Advertised role location: Warren House & Children's Centre
Official document: Job Description/Personnel Specification (Updated 27/10/2026) (docx)
Support Worker Band 4

Early Intervention/Prevention

Children’s Disability Service

Support Worker Band 4

Early Intervention/Prevention

Children’s Disability Service

JOB DESCRIPTION


JOB TITLE
Early Intervention/Prevention Service
Support Worker Band 4
Children’s Disability Service

BAND

Band 4

DIRECTORATE

Looked After Children & Disability Support Services

INITIAL LOCATION

Warren Children’s Centre Lisburn
The person appointed, although based in a specific office, will be expected to provide Trust wide service as required.

REPORTS TO
Team Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO

TYPE OF CONTRACT

HOURS

Head of Service Children’s Disability

Permanent

37.5 hours may require some flexible working evenings and weekends to meet the needs of service users.

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be aligned to the Early Years Team and work as part of the wider multi-disciplinary group across the Children’s Disability Service to provide flexible, timely, responsive community based early years support to our service users, who are children and young people with learning disability or complex health and/or behavioural needs and their families.

The post holder will provide time limited, needs led individual one to one support and group work activities such as the Incredible Years, sleep and toileting programmes and Wellness, Recovery Action Plans (WRAPS). The post holder will also support service user participation in local community resources and summer supports, helping to enhance parental capacity and facilitate day short breaks.

The post holder may be required to engage in some flexible working in the evenings and at weekends. Most of the work will be planned but at times it may be crisis driven depending on the needs of the children and their families.

The post holder will work within required Trust policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols and codes of conduct and engage in all relevant training.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Undertake delegated tasks with service users in accordance with established policies, procedure and protocols and as directed by the Team Leader.

Develop appropriate relationships with service users and undertake the required caring duties and tasks, ensuring they meet the standards set out in the Children (NI) Order 1995 and Trust policies and procedures.
Deliver services assessed as being needed to support service users as part of their ongoing Family Support, Looked After Children or Child Protection plan and contribute to the ongoing assessment of need.
Work in partnership with the other team members to ensure that the care given to service users is in line with their individual Care or Family Support Plan and focus on achieving outcomes that are closely monitored.
Assist with planning, preparation and delivery of various programmes on an individual and/or group basis designed to meet the identified needs of service users.

Be confident in own ability to work with service users who can present with challenging behaviours towards themselves and the staff and have the resilience to cope with any accompanying stress.

Appropriately support and care for service users when they are in crisis or experiencing significant challenges.
Recognise and respond to situation that present risks in order to safeguard the service user, escalate as appropriate to Team Leader and accurately record decisions and outcomes.
Understand of how to respond to and effectively report any safeguarding disclosures or concerns as defined by Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland’s policies and procedures, ensuring it is reported to the Team Leader / Shift Coordinator or On-call and recorded as required.
Identify local community or voluntary resources and support service users by linking them in as appropriate.

Organise and delivery community based activities, supporting the participation of service users on an individual and group basis.

Promote or undertake personal care duties for service users where required. This will include feeding, toileting and the administration of medication as per individual Care Plans.

Liaise with relevant staff and key stakeholders across the range of statutory, voluntary and community agencies involved in the care, treatment or education of service users.

Prepare and maintain reports, position papers and other documentation appropriate to the job role.

Attend and contribute to a range of meetings appropriate to the job role.

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

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

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.

Transport service users to activities and outings in either Trust vehicles or the staff member’s own car.

Assist with 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.

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 direct line manager and Team Leader, 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 Team Leader.

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.

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

Oct 2026



PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION


JOB TITLE AND BAND


Early Intervention Support Worker
Children’s Disability Service
Band 4


DEPARTMENT/ DIRECTORATE

Looked After Children & Disability Support Services


SALARY

Band 4


HOURS

37.5.


Ref No: 55983091
October 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


Qualifications/
Experience


QCF/RQF/NVQ Level 3 in a care related subject AND 1 years paid experience working with children, young people or adults with learning disability or complex health or behavioural needs.
OR
QCF/RQF/NVQ Level 2 in a care related subject AND 2 years paid experience working with children, young people or adults with learning disability or complex health or behavioural needs and a willingness to complete a QCF/RQF level 3 in a care related subject within the first two years of employment.
OR
4 years paid experience working with children, young people or adults with learning disability or complex health or behavioural needs and a willingness to complete a QCF/RQF level 3 in a care related subject within the first two years of employment.


Shortlisting by Application Form









Registration

By date of appointment have an application in progress to be listed on the NISCC Register of Social Care Workers (Part 2) and maintain registration throughout employment.


Shortlisting by Application Form




Other

Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends may be required.

May be required to work across the Children’s Disability Teams.

Hold or must successfully complete My Safety Intervention training within 3 months of appointment and maintain MSI accreditation (through completion of yearly refresher training involving written/practical testing).

Must hold a full, valid driving licence with unrestricted entitlement to drive in the UK; licences valid only for a limited period under overseas driving entitlement arrangements are not acceptable. Also have access to a car on appointment and be able to drive Trust manual vehicles upon 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

Understanding of all aspects of the role as set out in the job description.

Experience of Safeguarding children or adults with learning disability or complex health or behavioural needs.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills when working with service users.

Proven ability to empower and advocate for service users.

Evidence of a strong value base.

Ability to organise, plan and prioritise tasks and be accountable for own workload and time management.

Ability to plan and facilitate group based activities.

Evidence of being able to work independently and as a team member to achieve clear objectives and tight timescales.

Ability to effectively use both verbal and written communication.

Evidence of computer skills including the use of Microsoft Word, email systems and the internet as a research tool.

Good recording and report writing skills and the ability to deliver complex information in understandable terms.

Ability to work under stressful and demanding conditions.

Evidence of a high a level of resilience and sustainability.

Ability to be flexible and adapt to any changing needs in the service and for service users.

Willingness to engage in suitably identified training


Interview


Knowledge/Experience

Relevant legislation, policies and procedures in respect of Family Support, Safeguarding and Looked After Children relevant to this post.

Understanding of the expectations in respect of confidentiality.


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


Skills/ Abilities

Experience of working with individuals with communication difficulties including Makaton, PECS, social stories.

Currently have My Safety Intervention Training accreditation.


Shortlisting by Application Form


Knowledge/Experience


Evidence of knowledge of the Positive Behaviour Support Model.


Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation 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 ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER.  PLEASE CLICK ON LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - Equal Opportunities Employer - HSCNI Jobs

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
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times