Advertised role location: Carrick CSC, Ellis Street
Official document: NHSCT Senior SW Practitioner B7 LD Carrick Oct 26 (docx)
Senior Practitioner:
Learning Disability
(also responsible for Transition process within team)
Job Description
Senior Practitioner:
Learning Disability
(also responsible for Transition process within team)
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: Senior Social Work Practitioner
BAND: Band 7
DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Wellbeing
LOCATION: Learning Disability Team, Ellis Court, Carrickfergus
REPORTS TO: Multi- disciplinary Team Leader
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Assistant Director, Learning Disability
JOB SUMMARY:
The post holder will work in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues to provide an appropriate and consistent response to service users and carers within Learning Disability Services
KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
To implement relevant legislation, Department and Trust Policy and procedures
Carry out the duties of an Approved Social Worker under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986. Or if not qualified, undertake the training within a specified timescale
Responsibility for managing an allocated workload and establishing priorities within it. With particular focus on transition cases within the team.
To develop appropriate packages of care to support people with learning disabilities to remain in their own home to obviate the need for residential and/or hospital care where possible
Work alongside multidisciplinary colleagues to engage effectively with service users and carers.
Collate information from a range of relevant sources to inform decision-making in relation to assessment of risks, needs, care planning, service provision, monitoring and review.
Participate in multidisciplinary/multi-agency reviews and case conferences as appropriate.
Work in accordance with Regional Adult Protection procedures.
Contribute to effective evidence based risk assessment and management plans.
Contribute to effective discharge planning.
To be aware of the full range of providers in the community and work in partnership with other agencies
Provide appropriate therapeutic interventions to service users.
Support Team Leader to ensure all statutory and Trust requirements are adhered to by Team members.
Provide consultation, advice and support to team colleagues in relation to specific cases and areas of specialist interest.
Provide operational/professional social work supervision as required
Maintain accurate and up to date records.
Contribute to identifying unmet need and developing services.
On site supervisor for social work students / as appropriate undertake Practice Assessor for ASW candidates
Participate in Audit and Quality Assurance initiatives as appropriate.
Support the implementation of AYE and induction standards in partnership with the Team Leader.
Ensure the social work aspect of service users is fully represented in the multidisciplinary setting.
Contribute to the raising of standards in Social Work practice.
Participate in regular professional supervision.
Participate in the Division’s Professional Social Work Forums.
Undertake Care Management Audit and provide assurance re compliance in teams.
Undertake Bespoke-resourcing Reviews with MDT and Providers.
Complete complaint and enquiry investigations and draft complaint responses.
Provide assurance for work related to management of Community Beds.
Support to Team Leaders – in staff performance, sign off of assessments/reviews/care plans.
Deputise for Team Leader in their absence as required
Attendance at Trust and Regional meetings as required by Line Manager
Attendance at Independent provider Contract Review Meetings.as required
Ensure practice is in compliance with Mental Capacity Act (2016)

In partnership with the operational Team Leader and professional line manager, undertake relevant professional development activities to develop work experience and competence in an area of specialist interest such as:-

Approved Social Worker role
Mental Capacity Act
Mental Health ( NI) Order 1986
Self-Direct Support, Direct Payments
Promoting Quality Care
Professional Social Work supervision
Transitions of children into Adult Services
.

General Management responsibilities
Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HPSS managers which states that managers will be expected to work with integrity, honesty and openness, probity, accountability and respect, available on www.dhsspsni.gov.uk.
Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;
It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these.
Where the postholder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;
Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;
Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;
Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;
Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;
Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;
Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;
Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;
Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.
Make sure that staff are aware of trust policies regarding the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.
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 7 £47,810 - £54,710 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK
Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS
Normal full-time hours of duty are 37.5 hours per week, exclusive of meal times
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.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.
WAITING LIST
A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 6 months in Carrickfergus.
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.

October 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Senior Social Work Practitioner

Band of Post: 7

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
Hold a recognised Professional qualification in social work

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

Hold an Approved Social Worker Qualification or/ required to undertake the ASW Programme within an agreed timeframe as directed by Head Of Service (normally within three years maximum)
Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience
4 years’ post qualifying experience at Band 6
PLUS
Minimum of 1 year’s post qualifying experience of working within a Learning Disability Service in the role of Social Worker


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

Good communication skills
Ability to manage a complex caseload
Ability to work in partnership with voluntary and statutory services within learning disability programme of care
Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Demonstrate ability to provide advice, guidance and support to social workers and if appropriate other staff
Demonstrate ability to work independently with minimum supervision
Demonstrate ability to effectively manage risk and work within the financial constraints

Interview / Test

Knowledge
Knowledge of policies and procedures applicable to Learning Disability Services
Knowledge of Mental Health NI Order
Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2016)
Knowledge of the drivers within the Learning Disability services.
Knowledge of statutory and voluntary support services.
Knowledge of professional supervision.
Knowledge of Audit and evidence based practice.
Knowledge of monitoring procedures mechanisms.
Knowledge of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency setting

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.

Essential Leadership Capabilities
The successful candidate will need to provide evidence and demonstrate their Leadership capabilities against the required dimension on the NHS Leadership framework.
A shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore essential that all applicants demonstrate through their application how and to what extent their experience and qualities are relevant to this post and the extent to which they satisfy each criterion specified. An assessment centre may also be used as part of the short-listing process.
Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The dimensions concerned are given in the Healthcare Leadership Model details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model.
Particular attention will be given to the following:
Inspiring shared purpose
Leading with care
Evaluating information
Connecting our service
Sharing the vision
Engaging the team
Holding to account
Developing capability
Influencing for results

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.
October 2026