Social Worker - Thompson House

Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Presbyterian Church in Ireland is recruiting a Social Worker for Thompson House, a Probation Approved Project, to promote high standards of care within a Christian ethos. The role involves leading trauma-informed practice, maintaining documentation, and supporting the Service Manager in delivering safe, rehabilitative outcomes for residents.

The post requires registration with NISCC, a professional social work qualification, flexibility for sleep-ins, and collaboration with partners to manage

Qualifications

• Professional social work qualification and registration with NISCC
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Experience in criminal justice settings is required
• Experience in residential supported living settings is preferred
• Experience managing individuals with complex needs and risks is important
• Willingness to work flexible shifts including sleep-ins and to support staff development

Responsibilities

• Ensure staff meet all legislative requirements.
• Lead and promote Trauma Informed Practice within the service.
• Maintain required documents (referrals, licences, risk assessments, support plans).
• Carry out key worker duties and monitor residents’ progress.
• Drive positive outcomes through service development and collaboration.
• Manage risk and ensure safety and safeguarding for residents.
• Engage with statutory partners (PBNI, NIHE, Prison Service NI).
• Oversee security and health & safety within an Approved Premises.
• Support professional development and mentoring of staff and students.
• Contribute to resident health, housing and reintegration efforts.

Skills

NISCC registered

MS Office

Criminal justice experience

Residential care experience

Multi-complex needs management

Risk assessment

Education

Professional social work qualification

Job description

(MGMT) Social Worker - Thompson House

Council: Council for Social Witness

Salary: NJC Points 25-30, £36,363 - £40,777 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, worked flexibly and to include sleep-ins

Responsible to: Service Manager

Main function of job:

To be responsible, for promoting and ensuring the highest standards of care, in compliance with statutory requirements, to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the residents within the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

To ensure the Service is run efficiently and effectively whilst safeguarding service users. To support the Service Manager in all aspects of the Management of the Service.

Background Information

The Council for Social Witness is part of the work and witness of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and its aim is to provide care for people in a specifically Christian ethos and environment, placing great emphasis on offering spiritual support and encouragement to residents, as well as physical care.

Thompson House is a Probation Approved Project providing rehabilitation for 19 male offenders and ex-offenders.

It is one of the aims of the Project to create an environment with a Christian ethos in which residents can be encouraged towards a Christian way of life. However, the Project is open to men of any religion or of none.

About the role

Responsibilities and Duties

1. To ensure that staff meet all legislative requirements.

2. To assist in leading, embedding and promoting Trauma Informed Practice within the service

3. To ensure that all correct documents are present in files e.g referral forms, licence conditions, risk assessments, support plans etc.

4. To undertake key work responsibilities for designated individual residents, including participation in monitoring and reviewing residents’ progress on a regular basis.

5. To ensure positive outcomes for the residents through innovative and collaborative service development.

6. To ensure that staff are meeting best practice requirements in the assessment and management of risks presented by the residents.

7. To assist with risk assessment and risk management processes

8. Assist in the collaboration with statutory partners including PBNI, NIHE and Prison Service NI.

9. Ensure appropriate and timely responses to incident and safeguarding concerns.

10. Take the lead decision making role when on staff rota with Project Workers, Relief Workers and Student Social Workers.

11. Ensure residents ensure structured support focused on risk reduction, rehabilitation as well as reintegration into the community i.e. health and housing

12. Embed a holistic and inclusive culture throughout the service to all key internal and external stakeholders

13. To assist in leading and overseeing the robust security infrastructure of an Approved Premises, ensuring that high levels of H&S and security provisions are implemented and maintained throughout

14. To maintain professional development in keeping with NISCC requirements.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL

1. To assist in maintaining accurate financial records, including records of petty cash and residents’ service charge.

2. To liaise with Radius Housing regarding maintenance and tenancy issues as required

3. To align with quality audits in line with PCI policy

4. To ensure resident files are maintained appropriately

5. To maintain appropriate confidentiality on information relating to residents.

6. To carry out interview and assessments of referrals for the hostel panel to ascertain their support needs in Probation Approved accommodation.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

1. To exercise vigilance generally in relation to health and safety of personnel and hostel premises and report any concerns and/or faults to the Service Manager.

2. To carry out daily health and safety checks as required, notifying any faults to the Service Manager.

3. To contribute to the security of all personnel in the hostel.

To carry out any other duties, requested by the Service Manager or Deputy Service Manager, as reasonable within the main function of the job

About the company

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) is a community of believers shaped by faith, committed to loving God and serving others.

PCI plays an active role in social care, education, and advocacy, reflecting its core values of faith, compassion, and service. Through worship, discipleship, and outreach, PCI seeks to make a meaningful impact on society while fostering a strong, supportive Christian community.

Required Criteria

• A professional social work qualification AND registered on the appropriate part of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) register, without condition
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (in particular Word, Excel and Outlook)
• At least one year's post qualifying experience working within criminal justice
• Experience of working within a residential supported living setting
• Experience of working within a high-risk environment
• Experience of managing individuals with multi-complex needs
• Experience of managing complex risk
• Must be willing to work within the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
• Must be available for flexible working on rota across 24/7 hours, including sleep-ins as required
• Satisfactory Enhanced AccessNI check and willingness to register with NISCC
• Must be willing to support the development of other staff including social work students

Desired Criteria

• Experience of working in Approved Premises within the criminal justice system in NI
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams including voluntary and statutory agencies
• Experience of working with addiction
• Experience of working with mental illness
• Access to a car or transport for work purposes
• Evidence of a personal Christian faith in practice and expression, normally with active membership of a Christian congregation