Job details
- Branch: Lisburn Area (SEHSCT)
- Location: Thompson House Hospital
- Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Opening Date: 22/06/26
- Closes: Tue, 07 July 2026 @ 5:30 PM
- Interview Dates: TBC
Notes
Online and manual applications accepted. Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
Senior Social Worker / Team Leader Adult Disability
Services
BAND
DIRECTORATE
INITIAL LOCATION
7
Adult Disability Services
Learning Disability Team, Thompson House, Lisburn
REPORTS TO
Community Services Manager
ACCOUNTABLE TO
FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE
Assistant Director Disability Services
Full-time working, Fixed working patterns
JOB SUMMARY
The successful candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary team of Social Workers; Social Worker/Care Managers, Assistant Care Managers and Community Learning Disability Nurses (CLDN) within the Adult Disability Services. He/she will be responsible for the planning, organisation and management of the work of the team and the effective performance of the team members.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical/Professional/Specific Managerial Responsibilities
To plan, prioritise, monitor and evaluate the work of the team.
To support, plan and implement individual care packages alongside community staff within agreed parameters of discretion.
To initiate and chair multi-disciplinary case and strategy discussions i.e. reviews, Vulnerable Adult meetings and ensure that a record of such are kept.
To provide appropriate consultation, supervision and training for designated staff.
Undertake a personal development contribution review (KSF) of designated staff at least annually and participate in training and staff development programmes.
To ensure that adequate records are maintained by team members and that necessary reports are produced to a high standard.
To ensure effective communication and liaison within the tem and with Social Services colleagues, other Professions, Statutory, Private and Voluntary agencies and Carers/Service Users.
To have a working knowledge of all current Legislation and Regional Trust policy relating to the delivery of Personal Social Services.
Will act up within Adult Disability Services as needs dictate.
To assist in the selection, recruitment and induction of professional and administrative staff.
Will participate in the formulation and implementation of Trust policy, paying particular attention to the contribution of the tem to the achievement of the Trust/Programme objectives and Priority for Action targets.
Will participate in all matters concerning discipline, grievance, untoward incidents and complaints in accordance to Trust requirements.
Will be responsible for the management of his/her own workload and participate in identifying and addressing own/teams developmental needs.
To increase own/teams awareness of other available funding opportunities and to make effective use of same.
Will participate and develop research-based practice relating to the area of Adult Disability as well as participate in Programme and Trust audit processes as appropriate.
Will facilitate the collation of information for Statutory Functions reports and monthly Governance reports.
Will undergo Designated Officer Training.
Will participate in agreed Performance Management and developmental planning and processes, i.e. training objectives.
Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic context
Seek, receive and allocate referrals within Trust standards.
Collate and assess information received.
Evaluate and review work with each team member.
Monitor, prioritise, evaluate, reallocate if necessary, the work of the team. Terminate and re-refer cases when appropriate.
Maintain confidential records as required.
Produce necessary reports as required.
Liaise with other professions, disciplines, statutory and voluntary agencies.
Facilitate the flow of information to and from the team.
Provide data a required for use in planning and monitoring of services.
Allocate money / aid within agreed discretion, and have day-to-day management of and responsibility for delegated budgets.
May be involved in student supervision.
Participate in the development and use of community resources.
Act as advocate for clients/client groups.
Investigate, provide information and take appropriate action in relation to untoward incidents and complaints.
Participate in uni-multi-disciplinary decision making and planning groups at Regional / Trust level.
Be responsible for the management of his/her own workload and be accountable for the teams workload.
Participate in the Trust’s Complaints Procedures where appropriate.
Provide support for carers (including parents) through appropriate assessment.
Identify shortfall in resources and appraise senior management accordingly.
Help to promote and develop teamwork, including parents and other carers through appropriate assessment.
Identify shortfalls in resources and appraise senior management accordingly.
Help to promote and develop teamwork, including the setting of individual and team objectives.
Will participate in the formulation of standards of performance of staff and the application of these standards.
May have responsibility for the day to day management of support services and the monitoring of their effectiveness.
Be responsible for ensuring that the agreed “Health and Safety at Work” procedures are carried out.
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.
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
The post holder will be required to
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
June 2026
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE Senior Social Worker / Team Leader
DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Adult Disability Services (Learning Disability Team) / Adult Services
SALARY Band 7
HOURS 37.5 per week
Ref No: 55712373 June 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 Organisation 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
Post qualifying experience extending over a minimum of three years with adult client groups or children.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Qualifications/ Registration
CQSW, CSS or
Diploma in SW qualification.
Registered with NI Social Care Council.
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 Organisation 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
Experience working with people with Learning Disabilities
Experience of working within Care Management System
Interview
Knowledge
Knowledge of relevant legislation re Disabilities.
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
Experience
Ability to demonstrate previous experience and sound knowledge of assessment and management of Risk.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Qualifications
Include equivalencies where necessary
Shortlisting by Application Form
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
