Health & Wellbeing Officer
2 days ago
Belfast
Team: Health & Wellbeing Officer Skills for Life and Work - Disability Action Salary: £33,649.03 - Band 5 Job Location: Belfast HQ based (with travel across NI when required) Working Hours: F/T 35 hours per week Contract: Funded until June 2027 Disability Action is a dynamic and thriving charity committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities across Northern Ireland. We provide a wide range of services and support to empower people with disabilities, in employment, skills provision, advocacy and more, ensuring they can live independently and participate fully in society. As part of our ongoing growth and organisational development, we are seeking a dedicated Health & Wellbeing Officerfor the SfL&W, to support our newly awarded Skills for Life and Work (SfL&W) provision. This pivotal role will support the development and delivery of high-quality, impactful skills learning within our new state-of-theart DA Skills Hub, ensuring it operates as a vibrant centre for skills development both in person and online. You will play a key role in sourcing people to gain chosen vocational, technical and life skills for employment and independent living, making a lasting difference to the lives of the people and communities we support. The Health & Wellbeing Officer is responsible for leading and delivering high-quality pastoral care, wellbeing support, and learner intervention services across the Skills for Life and Work (SfLW) program. The postholder will work with learners aged 16-21 of all ages, ensuring barriers to participation, achievement, and progression are identified and addressed through a holistic, learnercentred approach. The successful candidate will report into the DA Skills Delivery Manager. Key Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Health and Wellbeing Officer (SfL&W), will include: Learner Wellbeing and Pastoral Support Lead and co-ordinate pastoral care and wellbeing support across Skills for Life and Work and apprenticeship provision. Conduct baseline wellbeing assessments, learner questionnaires, and support screenings to identify learner needs and barriers to learning. Develop, implement, monitor, and review individual learner support plans. Provide early intervention support using restorative and traumainformed approaches. Support learners experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, attendance, or engagement difficulties. Promote resilience, emotional regulation, confidence, selfesteem, and positive mental health. Deliver one-to-one wellbeing support within professional and ethical boundaries. Special Educational Needs and Additional Support Provide specialist support for learners with a range of disabilities and support/needs: Support learners and families during educational assessment processes. Liaise with schools, SEN Co-ordinators, Educational Psychologists, and transition teams. Review Educational Statements, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), or equivalent documentation. Ensure appropriate reasonable adjustments and support arrangements are implemented and reviewed throughout programme participation. Learner Monitoring and Early Intervention Monitor learner attendance, wellbeing, participation, progress, achievement, and retention. Chair and coordinate learner support and case conference meetings. Identify emerging concerns and implement appropriate interventions. Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date learner records. Provide crisis intervention and support where required. Family Engagement and Partnership Working Build positive relationships with parents, carers, guardians, social workers, and keyworkers. Facilitate effective communication between learners, families, staff, and support agencies. Support families to understand and respond effectively to the needs of learners with additional support requirements. Encourage collaborative approaches that improve learner outcomes and wellbeing. Multi-Agency Collaboration Work closely with external agencies Attend multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, Looked After Child (LAC) reviews, and support planning meetings. Make referrals to specialist services where additional interventions are required. Coordinate support to ensure a joined-up and learner-centred approach. School Engagement and Transition Support Develop effective partnerships with schools, transition officers, SEN departments, and careers staff. Support learners transitioning from school into training provision. Attend school careers fairs, employability events, open days, and transition meetings. Work with the Department for the Economy Careers Service and careers professionals to support progression planning. Ensure continuity of support and effective transfer of information where appropriate. Employer and Work Placement Support Support learners and employers during work placements. Advise employers on reasonable adjustments, disability awareness, and inclusive practices. Help learners develop workplace confidence, resilience, professionalism, and employability skills. Address barriers and concerns arising within placement settings. Facilitate positive communication between learners, employers, and programme staff. Safeguarding and Risk Management Act as a member of the organisational Safeguarding and Crisis Management Team. Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and welfare issues in accordance with organisational policies and statutory guidance. Undertake risk assessments and implement safeguarding and wellbeing interventions. Maintain detailed safeguarding records and documentation. Promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. Quality Assurance and Organisational Development Maintain learner records in accordance with GDPR and organisational policies. Contribute to inspections, audits, self-evaluation, and quality improvement activities. Support the embedding of Trauma-Informed Practice, Restorative Practice, and learner-centred approaches across the organisation. Deliver staff training and awareness sessions on wellbeing, safeguarding, neurodiversity, and learner support. Participate in continuing professional development, supervision, and reflective practice. Ensure professionalism and confidentiality at all times, ensuring compliance with GDPR and data protection standards, and in all HR processes and communications Any other duties required to fulfil the requirements of the position Essential Criteria Essential Qualifications Degree-level qualification in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Youth Work, Education, Health & Wellbeing, or a related discipline. Safeguarding qualification or willingness to obtain. Training in Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Practice, SEN, or a related area. Essential Experience Experience supporting young people and vulnerable learners. Experience working with learners with a range of disabilities Experience of safeguarding and child protection procedures. Experience of multi-agency working and partnership development. Experience of developing and implementing learner support plans. Experience of working with parents, carers, employers, and external agencies. Knowledge and professional experience of using various IT packages to record and report on activities, in particular Microsoft Office using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams The ability to demonstrate excellent written & oral communication skills including the ability to work with disabled people and others, whilst exhibiting sensitivity, empathy, compassion and understanding Desirable Criteria Desirable Mental Health First Aid qualification. Experience within education, training, employability, or apprenticeship programmes. Knowledge of Skills for Life and Work provision and vocational training environments. Strong commitment to data protection (e.g. GDPR), confidentiality, and professional standards Strong organisational skills with attention to detail, including accurate record-keeping and data/document management Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines Collaborative team player with the ability to build positive working relationships Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and organisational needs Work with us What we can offer you: Hybrid Working Death in Service package Cash plan In house Counselling services Training and Development opportunities Enhanced Maternity packages Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being 27 days paid holidays per year and 11 bank holidays (Based on a full-time role) Opportunities for growth in business development, project implementation, training and development and personal development plans Additional Information Disability Action is an equal opportunities employer committed to providing opportunities for all. We offer salary packages that are reflective of experience and aligned with industry standards, alongside a supportive environment that encourages professional growth. As a progressive charity, we provide our employees with opportunities to develop their skills and gain experience across a wide range of areas in a secure and thriving workplace. We are a Responsible Body for Access NI. A disclosure check will be undertaken; however, a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining this role. TPBN1_NI