Upside Community Worker Job Belfast Northern Ireland UK,Social Work

JOB DESCRIPTION

UPSIDE COMMUNITY WORKER
- Tayside National Voluntary Through care Programme (NVTP)

Post

Title:

Upside Community Worker

Project:
Upside

Contract Type:
Fixed Term – end 31 March 2028

Funder:
Scottish Government

Hours:

Part Time – 18 Hours

Salary Scale: £29,362 – £34,032 per annum (FTE), pro-rata for 18 hours per week (Scale Point 12-17)

Location:

Largely community based in Tayside area with regular travel to prison establishments. Upside office space available in Kirkaldy and Alloa, and some hybrid working from home.

Hybrid Working Available:
Yes

Accountable to:
Upside Senior Community Worker

Driving Licence and Own Car Required – Yes

Purpose

Providing relational support to people throughout their journey from prison to the community.

Please see the below ‘Partnership

Role Description
- Upside Community Worker’ for more detail.

Key Responsibilities

To work with individual's pre and post release from prison, working with the whole family to promote positive change and a safer lifestyle.
To support parents/carers to develop their parenting capacity and relationships with their children.
Work collaboratively with prison workers to support pre‑release planning alongside individuals.
Utilise appropriate tools for pre‑release engagement (face‑to‑face contact; email a prisoner (EMAP) correspondence, contribution to multi‑agency release planning meetings)
Supporting on the day of release (meet at prison) responding flexibly to individual and immediate needs e.g. housing, health, benefits.
To record, monitor and evaluate our work, including PULSE recording and complete partnership risk assessments.
Promote multiagency working, with a wide‑range of statutory and third‑sector partners, through relevant and proportionate information sharing.
Develop and promote partnership working with NVTP and key stakeholders.
To attend supervision, team meetings, staff development days and in‑house training sessions as appropriate
To liaise with other agencies and work in partnership with them to meet the needs of the whole family.
To contribute to the promotion and development of Circle’s work and services.
To work within Circle’s policies and procedures.
To work to the key responsibilities outlined in the Partnership Role Descriptor.

General

This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended in response to organisational needs. The postholder is expected to undertake any other duties appropriate to the level and nature of the post.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

A professional qualification in social work, social care, education, health, or another relevant discipline.

Desirable

Additional training or certification in areas such as counselling, trauma‑informed practice, child protection, or group facilitation.
Continuous professional development relevant to working with vulnerable families.

Knowledge & Experience Essential

Direct experience with children, parents, or families in a supportive capacity.
Knowledge of a variety of evidence‑based interventions and approaches for supporting families, particularly where substance use is an issue.
Proven experience of working in partnership with a range of agencies (e.g. schools, health services, social work, community organisations) to meet the needs of children and families.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, contributing to shared goals. Good understanding of child development, attachment, and the impact of trauma and adversity on children and families.
Familiarity with the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) framework and the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators.

Commitment to equal opportunities, anti‑discriminatory practice, and meaningful involvement of families in shaping support.

Desirable

Direct experience of working in a justice…