Bluestones Staffing
BSNI are working with Belfast City Council to recruit a Assistant Home Safety Officer. This role is temporary.
Employment type
Temporary
Number of people required
1
Target start date
08 Jun 2026
Duration
12 Weeks
Hours per week
15
Rate
PAYE: £15.82 per hour
Job location
4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP, United Kingdom
Main purpose of job
Responsible to the Assistant City Protection Manager, through the Home Safety Officer, for the efficient and effective performance of the duties of the post within agreed time and quality targets.
Assist the Home Safety Officer to make an effective contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the Home Safety Check Scheme
Assist with other relevant educational, training and promotional activities.
Summary of responsibilities and personal duties
Visit private homes in order to carry out inspections as part of the home safety check scheme to inspect for safety hazards, advise residents on home safety measures, based on current knowledge of risk and good practice.
Carry out a needs assessment for home safety equipment during a home safety inspection, provide approved equipment on this basis, and ensure that residents know how to use it safely to reduce their risk of accidental injury.
Undertake regular stock taking and update records for the ordering and distribution of equipment.
Inspect and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and make appropriate referrals to the Environmental Health Service and /or the NIFRS.
Work with people over the age of 65, vulnerable adults, families with children under 5, vulnerable children and people from ethnic minorities and those who require additional support under the terms of the Service Level Agreements with Public Health Agency (PHA) for Home Safety services.
Make appropriate referrals to statutory agencies such as NIFRS, Occupational Therapists, Social Services, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Policing Community Safety Partnership, Sensory Support Team, local Councils, voluntary and community groups on the basis of a needs assessment and with the consent of the resident.
Undertake the full range of daily administrative tasks required to deliver the home check scheme including the arrangement of appointments and maintain electronic records for each home safety visit including on the Regional Home Safety IT system (recording through tablets).
Meet targets for home visits in each Council area based on Service Level Agreements with Public Health Agency (PHA) and other relevant agencies, prioritising those most at risk.
Assist in the training of students, new members of staff and any other person assigned to the section as required.
Support the Home Safety Officer in raising the profile of Home Safety issues throughout the Belfast City Council area.
Keep under review developments in the field of home safety to ensure a sound knowledge of current statistical information, legislation, specific hazards and their avoidance, current good practice and official guidance.
Support the Home Safety Officer with educational and promotional work related to Home Safety as part of an agreed programme of activities, including organising and implementing campaigns and exhibitions, preparation of publicity material, source/design/preparation of promotional materials, and giving talks to relevant groups e.g. Council Summer Schemes, Health Visitor talks.
Participate in meetings of the cross-departmental Officers Working Group on Older People as required.
Attend relevant training sessions and meetings as required to include supporting Home Accident Prevention (HAP) Local groups.
Support relevant departmental business support staff in undertaking general administrative duties related to the scheme.
Participate as directed in the Councils recruitment and selection procedures.
Act in accordance with the Council and departmental policies and procedures including customer care, equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding and any pertinent legislation.
Participate in all induction and in-service training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management policies and procedures, as appropriate, including, absence management, disciplinary and grievance procedure.
Undertake such other relevant duties as may from time to time be required.
Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the council.
This job description has been written at a time of significant organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role.
Essential criteria
Driving licence and experience
Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms:
possess a full, current driving licence which enables them to drive in Northern Ireland and have their own transport available at all times for official council business or have access to a form of transport which enables them to meet the requirements of the post in full[1];
have at least one years relevant experience of working in the area of the community, voluntary, social or rural sector. This work must include at least one years relevant experience in each of the following areas:
risk assessment or accident prevention;
working with members of the public including young children or vulnerable adults; and
using standard MS Office applications, for example, Word, Excel and Outlook.
Special skills and attributes
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they possess following special skills and attributes which may be tested at interview:
Written communication skills: a good standard of literacy and comprehension i.e. the ability to draft letters and reports.
Oral communication skills: Effective oral communication skills with the ability to listen to others, assimilate information and, convey it to others clearly and using plain English.
Team working skills: the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Analysis and decision making skills: the ability to gather and analyse information and to make day to day decisions on operational issues so that objectives are achieved.
Work planning skills: the ability to prioritise and plan work to ensure satisfactorily completion.
Customer care skills: the ability to respond appropriately to the public and other external agencies in a helpful and positive way, meeting their needs and presenting a good image of the Council.
Information technology skills: the ability to make effective use of information technology software including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
Health and safety knowledge: an understanding of the importance of personal responsibility for health and safety compliance with the ability to undertake risk assessments and advise effectively on home safety.
[1] Please be advised that this alternative is a ‘reasonable adjustment’ specifically for applicants with disabilities who, as a result of their disability, are unable to hold a full, current driving licence. However please also be advised that, given the business need for the post-holder to visit private homes to carry out inspections for safety hazards, advise residents on home safety and inspect, diagnose and rectify minor electrical faults across the city, the ‘reasonableness’ of this adjustment will be thoroughly considered prior to any appointment being made.
For more information contact Jessica or Debbie on 02895219313
BSNI are an acting recruitment agency.