SHSCT_Outreach Worker_Band 5

Advertised role location: Initially Bluebell House
Official document: Job Description / Personnel Specification (docx)
Outreach Worker Band 5
Children with Disabilities Service

Outreach Worker Band 5
Children with Disabilities Service


JOB DESCRIPTION


JOB TITLE:
Outreach Worker CWD Services

BAND:

5

DIRECTORATE:
Children and Young People’s Services

INITIAL LOCATION:
Bluebell House, 27 Windsor Hill, Rathfriland Road Newry, BT34 1ER

REPORTS TO:

Outreach Team Leader , CWD Service

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Assistant Director, Corporate Parenting, Children & Young People’s Services.

JOB SUMMARY:
The post holder will be aligned to the CWD Outreach Team and work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary group across the Children’s Disability Service to provide flexible, timely, responsive community based supports, interventions and early help 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 lead and provide needs led individual one to one outreach and in reach support, group work and outdoor activities and service user participation in local community resources and summer supports, facilitating day short breaks for parents and carers.

The post holder will be required to work on a rota basis primarily 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. Additionally, liaison with the statutory, voluntary and private sector is necessary to fulfil the duties of the post.


KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure that the needs of children, young people and their families /carers are at the core of how the Trust delivers Corporate Parenting responsibilities for Children and Young People within Children’s Disability Services.

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 co-ordinator responsibilities to help and support staff to take on 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.

Assist with the co-ordination and delivery of services assessed as being needed to support service users as part of their ongoing Family Support, Children in Care 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 the co-ordination of the 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.

Identify local community or voluntary resources and support service users by linking them in as appropriate.

Help co-ordinate the organisation of 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 and toileting 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.

Help co-ordinate the transportation of 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.

Flexibility to work a shift pattern that require mornings, evenings, weekends where rostered to meet the needs of the service users.

Professional management and governance

Assist the Team leader regarding staff induction and delegation of direct supervision and line management of care staff and mentor/support students in placement as appropriate.

Assist in the delivery of relevant training in Trust and across other organisations as required.

Identify and address poor performance and practice through the supervisory process and liaise with the Team Leader.

Collate and provide data on outcome measures as required and participate in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the service through discussions with Team Leader, Operational Manager and Head of Service.

Participate in practice development and quality initiatives, quality assurance and audits as required in the pursuit of continuous quality improvement across the service.

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 Operational Manager, 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.


Quality Improvement

Use evidence based practice to support continuous improvement within the service.

Participate in audit activity such as GAIN re Supervision Policy and Administrative Systems & Recording Policy, and other audit activity.

Contribute to the promotion of a positive work environment which allows staff to feel valued and show initiative, within the governance framework.

Help promote and maintain a culture of effective team working, continuous improvement, and innovation within a governance framework.

Encourage and promote active engagement with service users through a co-production approach to the design and development of services, and the subsequent evaluation of services provided.

Information Management

Support the Team leader in ensuring the effective implementation of all Trust information management policies and procedures.

Help ensure staff maintain patient/client confidentiality at all times, including the storage of records and the transfer of verbal and written information.

Support the Team leader in collating, analysing and disseminating data relating to Children’s Disability Services as required, and take a lead role in the implementation and use of Paris/Encompass Information System, and supporting staff.

Financial & Resource Management

Assist the Team leader with the most effective and efficient use and monitoring of available funding for current and future services.

Support the Team Manager for Short Breaks with the effective implementation of all Trust financial policies and procedures and support the Team Manager for Short Breaks to meet all cost reduction targets.

Assist the Team Manager for Short Breaks with the effective management, use and maintenance of all physical assets in the team.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

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:

The Trust 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 Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust 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 Trust’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 Trust'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.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the 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 Southern Health & Social Care 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 Trust’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 Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

October 2025


PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Outreach worker

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Children’s Disability Services, Children & Young People’s Services

SALARY Band 5

HOURS 37.5 per week will include evenings and
weekends

Ref No:

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

Experience

Degree in relevant care related subject i.e. youth and/or community work, social work, social care, nursing, sociology, psychology, childhood studies, early years, Allied Health professionals plus 1 year experience working with children or adults with learning disability or complex health and/or behavioural needs.
OR
HNC/D in a care related subject plus 2 year experience working with children or adults with learning disability or complex health and/or behavioural needs.
OR
QCF/RQF/NVQ Level 3 in a care related subject AND 3 years paid experience working with children or adults with learning disability or complex health and/or behavioural needs.
Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration
Registered with NISCC or have an application in progress to be listed on the NISCC Register of Social Care Workers (Part 2) or other Council e.g NMC or GSCC and maintain registration throughout employment.

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.


Shortlisting by Application Form

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

Skills / Abilities
Ability to work flexible hours at evenings, weekends and nights will be a requirement of the post.

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

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

Ability to accept responsibility for complex work and manage competing demands.

Ability to develop effective working relationships with children, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals within and outside the Trust – with the overall aim of providing high quality, coordinated and integrated care.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Resilience – can adapt/respond to changing circumstances and be committed to quality and excellence.

Evidence of being an effective team member and also be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Effective problem solving and decision making skills appropriate to the role.

Ability to complete assessments and effective risk management.

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



Interview

Knowledge
Knowledge of the relevant statutory responsibilities and of the organisational and policy framework within which they are carried out.

Understanding and knowledge about children’s disability issues

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 Safety Intervention Training accreditation.


Shortlisting by Application Form


Knowledge/Experience


Evidence of knowledge of the Positive Behaviour Support Model.

Other training relevant to children, young people or adults with learning disability or complex health and/or behavioural needs.


Shortlisting by Application Form



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.
Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST 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.

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

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