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety
of patients and staff.
This includes:-
• Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate
times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
• Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
• Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
• Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on
intranet);
• Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
• Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e.
cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
• Ensuring compliance with High Impact Intervention
Personal Public Involvement
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

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effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal 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
Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet
the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE / BAND: Activity Support Worker / Band 3
DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Supported Housing - ACOPS
Notes to applicants:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
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
Qualifications
Registration
Certificate in Community Care
or Social Care or NVQ Level II Care/QCF
Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care or
BTEC National Certificate in Care (Social Care)
or equivalent
PLUS
1 years’ caring/activity support work in a
Residential/Nursing/Community/Day
Care/Voluntary Sector setting or
18 months caring experience in a
Residential/Nursing/Community/Day
Care/Voluntary Sector setting
And
Must undertake the QCF Level 2 Diploma in
Health and Social Care within 12 months of
commencing post
Shortlisting by
Application form
Other (e.g.
Knowledge,
Skills,
Abilities,
Driving etc.)
A minimum of 1 years’ experience in a
professional paid capacity with older people
and/or people with Dementia and/or Mental
Health Illness/Learning Disability
Be registered with a Professional Body i.e.
NMC/NISCC or eligible to be registered with
NISCC
Shortlisting by
Application Form
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Desirable criteria 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. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor Criteria Method of
Assessment

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Experience
Qualifications
Registration
Experience of working with people with
Dementia and/or Mental Health illness /
Learning Disability.
Experience in working in a residential
home/nursing home/day centre/community
services for older people or people with
dementia/Mental Health Illness/ Learning
Disability
I.T. Skills
Shortlisting by
Application Form
NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if
shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates, and one photocopy of same, issued
by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should
be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of
same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an
alternative.
If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally
entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip,
National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the
Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.
Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will
be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times

Updated August 2020

Updated August 2020