Work With Us

Job Title: Business Development & Communications Executive
Duration of Contract: Fixed Term – 24 months
(With the possibility of moving to permanent)
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 09.00am to 5.00pm
Location: Central Office
Salary: £31,595 to £33,800 per annum
Accountable to: CEO

Mainstay was founded in 1990 by a group of dedicated parents and carers who came together with a shared vision: to create a local, high-quality service that would meet the care and support needs of their loved ones with learning disabilities and/or autism. Originally established as the Down Residential Project – offering a small residential home for just nine individuals – we have grown steadily over the years in response to the evolving needs of those we support. Today, Mainstay is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation, providing care and support to over 300 service users and clients across Residential, Supported Living, Short Breaks and Day Opportunities services in multiple locations in Downpatrick. Our 120+ passionate and highly trained staff work in close partnership with our service users, families, and professionals, as one big Mainstay Family.

Our mission has always been to deliver safe, effective and compassionate services that respect the individuality and potential of every person. We are now focused on becoming more outcome-driven – supporting people to see possibilities beyond their disabilities and empowering them to lead lives filled with purpose, independence and inclusion. At the heart of our approach is co production: working alongside the individuals we support to shape services that reflect their voice, needs and aspirations – regardless of the complexity of those needs.

To further this mission and create even more meaningful pathways for growth, Mainstay is now launching a new social enterprise. This enterprise will focus on meeting the support needs of adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, whilst creating meaningful opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. As a for-profit venture with a social purpose, all profits generated will be reinvested into enterprise workstreams to enhance opportunities and outcomes for the people we support – ensuring that every success feeds directly back into our community.

Job Purpose

The Business Development Executive will work closely with the CEO to support the development and growth of a new social enterprise organisation. The enterprise’s core purpose will be to meet the support needs of adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, while creating meaningful and person centered opportunities for development through learning, training, volunteering
and/or work placements.

A key aspect of the role will involve working collaboratively with Registered Managers and their teams to understand the individual needs, aspirations, and strengths of the people we support. This insight will inform the design of inclusive services and opportunities that are tailored to each person, promoting independence, choice, and real-world outcomes.

The postholder will also be responsible for identifying and developing business opportunities, securing funding, building partnerships, and contributing to the strategic direction of the enterprise to ensure it’s long-term sustainability and social impact. In addition, the Business Development Executive will oversee all communications relating to the enterprise. The postholder will manage both internal and external communications, create compelling marketing and promotional materials, and ensure the voices of adults with learning disabilities and/or autism are meaningfully represented. They will play a key role in building the enterprise’s brand, raising its profile, and engaging stakeholders across sectors.

Job Activities

• Work closely with the CEO to support the development, launch, and growth of a new social enterprise focused on supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Identify, research, and develop new business opportunities, funding streams and partnerships to support the enterprise’s mission and sustainability.
• Collaborate with Registered Managers and their teams to understand client needs and co-produce person-centered services that promote independence, choice, and meaningful engagement.
• Assist in the co-design and development of services and projects that provide learning, training, volunteering and/or work placement opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Project manage successful bids, overseeing the implementation of new projects until they are operational, including coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, across public, private and VCSE sector.
• Contribute to the development of strategic plans, business cases, and service models in collaboration with the CEO and wider team.
• Support the preparation of bids, grant applications, and tenders to secure income and investment for the enterprise. Monitor, evaluate and report on the impact and performance of projects and partnerships, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s social aims and objectives.
• Lead all internal and external communications related to the social enterprise, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with Mainstay’s values.
• Manage and regularly update content on the Mainstay website and social media platforms, ensuring they are current, engaging and accessible.
• Produce and distribute a monthly newsletter to share updates, stories, and opportunities with stakeholders, families and the wider community.
• Represent the organisation at meetings, events, and networks to promote the enterprise, share learning and build partnerships.
• Stay informed of sector trends, policy developments, and innovative practices to inform ongoing development of services and strategy.
• Champion the rights and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and/or autism, ensuring their voices are central to the design and delivery of all activities.

