Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people? Do you believe every young person deserves a safe, supportive environment as they transition to independence? If so, we want to hear from you!
We are on the search for a dedicated and compassionate Residential Project Worker in our Leaving Care Service, Ballymena.
The Service supports semi-independent living for care experienced young people aged 16 -21yrs. The service is jointly commissioned by Northern Health and Social Care Trust and Supporting People.
About the Role:
This is a vital role where you will help young people build confidence, develop essential life skills, and navigate the challenges of independent living.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Provide emotional and practical support tailored to individual needs.
2. Promote independence through guidance on budgeting, cooking, employment, and education.
3. Maintain a safe, nurturing, and respectful living environment.
4. Work collaboratively with social workers, education providers, and health professionals.
5. Advocate for young people's rights and wellbeing.
Barnardo's sets very high standards for the work we do with the children, young people and families we support. We demonstrate every day through our work that we believe in children and we want people to work with us who share our belief, and are willing to strive for excellence in all aspects of their work.
We use a strength-based approach to build resilience and facilitate better outcomes for children and young people. Our practice is guided by attachment and trauma-based models of intervention.
You will be provided with a suite of training to support you in undertaking your role within the project.
Please ensure that you outline in your application how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the Additional Information Sheet.
Hours: 17 hours per week - rota basis including evening and weekend work
Salary: £26,142.40 - £29,755.44 FTE
Closing: Midnight Monday 26th January, 2026
Interviews: TBC
Contact details:
Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Access NI with Child and Adult Barred List Check, and register with NISCC.
A waiting list will be held in the event that similar vacancies arise during the next 12 months
Pay & Reward Framework
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's . We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
Benefits
Workplace Offer: What it means for you
6. Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
7. Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
8. The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our HolidayPlus scheme
9. A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
10. Service related sick pay from day 1
11. Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
12. Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
13. Cycle2work scheme
14. Interest free season ticket loans
15. Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
16. 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
17. Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
18. Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
19. Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer
*T&C's