Bhsct_Senior Social Work Practitioner, Enhanced Family Support Service, Band 7

Belfast Health And Social Care Trust; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is seeking a Senior Social Work Practitioner (Band 7) for the Enhanced Family Support Service within the Together for Families Gateway – Northern and Southern Sectors. The post requires registration with NISCC on appointment and an ability to work across multi-agency teams to safeguard children and families.

The role demands significant post-qualifying experience, a full UK driving licence, and a commitment to safeguarding, risk assessment, and leadership

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work is essential.
• Current registration with one of the Social Care Regulatory Bodies in England, Scotland or Wales and eligible to register with NISCC.
• Before appointment, must have secured Registration with NISCC.

Responsibilities

• Provide practice consultation and professional advice.
• Support and mentor practitioners.
• Manage and analyse complex family situations and risk.
• Work across disciplines and agencies.
• Facilitate reflective practice and learning.
• Operate in a computer-literate environment.

Skills

Practice consultation

Mentor practitioners

Risk assessment

Multi-agency collaboration

Reflective practice

Computer literacy

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Advertised role location: Belfast HSCT Official document: Together for Families - SSWP Band 7 25 September 2026 jd_ new jd (docx) . Senior Social Work Practitioner - Band 7 Together for Families Gateway – Enhanced Family Support Service Job Description Senior Social Work Practitioner - Band 7 Together for Families Gateway – Enhanced Family Support Service Job Description PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE AND BAND: Senior Social Work Practitioner Enhanced Family Support Service – Band 7 DEPARTMENT/DIRECTORATE: Together for Families – Enhanced Family Support Service/Children & Families Directorate LOCATION: Gateway Teams – Enhanced Family Support Service - Northern and Southern Sectors REPORTS TO: Social Work Manager DATE: September 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/ Registration/ Experience Degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work Achieved or committed to achieving a specified NI PQ Framework award within an agreed timescale Have Current Registration with one of the Social Care Regulatory Bodies in England, Scotland or Wales and be eligible to register with NISCC. In these circumstances applicants must be able to demonstrate at interview they will be in a position to register with NISCC should they be offered a Post with the Trust by providing evidence of their current Registration. Before taking up appointment, applicants must have secured Registration with NISCC on the Social Work Part of the Register. Minimum 3 years' post-qualifying experience working with children and families. Experience of safeguarding and risk assessment. Experience of multi-agency working. 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 provide practice consultation and professional advice. Ability to support and mentor practitioners. Ability to manage and analyse complex family situations and risk. Ability to work effectively across disciplines and agencies. Ability to facilitate reflective practice and learning. Ability to work in a computer literate environment. Interview Knowledge Knowledge of Family and Child Care legislation. Knowledge of multi-agency working and family support interventions. Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures. Knowledge of thresholds, risk assessment and decision-making processes. Knowledge of current issues affecting children, young people and families. 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 Knowledge/Qualification/Skills Post-qualifying award in Social Work. Knowledge of Signs of Safety. Knowledge of trauma-informed practice. Experience of service improvement or transformation programmes. Experience of working within early intervention/family support services. Interview Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS 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 dimensions: Inspiring shared purpose Leading with care Connecting our service Engaging the team 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 successful candidate 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.” “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”. Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment THE TRUST IS