Person Specification

This role is ideal for someone who is a dynamic, values-driven professional with a passion for inclusion, innovation, and social impact. They will combine strong business development skills with a person-centered mindset and a flair for communications.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience in a business development, project management, or enterprise development role, preferably within a health, social care, community, or not-for-profit setting.
• Proven track record of identifying and developing new opportunities, services, or income streams.
• Experience of working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders including statutory bodies, voluntary sector partners, and community groups.
• Experience of writing funding applications, tenders, or business cases.
• Demonstrable experience in managing communications, including website content, social media platforms, and newsletters.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of person-centered practice and a commitment to co-production with individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences.
• Confident in the use of digital tools and platforms for communication
  and engagement (e.g., website CMS, email marketing tools, social
  media channels)
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to analyse needs, develop innovative solutions, and monitor impact.
• Good financial understanding of budgets and costings.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about improving opportunities and outcomes for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Creative, proactive, and adaptable, with a solution-focused approach.
• Able to work flexibly, including occasional evening or weekend commitments, where required.
• Strong team player, committed to collaboration and shared goals.
• Demonstrates integrity, empathy and respect in all relationships.

Essential Criteria

• 3 year’s relevant experience in a business development, project management, or enterprise development role, preferably within a health, social care, community, or not-for-profit setting
• GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or higher) or an equivalent
  qualification.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the development or management of a social enterprise or similar initiative, including funding and reporting.
• Relevant qualification in business, social enterprise or marketing.
• Knowledge of the social care or supported employment sectors.
• Knowledge of the funding landscape for charities.
• Full driving licence held for 1 year.
• Proficiency in CRM tools, digital marketing platforms, and MS Office.

What is a Support Worker?

Support Workers work as part of a team of support staff to provide individual, person-centered support for service users with learning disabilities and difficulties, complex needs and autism in a supported, residential and respite housing services.

As a Support Worker you will perform a variety of tasks, including domestic and personal care, support to access community, or leisure and social activities. It’s an important role and can be an extremely rewarding career, as you will be supporting someone to live an independent, active personal and social life to the best of their abilities.

Job Title: Support Worker (Night Duty)

Location: Mainstay DRP – Downpatrick
Location will be determined on appointment. Please note that all team members may be subject to transfer between locations according to client’s needs

Accountable to: Registered Manager of the service

Reports to: Senior of the service

Hours of work: Up to 40 hours per week

(Work includes irregular hours e.g. daytime, evenings, weekends, split shifts. And will require regular waking night duty and sleep in’s to meet the needs of our clients)

Salary: £12.53 – £13.76 per hour

As well as working every day in a fulfilling career, we also offer –

• Comprehensive training aligned to NISCC
• Free meals while on shift (all frontline staff)
• Support to gain market-leading qualifications
• Mentoring and on the job training from our experienced team members
• Auto enrolment pension
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Free parking on all of our sites
• Refer-a-friend bonus of £200
• Team Welfare Fund – Offering a loan of up to £500
• Rate of £70 for sleep in shifts
• Employer funded Healthcare scheme (which includes savings on high street retail outlets and gym membership)

Annual Leave: 20 days per annum (plus an additional 3 days following 5 years’ service) with 8 Bank Holidays per year.

Job Purpose:

 To support Mainstay in delivering their vison for any individual with a profound and multiple learning disability to lead a happy, healthy, fulfilled life of independence within their local community. All whilst being given choice and support, enabling them to live their best life possible. As a Support Worker you will ensure everyone is provided with choices and support to lead a happy, healthy independent life to the best of their abilities within their community.

Main tasks and responsibilities are:

 Support ALL clients to live THEIR best lives!

Compassion and Care

• Provide person-centered support to service users as identified in their support plans

Empowering

• Facilitate and enhance their daily and independent living skills

Motivational

• Inspire our service users to succeed and develop

Customer focus

• Act as a nominated co-worker for allocated service users, putting the service user at the heart of what they do

High Standards

• Accurately maintain records in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures, adhering to all guidelines and best practice

Role Model

• Be a positive, proactive and supportive member of our team

Creativity and Initiative

• Proactively develop new ideas to support our service users and to enhance how we work for our service users

Below are some examples of tasks you may be asked to complete each day, however each and every one of our clients are individual and have a different level of support required so all their care and support plans will let you know what they need.

