Specialist Senior Support Worker

Positive Futures; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Positive Futures in Northern Ireland is seeking a Specialist Senior Support Worker (Male Only) to provide in-home support, helping individuals build independence and communicate effectively, while aligning with their choices and goals.

The role uses Positive Behaviour Support in practice, with the PBS Team offering coaching, guidance, and on-the-floor support to maintain high-quality, person-centred services.

Qualifications

• QCF Level 3 or equivalent plus relevant professional qualification.
• At least 2 years in health and social care with learning disability or autism.
• Experience managing behaviours of concern using PBS.
• Registration eligibility with NI Social Care Council or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Person-Centred Portfolios (PCPs) for individuals supported by the service.
• Lead reviews with the person, families/carers and other significant people.
• Respond to identified risks promptly and escalate per Risk Management Policy.
• Implement PBS recommendations and liaise with the PBS Team to ensure trauma-informed support.
• Carry on-call responsibilities and document incidents accurately.
• Lead handovers and maintain effective communication.

Skills

Behaviour management

PBS knowledge

Person-centered care

Co-ordinating reviews

On-call availability

Education

QCF Level 3

Psychology Degree

Psychology Masters Degree

Professional Social Work Qualification

First Level Registered Nurse

Allied Health Professional

Health and Social Care experience

Tools

Driving Licence

Access NI

Job description

Specialist Senior Support Worker (Male Only)

Being a Specialist Senior Support Worker is about using your skills to make a real and lasting difference in someone’s life. You’ll support a person in their own home to build independence, develop communication, and shape a life that reflects their choices and goals.

This role involves getting to know each person in depth, how they communicate, what matters to them, and what can make day-to-day life easier or more difficult. You’ll use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) in a practical way, adjusting your approach based on what you learn and what the situation calls for.

You won't do this alone, at Positive Futures, our dedicated PBS Team work alongside all of our services, offering hands-on coaching, training and guidance, to support you in delivering high-quality, person-centred support. This includes support with PBS planning, reflective practice, and on-the-floor coaching, helping you and your team continuously develop and strengthen practice

You’ll be supported by a dedicated specialist leadership team, including;

• Specialist Deputy Managers

• Specialist Service Manager

The Ormiston team is already so proud of the progress achieved so far, alongside the person we support, who continues to build confidence, independence and a life shaped by their own choices.

We are now recruiting to expand this unique service further, creating additional capacity to support more people in the same way. This is an opportunity to join a service at a unique time, where strong foundations are already in place, and where your contribution will directly support continued growth, achievement and quality of life for the people we support.

Additional Information

Due to a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) this position is only available to male applicants.

About the role

• Have Co-ordinator (Keyworker) responsibility for people who are supported by the service. This includes involvement in the development, implementation and evaluation of Person-Centred Portfolios (PCPs).

• Have lead responsibility for co-ordinating reviews with the person, their families / carers and any other significant people.

• Ensure any risks that are identified during support of a person are responded to promptly and escalated in line with Positive Futures’ Risk Management Policy.

• Ensure all PBS recommendations are implemented and liaise with the PBS Team to promote and support safe and effective Positive Behaviour Support strategies which, where appropriate, are “trauma informed”, and outline all aspects of support required to enable people to live their best life possible.

• On call responsibilities are part of this role.

• Accurately and effectively complete audits, ensure that documents and records are maintained and up to date.

• Write short reports and ensure incidents and events are documented.

• Lead handovers and ensure effective communication.

  Access NI:

  An Enhanced Access NI Disclosure Check will be required for this position. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from obtaining the position.

  Positive Futures adheres to the Access NI Code of Practice, a copy of which can be made available upon request. Positive Futures also have a Policy and procedure on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and Storage & Handling copies of which can be made available upon request

  We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of religious belief; political opinion; sex; sexual orientation; marital or civil partnership status; racial group; age; disability

About the company

We are Positive Futures, a leading charity based in Northern Ireland dedicated to supporting children, young people and adults with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autism, and their families. Since 1995, we’ve been driven by the belief that everyone has a role to play, and that disability should not prevent full and active participation in society.

Required Criteria

• QCF Level 3, Psychology Degree, Psychology Masters Degree, Professional Social Work Qualification, First Level Registered Nurse, Allied Health Professional OR 4 Years Experience in a Health and Social Care Setting - AND
• 2-3 Year Experiences in a Health and Social Care Setting in addition to Qualification above
• At least 2 years’ experience of working with people with a learning disability OR autism.
• At least 2 years’ experience in managing behaviours of concern through the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support.
• Previous experience providing input to developing and implementing person centred support plans (Care Plans).
• Be registered, or be eligible for registration on appointment, on the appropriate part of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) or other relevant professional body.
• Full, valid UK driving Licence to meet the requirements of the post.

Desired Criteria

• At least 1 year’s relevant supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of alternative communication systems (Visuals, PECS, AAC)