Workshop assistant jobs in Belfast
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Across our Research and Innovation directorate, we fund and support world leading dementia research. We work with researchers and NHS partners across the UK. We help turn ideas and discoveries into real change for people affected by dementia.
We are committed to a research culture that is collaborative, accessible and grounded in compassion. We value different perspectives. We want everyone to feel respected and heard.
We are now looking for three Assistants to join our team:
- Research Grants Assistant
- Research Engagement and Participation Assistant
- Research Nurse Programme Assistant
These roles sit within our wider Research and Influencing directorate. They each play an important part in delivering well-coordinated and inclusive research activity.
Each role is different. But they share a common purpose. To make dementia research easier to access, better connected, and more meaningful for everyone involved.
We are looking for people who are motivated by purpose. People who care about fairness in how work is done. People who believe inclusion should be lived, not just stated.
What you’ll do
Each of these roles helps make sure dementia research is well organised, accessible and meaningful. This includes people affected by dementia, researchers and partners.
As a Research Grants Assistant, you will help ensure our research funding processes run smoothly and fairly. You will support funding rounds, maintain accurate systems and records, and help coordinate panels, meetings and communications. Your work will help create a clear and supportive experience for researchers and colleagues, from application through to funded delivery. You will also support events and activities that help make our funding processes more transparent and accessible.
As a Research Engagement and Participation Assistant, you will help open up opportunities for more people to learn about and take part in dementia research. You will support engagement activities that reach diverse communities, helping ensure information is clear, welcoming and easy to understand. You will coordinate events and materials that encourage participation in research, support communication across teams, and help us listen to and reflect the voices of people affected by dementia in how we share opportunities.
As a Research Nurse Programme Assistant, you will support a national programme that is helping more people access dementia clinical trials across the UK. You will work with NHS sites, research nurses and colleagues across the UK Dementia Trials Network to support training, communication and coordination. You will help ensure information, resources and learning are shared consistently, and that people involved in the programme feel supported, informed and connected.
Across all three roles, you will:
- Provide reliable and thoughtful administrative and coordination support across research activity
- Maintain accurate, secure and well organised records and systems
- Support inclusive events, meetings, workshops and training sessions
- Communicate with researchers, NHS colleagues, partners and community members in a clear, respectful and accessible way
- Help ensure information is accurate, consistent and easy to understand
- Contribute to improving how we work so that processes are simpler, fairer and more effective for everyone
- Work collaboratively across teams, recognising and valuing different experiences, perspectives and ways of working
About you
We know people come to this work from many different places. You might have experience in research, health, science, policy or administration. You might come from community work, education, caring roles, the voluntary sector, or bring lived experience. You might be returning to work or changing direction. What matters most is how you work, not where you come from. We are looking for people who want to do meaningful work, who are thoughtful, and who bring care and reliability to what they do.
- Comfortable using IT systems, including databases, and open to learning new tools
- Able to work with a wide range of people with respect and care
- Experience supporting events, coordination or engagement work, or transferable skills from other settings
- Able to organise your time and manage multiple tasks with care and attention
- Interest in science, health, policy or research, and how evidence can improve lives and reduce inequality
Together, these roles offer an opportunity to contribute to dementia research that is shaped by inclusion, compassion and collaboration. You’ll be part of a team that values diverse experiences, listens to different voices, and works to make research more accessible and equitable for everyone involved. If you share our commitment to fairness, respect and meaningful impact, we would welcome your application.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society. We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply. Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need. To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.
Thank you!
Join our Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH) and make a meaningful difference in everyday life for adoptive, kinship and care-experienced families. We’re recruiting an Occupational Therapist with specialist expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and attachment-informed practice to deliver practical, trauma-informed assessment and intervention that strengthens regulation, participation and connection.
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Make a difference that families feel every day: co-produce practical strategies that support calmer routines, better sleep, smoother transitions and greater participation at home, school and in the community.
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Bring specialist sensory expertise: assess sensory processing and regulation needs and translate findings into clear, realistic plans for parents/carers and partner professionals.
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Work at the sensory–attachment interface: use a trauma- and attachment-informed lens to understand behaviour and build felt safety and co-regulation alongside sensory strategies.
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Thrive in an MDT: contribute an OT perspective to formulation-led work within PATH, collaborating with psychology and therapy colleagues to create joined-up support.
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Flexible, UK-wide reach: deliver support primarily online with occasional travel for team days, training or commissioned work (as required and agreed).
You’ll need:
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HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist.
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Strong experience supporting children/young people and their parents/carers (including complex presentations).
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Proven skills in sensory processing assessment and intervention, including regulation strategies, activity adaptation and environmental modification.