Job Activities:

Service Lead (Applicable if at Point 3 and Point 4 of the pay scale) –

• Responsible for leading a shift, delegating key tasks to team members, ensuring all tasks are completed, and be the first point of escalation of issues
• Plan and implement activities on a shift including staffing levels, work allocation, transport.
• Ensure communication is effective and transparent to team members and service users, and all policies and procedures are understood and followed
• Report significant events to the relevant stakeholders in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures e.g. RQIA, NISCC, Supporting People, HSC Trusts, families.
• Safeguard the use of service users’ finances, managing checks and audits
• Ensure the medication policy is adhered to by all team members and breaches are escalated
• Complete sleep overs as required and be first response for any crisis intervention that may occur throughout the night

Support –

• Support our service users to meet their physical, personal and emotional needs as identified in their support plans, identifying and reporting changes in servicer users’ needs
• Support service users with growing their life skills, including advice & guidance to manage personal budgets, maintaining their property, living as part of a household, and to look after their health and wellbeing
• Participate in the planning and development of structured activity programmes for service users, which may include supporting service users with day activities and assessments
• Assist service users to overcome social exclusion by supporting them to attend and take part in community based social activities and play their part in the local community
• Fulfil the role as a Key Worker for service users and lead all liaisons with parents, carers, next of kin, medical professionals other third parties to ensure the best standard of support for each service user
• Review regular progression of service user’s SMART goals and outcomes. This includes the sourcing and implementation of additional support to achieve the goals.
• Maintain and review all Care/Support Plans and all relevant service user documentation

Care –

• Protect the rights and promote the interests of the service user
• Strive to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the servicer user
• Promote the independence of service users while protecting them from danger and harm
• Take part in the collection and distribution of money from our central office to your working location
• Support our service users with eating, drinking, personal care, and mobility as may be required and in line their support plans and best practice
• Report and escalate incidents appropriately and in good time, in line with our policies and procedures
• Maintain annual registration with the NISCC

General –

• Uphold the Mainstay DRP Code of Professional Conduct, in your role as a NISCC registered health and social care professional
• Actively participate in supervisions with your manager and develop your skills in required areas
• Actively and positively participate in regular team meetings
• Attend training events and courses as required in the fulfilment of your role
• Accurately maintain all records and administration in line with our policies and procedures, including using our online care logging system, and providing effective handover information to team members
• Adhere to all health and safety requirements in the fulfilment of the role

Skills you will need:

You will need to be able to develop a strong and trusting relationship with the person you are supporting and enjoy helping them to live life the way they choose. Your role is not to make decisions for them, but to help them live an independent life. A Support Worker needs to be –

• Highly motivated, and committed to delivering service excellence
• Committed to personal and professional development
• Can develop an approach to practice based on critical thinking, reflection and feedback
• Have the capacity and self-confidence to innovate
• Non-judgemental, with ability to empathise with clients
• Honest, trustworthy and respectful
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Flexible, energetic, positive and calming disposition
• Resilient and self-caring

What we need from you:

• Remember you are a professional Social Care worker and have signed up to the NISCC code of Standards and Practice
• To be punctual and demonstrate a strong teamwork ethic
• That you act in a professional way at all times
• Dedicate your time at work to supporting our clients
• Support your shift leader, Senior and Managers to deliver a first class service for our clients and service users
• Partake in training to ensure personal and professional development and maintain the required level of training compliance
• Follow all Heath and Safety guidelines
• Take responsibility for your work
• Share your skills and knowledge to support the organisation’s ongoing development

Essential Criteria

• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent IT and report writing skills
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation
• Knowledge of social care and NISCC standards

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with or offering support to a vulnerable client group
• Experience of providing personal care for vulnerable adults
• NVQ Level 2 in Care or Equivalent qualifications (or willingness to work towards), or suitable experience
• NVQ level 3 in Care or Equivalent qualifications
• Experience of working in a supported living/residential/care organisation
• Experience of working with people who have a learning disability and/or autism
• Experience of administration of medication
• Full and Valid UK Driving License (or access to suitable transport to allow you to for fill the duties of the role)

NOTE This position is subject to an Enhanced Access NI check. Copies of the relevant policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders as well as the Access NI Code of Practice are available on request. Please note that having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position with Mainstay.