At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in accessing personal history and navigating tracing processes.
- Company: Join Adopt NI, a charity dedicated to empowering adults affected by adoption.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, pension, and professional training.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through advocacy and support.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy or social care, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36363 - 36363 £ per year.
Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting Adopt NI with the recruitment of three Advocacy and Tracing Caseworkers. These positions will form part of a wider team delivering information recovery, advocacy and family tracing support for adults linked to Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, and their pathways and practices in Northern Ireland. This is a meaningful opportunity for experienced advocacy, social care, counselling or support professionals to help individuals access important information, understand their personal history and navigate tracing, inquiry and potential redress processes. These roles are funded by the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS).
Location: Belfast, with regional travel throughout Northern Ireland.
Hours of Work and Positions Available:
- Two full-time positions: 37 hours per week
- One part-time position: 30 hours per week
Salary:
- NJC Point 25: Full-time, 37 hours: £36,363 per annum
- Part-time, 30 hours: approximately £29,484 per annum
Contract: Fixed-term until March 2029, subject to funding.
Closing Date: Friday 7th August.
Proposed Interview Date: Interviews are anticipated to take place during the week beginning 17th August 2026.
Salary and Benefits:
- Flexible working options
- Family-friendly policies
- 25 days annual leave plus 10 public holidays
- Workplace pension
- Induction and on-the-job training
- Regular professional supervision
- Parking available at the office
- Time off in lieu for additional hours worked
Annual leave entitlement and salary will be calculated pro rata for the part-time position.
About Adopt NI: Adopt NI is an independent registered charity established in 1989. Its main priority is to support adults impacted by the lifelong journey of adoption or care. Working from Belfast on a regional basis, Adopt NI provides confidential support and services to adults affected by adoption or separation from their family of origin. The organisation seeks to empower adults, improve access to information, influence policy and ensure each person receives non-judgemental support tailored to their individual circumstances.
The Role: The Advocacy and Tracing Caseworker will provide consistent, end-to-end advocacy and support to victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland. Working in a trauma-informed, empathetic and client-led way, the Caseworker will support individuals seeking information about time spent in institutions, adoption experiences or biological family. The successful candidate will help clients understand and navigate information recovery, family tracing, public inquiry and potential redress processes. They will provide emotional and practical support before, during and after these processes, ensuring each individual remains informed, empowered and in control of decisions affecting them. The role will also involve acting as an intermediary where contact with family of origin is being considered and working closely with Adopt NI's Family Tracing and Records Officers. This is a demanding but highly rewarding position requiring empathy, resilience, sound judgement and the ability to manage sensitive and potentially complex cases.
Key Responsibilities: The Advocacy and Tracing Caseworker will:
- Provide trauma-informed, person-centred advice, advocacy and emotional support to victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
- Support individuals to access personal and institutional records, trace biological family members and make informed decisions throughout the process.
- Act as an intermediary in tracing and family-contact cases, ensuring the wishes and direction of the individual remain central.
- Help clients understand and engage with public inquiries, investigation processes and potential redress schemes, including applications, statements and testimonies.
- Work closely with Family Tracing and Records Officers on cases involving tracing, intermediary support and voluntary DNA testing.
- Manage a complex caseload, maintaining accurate, confidential and up-to-date client records.
- Develop effective relationships with statutory, community and voluntary organisations, coordinating support, representation and onward referrals.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, policy and practice while contributing to quality standards, service evaluation and continuing professional development.
Essential Criteria: Applicants must have either:
- A university-level, professional or equivalent qualification in a relevant area, such as health and social care, counselling, social science or psychology, together with at least two years recent paid experience relevant to the role; or:
- Five GCSEs at grades AC or equivalent, together with at least four years recent, paid and demonstrable experience relevant to the role.
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- A sound understanding or experience of trauma-informed and integrated practice.
- Strong advocacy, assessment, communication and negotiation skills.
- The ability to manage sensitive and potentially complex client cases.
- The ability to build effective relationships with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and competence in Microsoft Office and general IT systems.
Additional Shortlisting Criteria: Where required, Adopt NI may also shortlist against:
- Experience supporting people affected by adoption trauma or historical institutions, or relevant lived experience.
- Experience of advocacy, intermediary, mediation, advice or guidance work.
- A relevant qualification in advocacy, mediation, advice or guidance.
- Experience working within the community or voluntary sector.
- Knowledge of relevant adoption legislation, records-access guidance and service-user-led practice.
Additional Requirements: Applicants must be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council or be willing to register and take responsibility for the initial registration fee and annual renewal. A full current driving licence and access to a car are essential due to regional travel. Consideration will be given to alternative travel arrangements for applicants with a disability who cannot hold a driving licence. Some evening or weekend work may occasionally be required. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory AccessNI and other pre-employment checks, references and confirmation of relevant qualifications.
How to Apply: If you are an experienced advocacy, social care or support professional who wants to help people access important information, understand their personal history and have their voices heard, we would love to hear from you. Click Apply now to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will then be in touch to discuss your application, provide the relevant application documents and guide you through the next steps of the process. The closing date for completed applications is 5.00pm on Friday 7th August 2026. Interviews are anticipated to take place during the week beginning 17th August 2026. Should a high level of suitable applications be received, these vacancies may close early, therefore early application is highly advisable.
Advocacy and Tracing Caseworker TLNT1_NI in Belfast employer: IrishJobs
As a Waste Resource Team Leader with our esteemed local authority client, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing community sustainability and environmental responsibility. Our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development, offering training opportunities and a clear path for career progression. With competitive remuneration, including pension and holiday pay, along with the chance to make a meaningful impact in your community, this role is an excellent opportunity for those seeking rewarding employment in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocacy and Tracing Caseworker TLNT1_NI 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 IrishJobs.
✨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 IrishJobs!
✨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 IrishJobs, 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 IrishJobs 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 Advocacy and Tracing Caseworker TLNT1_NI 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 IrishJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to IrishJobs! 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 IrishJobs
✨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.
