At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-quality support services for individuals facing homelessness and social exclusion.
- Company: Join Simon Community, dedicated to ending homelessness and improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, generous leave, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and partnership working.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 3 years' experience with socially excluded people or relevant qualification and experience.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality support services for individuals experiencing homelessness and social exclusion. You will work closely with managers and frontline teams to achieve agreed outcomes, maintain compliance with regulatory standards, lead on complex casework, and support staff development. The role also involves partnership working with external agencies, quality improvement initiatives, and promoting person-centred support that enables individuals to achieve positive outcomes.
About Us
At Simon Community, our values define who we are and how we support those in need. We are:
- Non-judgmental in every interaction
- Supportive, meeting people where they are
- Trustworthy, building relationships based on respect
- Dedicated to ending homelessness and improving lives
Role Overview
What You'll Need
Essential Criteria
- A clear commitment to our core values: Non-Judgmental, Supportive, Trustworthy, and Dedicated
- Either: 3 years' experience working with socially excluded people OR A 3rd Level qualification or equivalent (e.g. QCF/NVQ Level 3 in a relevant qualification) and 2 years' experience working with socially excluded people
- Proven track record of building and sustaining partnerships with clients, staff, stakeholders, and other departments/services
- Experience identifying and delivering client-focused services, including assessing strengths, needs, and risks, and supporting positive outcomes
- Experience in self-directing, planning, and prioritising workload effectively
- A sound understanding of the needs of people experiencing homelessness
- Good computer literacy skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- A full current driving licence or, if a disability prevents driving, an alternative means of transport to enable the duties of the post to be carried out in full
Desirable Criteria
- At least 1 year's experience supervising staff or volunteers within a care or support setting
Role Responsibilities
- Support the delivery of housing-related support, accommodation, community transition, and prevention services to achieve agreed outcomes and project objectives
- Monitor service quality and compliance in line with QAF, RQIA, NISCC, and contractual requirements
- Lead and support staff through supervision, induction, training, and ongoing practice development
- Take the lead on complex cases, ensuring effective support planning and risk management
- Monitor client records and undertake audits to ensure accurate and professional record keeping
- Promote client involvement and choice through person-centred support planning
- Develop and maintain effective multi-agency partnerships to support positive outcomes for individuals
- Represent Simon Community at meetings and liaise with external agencies and stakeholders as appropriate
- Support financial accountability within the service and ensure organisational resources are used effectively
- Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, fundraising activities, and wider organisational objectives
Why Join Simon Community?
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Pension Scheme
- Employer-Funded Healthcare (Benenden Health & Health Shield)
- Death in Service Benefit
- Generous Annual Leave
- Free Access NI Check
- Occupational Sick Pay
- Health & Wellbeing Initiatives
- Learning & Development Opportunities
- Management Development Programmes
- Long Service Recognition
- Blue Light Card (exclusive discounts)
To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process click the Apply button below to Login/Register.
Senior Practitioner - Transition Service in Lisburn employer: Simon Community
At Simon Community, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and non-judgmental employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those facing homelessness. Our Portadown location offers a collaborative work culture with extensive learning and development opportunities, ensuring that our Accommodation & Community Support Workers can grow both personally and professionally while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package. Join us in our mission to improve lives and be part of a team that values trust and respect in every interaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Transition Service in Lisburn
✨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 Simon Community.
✨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 Simon Community!
✨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 Simon Community, 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 Simon Community 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 Senior Practitioner - Transition Service in Lisburn
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 Simon Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Simon Community! 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 Simon Community
✨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.
