At a Glance
- Tasks: Build meaningful relationships and support individuals with learning disabilities or autism in their daily lives.
- Company: Join Positive Futures, a leading organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values respect, innovation, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while growing your own skills and career.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and social care, with relevant qualifications or training.
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 28500 £ per year.
Getting to know someone properly is where good support starts. Positive Futures supports people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autism to live the life they choose, and as a Specialist Support Worker, you'll be one of the people who makes that real, day in and day out. It's for someone ready to build the specialist skills that help a person feel genuinely understood, especially in the moments that are hardest to get right.
Day to day, you'll build a real relationship with the person you're supporting, learning what matters to them and helping shape their Person Centred Portfolio and Behaviour Support Plan around it. You'll support their health, wellbeing and personal care with dignity, help them stay connected to the people who matter to them, and back them to get involved in their community on their own terms.
Specialist skills that count: you'll receive training in Positive Behaviour Support and use it to help manage behaviours of concern with real understanding, not guesswork. Relationships that go somewhere: this isn't task-based support. You'll get the time and structure to properly know the person you're working with, and to help them live life on their terms. Support to grow: a full paid induction, specialist training, and regular supervision from day one, with real opportunities to build your career from there.
About The Role
Specialist training means being ready when someone needs you most. At the centre of this role is one relationship: yours, with the person you're supporting. You'll work to understand their wishes and communication style, help develop and evaluate their Person Centred Portfolio, and attend reviews with them and the people who matter to them. Where risks come up, you'll respond to them promptly and escalate in line with our Risk Management Policy, and you'll help the person you support make informed choices about their own life.
You'll promote healthy choices, provide personal care where it's needed while treating people with dignity and respect at all times, and act on any safeguarding concern in line with our policies. You'll also help identify and assess risk, applying the right controls and escalating where needed.
Beyond the one-to-one relationship, you'll support the person you work with to build independence, social connections and communication skills, including getting involved in their local community and, where it's part of their life, planning and going on holiday.
You'll act as a role model for other staff and volunteers, get involved in the induction, coaching and mentoring of colleagues, and challenge poor practice where you see it. There's an administrative side too: keeping accurate records, writing short reports, contributing to handovers, and carrying out health and safety checks.
Required Criteria
- QCF Level 2 / 3, Psychology Degree, Psychology Masters Degree or 3 Year's Experience in a health and social care setting
- 1-2 Year's Experience in a health and social care setting, alongside one of the above qualifications
- At least 1 years' experience of working with people with a learning disability OR autism
- At least 1 years' experience in managing behaviours of concern through the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support.
- 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/EU/EEA Driving Licence to fulfil the needs of the role
About The Company
Founded in 1995, Positive Futures has spent 30 years supporting people with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury and autism to live full, meaningful lives as valued members of their communities across Northern Ireland. At Positive Futures, we foster a culture of respect, innovation and empowerment. We believe in putting people first both those we support and our staff. We support staff to grow professionally and personally, and we emphasise collaboration, listening and trust. With services and teams located across Northern Ireland, we continue to work alongside individuals, families and communities to create opportunities, break down barriers and transform lives.
Company Culture
- People First - Our people are at the heart of everything we do
- Opportunities - We seek out opportunities that enrich lives and empower people
- Sustainability - We strive for positive social, economic and environmental benefits for now and in the future
- Innovation - We embrace creativity and continuous learning to reimagine and refine our unique person-centred support.
- Tenacious - We don't give up - we believe in making the impossible, possible
- Inclusion - Our staff and people we support are our strength, we listen and learn together
- Value for Money - Delivering impactful, life changing results with efficiency and integrity
- Expertise - We look beyond limitations in our pursuit of excellence
Company Benefits
Our Staff and people we support are our strength and our people are at the heart of everything we do, those are not just our values it's who we are. Working at Positive Futures means doing work that matters - and being supported by people who genuinely care about your growth and wellbeing. That's why our benefits are built around one simple idea: when you're supported, you can make an even bigger difference to the people we support.
- Vacation
- Paid time off
- Paid sick days
- Retirement plan and/or pension
- Employee development programs
- A diversity program
- Competitive salary
- Employee Assistance Scheme
- Wellbeing Scheme
- Work With Charities
- Social Opportunities
- Annual performance review
- On the job learning
- Progression opportunities
- Bereavement leave
- Company Mileage & Expenses
Salary £26,500.00 - £28,500.00 per year
Specialist Care Support Worker- Male in Belfast employer: Positive Futures
Positive Futures is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism, fostering a culture of respect, innovation, and empowerment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and wellbeing, we offer a range of benefits including competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment that values collaboration and inclusivity. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community while being part of a team that genuinely cares about your success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Care Support Worker- Male 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 Positive Futures.
✨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 Positive Futures!
✨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 Positive Futures, 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 Positive Futures 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 Specialist Care Support Worker- Male 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 Positive Futures:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Positive Futures! 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 Positive Futures
✨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.
