Health & Wellbeing Officer in Belfast

Disability Action is a dynamic and thriving charity committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities across Northern Ireland. We provide a wide range of services and support to empower people with disabilities, in employment, skills provision, advocacy and more, ensuring they can live independently and participate fully in society.

As part of our ongoing growth and organisational development, we are seeking a dedicated Health & Wellbeing Officer for the Skills for Life and Work (SfL&W) provision. This pivotal role will support the development and delivery of high-quality, impactful skills learning within our new state-of-the-art DA Skills Hub, ensuring it operates as a vibrant centre for skills development both in person and online. You will play a key role in sourcing people to gain chosen vocational, technical and life skills for employment and independent living, making a lasting difference to the lives of the people and communities we support.

The Health & Wellbeing Officer is responsible for leading and delivering high-quality pastoral care, wellbeing support, and learner intervention services across the Skills for Life and Work (SfLW) program. The postholder will work with learners aged 16-21 of all ages, ensuring barriers to participation, achievement, and progression are identified and addressed through a holistic, learner-centred approach. The successful candidate will report into the DA Skills Delivery Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and co-ordinate pastoral care and wellbeing support across Skills for Life and Work and apprenticeship provision.
• Conduct baseline wellbeing assessments, learner questionnaires, and support screenings to identify learner needs and barriers to learning.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and review individual learner support plans.
• Provide early intervention support using restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
• Support learners experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, attendance, or engagement difficulties.
• Promote resilience, emotional regulation, confidence, self-esteem, and positive mental health.
• Deliver one-to-one wellbeing support within professional and ethical boundaries.
• Provide specialist support for learners with a range of disabilities and support/needs.
• Liaise with schools, SEN Co-ordinators, Educational Psychologists, and transition teams.
• Review Educational Statements, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), or equivalent documentation.
• Ensure appropriate reasonable adjustments and support arrangements are implemented and reviewed throughout programme participation.
• Monitor learner attendance, wellbeing, participation, progress, achievement, and retention.
• Chair and coordinate learner support and case conference meetings.
• Identify emerging concerns and implement appropriate interventions.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date learner records.
• Build positive relationships with parents, carers, guardians, social workers, and keyworkers.
• Facilitate effective communication between learners, families, staff, and support agencies.
• Support families to understand and respond effectively to the needs of learners with additional support requirements.
• Work closely with external agencies and attend multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, Looked After Child (LAC) reviews, and support planning meetings.
• Develop effective partnerships with schools, transition officers, SEN departments, and careers staff.
• Support learners transitioning from school into training provision.
• Attend school careers fairs, employability events, open days, and transition meetings.
• Support learners and employers during work placements.
• Advise employers on reasonable adjustments, disability awareness, and inclusive practices.
• Act as a member of the organisational Safeguarding and Crisis Management Team.
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and welfare issues in accordance with organisational policies and statutory guidance.
• Maintain detailed safeguarding records and documentation.
• Contribute to inspections, audits, self-evaluation, and quality improvement activities.

Essential Criteria

• Degree-level qualification in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Youth Work, Education, Health & Wellbeing, or a related discipline.
• Safeguarding qualification or willingness to obtain.
• Training in Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Practice, SEN, or a related area.
• Experience supporting young people and vulnerable learners.
• Experience working with learners with a range of disabilities.
• Experience of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Experience of multi-agency working and partnership development.
• Knowledge and professional experience of using various IT packages to record and report on activities, in particular Microsoft Office.

Desirable Criteria

• Mental Health First Aid qualification.
• Experience within education, training, employability, or apprenticeship programmes.
• Strong commitment to data protection (e.g. GDPR), confidentiality, and professional standards.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail, including accurate record-keeping and data/document management.

What we can offer you:

• Hybrid Working
• Death in Service package
• Cash plan
• In house Counselling services
• Training and Development opportunities
• Enhanced Maternity packages
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being
• 27 days paid holidays per year and 11 bank holidays (Based on a full-time role)

Disability Action is an equal opportunities employer committed to providing opportunities for all. We offer salary packages that are reflective of experience and aligned with industry standards, alongside a supportive environment that encourages professional growth.