Social Worker x2 - Multi-Disciplinary Homeless Support Team
Extern’s MDHST project has operated within the Belfast area since 2006; since then it has provided a specialist Social Work service for individuals and families who are homeless/ at risk of homelessness and who also experience additional complex needs including addictions, mental health difficulties, learning disability, and family breakdown.The team offer a range of professional interventions and have developed successful partnerships with core agencies across the statutory, voluntary and community sectors to advocate for appropriate service provision and support planning with the aim of realising the potential of each service user.The approach utilised to promote change encompasses a high tolerance, low threshold methodology including the principles of harm reduction. The service is delivered via an assertive outreach model, supporting ‘Seldom Heard’ individuals and families to access specialist professional support within the voluntary sector.Those within the client group often have multiple complex support needs which require person-centred partnership with individuals and families. Pragmatic and responsive support facilitates relationship building, therefore communication skills are a fundamental aspect of the Social Work role in this team.The Social Work value base underpins this role as does the spirit of co-production and team work.This is a rewarding Social Work role which promotes innovative practice, professional development and offers a broad range of opportunities and is suited to those who relish challenge and prioritise change.
Responsibilities
* Use the social work process and methods of intervention to promote engagement with individuals and families who are homeless/ at risk of homelessness and who experience additional complex needs.
* Promote the principles of harm reduction and a low threshold, high tolerance approach when engaging with service users.
* Complete person-centered holistic/comprehensive needs assessment with service users, making recommendations for appropriate support planning and service provision, with service users’ consent.
* Timely and accurate communication with stakeholders relevant to individual service users to promote best practice and interventions.Take lead responsibility for case management of allocated service users.
* Complete and record support plans with service users which include realistic and achievable goals as prioritised by each individual.Plan and carry out intervention sessions with service users including regular reviews.
* Communicate effectively with colleagues and within line management structure to ensure appropriate information is shared with essential stakeholders.Act as an advocate on behalf of service users where consent is provided.
* Promote and encourage independence and assist and encourage service users to develop personal autonomy where realistic.Use professional judgement and accountability to meet service users at their point of need
* Convene case strategy meetings in partnership with the NIHE, HSCT services, service users and other voluntary and statutory agencies to review housing, health and wellbeing supports and tenancy sustainment needs.
* Ensure all Extern safeguarding and child protection protocols are implemented in all aspects of the work.Report all safeguarding and child protection issues through the appropriate mechanisms.
* Participate in office duty system as per rota, including crisis response and multi-disciplinary communication.Responsible for completing remote referrals and corresponding communication detail where required.
* Complete handover documentation including relevant detail.Promote servicer user confidentiality at all times.Support colleagues in the office space as/ when necessary.
* Take referrals from service users and external agencies, ensuring that these are completed fully and forwarded to Line Manager/administrative staff for processing as appropriate.
* Gain consent from service users before communicating with agencies and individuals (aside from Child Protection/ Safeguarding protocols)
* Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working.Attend and participate in internal and external meetings as required and act as advocate for service user when appropriate e.g. team meetings, multi-disciplinary meetings, Housing Executive meetings etc.
* Actively seek support from colleagues and line management where needed to promote best practice/ consistency of support.When required, liaise with appropriate relatives and wider social/support networks.
* All communication must be professional in content and tone.To provide written reports and as when required.To keep client management system up to date.
* Responsible for factual and timely recording and reporting, Extern Client management system.Ensure all records and information are in keeping with GDPR.Contribute to requested reporting formats for the purpose of evidence based practice.
* Prepare appropriately for supervision sessions as per line management direction.In conjunction with Management, assist in the induction and training of new staff.When appropriate act as on site supervisor for Social Work Students.
* Responsible for engaging in the supervisory process as a Supervisee.Request additional supervision when necessary and as per NISCC guidelines.
* Complete induction training prior to service user engagement.Responsible for keeping abreast of current legislation and organisational policies and procedures.Attend mandatory training as and when required including Child Protection and Adult S.
* Accountable for developing and maintain working knowledge of all relevant organisational policiesMaintain own training record for auditing purposesIdentify additional training needs as they arise.
* Adhere to organisational health and safety policies and procedures e.g. Lone Working Policy, peoplesafe.Participate in fire drills and evacuation procedures.
Skills and Qualifications
* Social Work qualification individuals undertaking their AYE accepted we commit to supporting newly qualified Social Workers during their assessed year in employment.
* IT competent. Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, email and input information into a service user databaseNISCC registration (you will be required to provide evidence of your NISCC registration).
* Demonstrate good standard of written and verbal communication skills including ability to engage effectively with a client group with complex and challenging needs and to liaise with external agencies.
* Full driving licence valid for use in UK and Ireland and access to use of a car, with appropriate business insurance, in order to provide transport to Service Users please note relevant business insurance will be required on commencement.
* Experience of working with individuals who have been homeless/are at risk of homelessness and who have additional complexity of need (mental ill health, substance dependence etc.)
* Experience of using Motivational Interviewing techniques and working within a harm reduction ethos.
Further Information
Salary £27,786 -£31,325 per annum, plus annual £3,000 social worker allowance (pro rata)
Vacancy ID 1759184 Job ref. NI11/02/26/2v-2 Job Sector Childcare and Social Work Area Belfast Location Belfast, 118-122 Royal Avenue. Salary See further information. No. vacancies 2 Contract Type Permanent Weekly hours 40 Published date 11/02/2026 Closing date 25/02/2026 Worktime To be confirmed, (Flexibility Required)
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