At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women transitioning from the criminal justice system back into their communities.
- Company: Join Depaul, a charity dedicated to ending homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days of annual leave, paid sick leave, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and opportunities for professional growth in a values-driven organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in social care and experience working with vulnerable women required.
The predicted salary is between 28040 - 28040 £ per year.
Salary: £28,040.00
Contract: fixed term 2 years
Hours: 35 per week (varied shifts)
Location: Nelson Street, Belfast (with travel)
Employee Benefits:
- Enhanced Annual Leave – 35 days per year, increasing as your length of service increases
- Paid Sick Leave
- Company maternity & paternity pay
- Contributory Pension scheme
- Health Cash Back & Rewards Plan
- Christmas Savers club
- Bluelight discount card
- Plus, many opportunities to learn and develop within the organisation
About the Role:
WCTS is an innovative service that supports women who find themselves in the criminal justice system helping them to integrate back into their communities. The service does this by providing support in various areas including rebuilding social networks and accessing educational and housing opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- To provide service user support in a person lead manner, which is both professional and respectful.
- Assess the safety and wellbeing needs of the service user and develop plans which address and reduce identified risks.
- In partnership with service users, assess their needs and develop support plans, which are flexible and respond to the changing needs of the service users.
- Support people to engage with services, to stabilise and to settle into accommodation settings.
- Build effective, appropriate and supportive relationships with service users, developing support plans with the aim of reducing re-offending.
- Be responsible and resilient in the face of challenging behaviour and individuals who may be in crisis; disclose and discuss risks responsibly, operate within existing data sharing frameworks; acknowledge areas of limitation; and liaise with all linked professionals responsibly.
- Develop and implement Resettlement Plans and review progress with Service Users.
- Facilitate individuals to identify and maintain appropriate move on accommodation providing practical help and support throughout this transition.
- Work with service users and relevant external agencies in order to deliver meaningful and effective key working.
- Support service users to integrate with their communities in line with good neighbourhood principles.
- Advocate on behalf of service users to achieve the best outcomes for them.
- Provide outreach work within the community based on service delivery needs.
- Ensure that Health and Safety standards are met within the service in accordance with Depaul’s Health and Safety policy and procedures.
- Undertake assigned duties regarding the overall health and safety and security of the service and utilise available security systems to manage risk relevant to the service.
- Ensure completion of all relevant wellbeing and health and safety checks.
- Carry out service administration tasks such as upkeep of client records, financial transactions, internal and external reports, incident and accident management and other record keeping relevant to the roles.
- Remain vigilant to IT and cyber risks and comply at all times with Depaul’s IT Security policies.
- Be a contributing team player, taking part in handovers, team meetings, core training, the mentoring of Volunteers and supporting other team members in ensuring all decision making is appropriate and consistent.
- Undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work in line with Depaul Values and ethos.
The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility may be added over time and flexibility to cover for other staff roles is required from time to time.
Qualifications & Experience:
- A formal Level 3 qualification in a social care field, e.g. diploma in health and social care or equivalent and at least 2 years paid experience working with vulnerable women, desirably experience working with women leaving prison.
- OR At least 3 years paid experience working with vulnerable women, desirably experience working with women leaving prison and 3 formal qualifications at Level 2 to include Math and English, e.g. GCSE’s or NVQ.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Good working knowledge of risk assessment and risk management processes.
- Good IT skills, including working knowledge of using IT systems to record client information.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to compile and present accurate written and electronic reports.
- Have an understanding of homelessness and the issues that can lead to homelessness.
- Have an understanding of what supports can be offered in homeless services to promote positive futures.
- Have knowledge/experience of working with needs assessment, key working and support planning for service users, specifically relating to people who have committed offences.
- Have a knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector resources available to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
- Understand the importance of Health and Safety standards in the delivery of services on a day to day basis.
- Knowledge of relevant statutory and voluntary agencies and the ability to network/liaise with all relevant bodies.
- Knowledge and willingness to work within the guidelines of Depaul vision mission and values.
Circumstances:
- Ability to work on a rota basis (7 day week – Mornings, Evenings & Weekends).
- Access to a car insured for business purposes during working hours, and a valid driving licence.
This Post is subject to an Enhanced Access NI check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with Depaul. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate.
This post is subject to NISCC registration, if you do hold a valid registration this must be completed within your probationary period.
A waitlist may be compiled for this role.
Depaul Ireland are an Equal Opportunities employer.
Closing Date: 31.7.26
Womens Community Transition Service Case Worker in Belfast employer: Depaul
Depaul is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of marginalised individuals and families experiencing homelessness. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous benefits such as enhanced annual leave, paid sick leave, and opportunities for professional development within a values-driven culture that prioritises respect, collaboration, and community engagement. Join us in our mission to end homelessness and help empower women transitioning from the criminal justice system to rebuild their lives in a supportive and dynamic environment in Belfast.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Womens Community Transition Service Case Worker in Belfast
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Depaul.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Depaul!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Depaul, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Depaul or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Womens Community Transition Service Case Worker in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Depaul:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Depaul! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Depaul
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.