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Confidence working in an attachment- and trauma-informed way with adoptive/kinship/care-experienced families (or closely related work).
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Excellent communication and report-writing skills, able to translate specialist thinking into practical, non-judgemental guidance that families can use.
ROLE PROFILE
JOB TITLE:
Occupational Therapist
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Clinical Lead
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Clinical Director
HOURS OF WORK:
Full time / Part time
LOCATION:
Remote working with travel flexibility
DURATION:
Permanent
SALARY / GRADE:
Grade 8 - £43.471
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
- PATH team
- AUK staff
- Children and adults accessing our services
- Referrers and external agencies as appropriate
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Occupational Therapist (Sensory & Attachment) will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed occupational therapy assessment and intervention to families with a history of adoption, kinship care and long-term fostering. The postholder will bring advanced expertise in sensory processing/sensory integration and the impact of early adversity, attachment disruption and developmental trauma on regulation, participation and family life. The role will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) within PATH, contributing to formulation-led support, practical strategies and therapeutic approaches that strengthen safety, connection, and everyday functioning at home, school and in the community.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
·Provide specialist assessment and intervention where sensory processing differences interact with attachment needs, developmental trauma, neurodiversity and emotional/behavioural presentations.
·Co-produce practical, strengths-based support plans with parents/carers and, where appropriate, the child/young person; provide clear strategies that are realistic for family life.
·Deliver evidence-informed interventions (1:1 and group-based as appropriate) including sensory-based regulation strategies, activity adaptation, routine design, environmental modification and caregiver coaching.
·Integrate attachment- and trauma-informed principles (e.g., PACE/connection-based approaches) into OT recommendations, ensuring strategies support safety, relational connection and felt security.
·Contribute to MDT formulation and case discussions, offering an occupational therapy perspective on function, participation, sensory-motor development and regulation
·Prepare high-quality written outputs including assessment summaries, recommendations, letters and reports suitable for families and professionals; contribute to documentation required for commissioning/regulated service evidence as needed.
·Support families to understand the sensory, neurodevelopmental and trauma/attachment factors that may underpin behaviour and distress, and to implement strategies safely.
·Maintain accurate, timely records in line with organisational policies, data protection and confidentiality requirements.
·Contribute to the development of resources (e.g., guides, webinars, workshops) that translate specialist OT knowledge into accessible tools for families and professionals.
·Contribute to delivery of training in your specialist area (sensory processing, regulation, sensory-attachment interface) internally and externally.
·Actively manage a caseload, prioritising risk and complexity, and working within agreed service pathways, timescales and outcome measures.
CRITERIA
Knowledge and Experience
• Significant experience working with children and young people and their parents/carers.
• Experience delivering assessment and intervention for sensory processing differences and regulation needs.
• Experience delivering remote/online OT interventions and caregiver coaching.
• Experience of group work (parents/carers and/or young people).
• Experience of working with adopted children, previously looked-after children, kinship or long-term foster families (or closely related settings).
• Strong understanding of attachment, developmental trauma and the impact of early adversity on regulation, behaviour and participation.
• Ability to integrate sensory strategies with relational/attachment-informed approaches.
• Training/experience in DDP, PACE, NVR, therapeutic parenting or other attachment-informed models.
• Expert knowledge of sensory processing and sensory-based regulation strategies.
• Ability to differentiate sensory needs from (and understand overlap with) trauma responses, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental differences.
• Sensory Integration training (e.g., postgraduate modules) and/or recognised competency frameworks.
• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental profiles (e.g., autism, ADHD, DLD, FASD) and how these can interact with trauma/attachment and sensory processing.
• Ability to provide accessible psychoeducation to families and partner professionals.
Qualifications and Education
•Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy.
• Current HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist. Postgraduate training/qualification relevant to sensory integration, sensory processing or advanced paediatric OT practice.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)
• Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. DDP, Theraplay, BUSS model, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)
Skills and Abilities
• Experience of working within an MDT and contributing an OT perspective to shared formulations and plans.
•Leadership and support skills
•Group work skills
•A reflective and empowering approach
•Strong application of theory
•Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery
•A commitment to the voice of children and families
Accountability
•Consultant Clinical Psychologist
•Responsible for maintaining own professional standards
•Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity
Behaviours
•Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.
•Contributes to an open and honest culture
•Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.
•Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.
•Leads by example.
•Values transparency and consistency.
•Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.
•Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.
•Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities
•Shares skills and knowledge.
•Promotes Cross Functional team working.
•Offers outstanding service to members.
•Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.
•Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.
•Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.
•Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy
•Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.
•Takes pride in own development.
•Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.
•Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.
This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.
Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Adoption UK is the leading charity for adopted and care experienced people and adoptive families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.