The Child and Family Agency was established on 1^st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services.  The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
• Alternative Care
• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

The purpose of the post is to assist in the provision of a social work service that seeks to improve the health and social wellbeing of the service users within the context of the local communities. S/he will achieve this thorough the implementation of an accessible, equitable, person-centred service.

This role is for a 3/6 month period, as an interim measure to allow the post holder to obtain CORU Registration. Appointment to a Social Worker Post is by means of the National Social Work Panel.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

The Interim Children Services Worker will practice in a restricted, supervised and supported Role in consultation with a Registered Professionally Qualified Social Worker carrying out the functions below:

• Provide a screening/initial assessment/further assessment and care planning service to the care group and to develop referral procedures with other social work networked services.
• The Interim Children Services Worker is required to integrate social work theory and research findings in their practice and to demonstrate a commitment to
• professional values and ethics.
• Under the supervision of both the Principal Social Worker, Social Work Team Leader and Senior Social Work Practitioner provide a direct point of access for the local community and offer initial and holistic social assessment and intervention to children, youth, families and groups.
• Identify service users’ individual and collective needs in partnership with them, and in consultation with the team, co create early interventions and/or social action strategies to meet those needs.
• Manage and prioritise a restricted caseload appropriate to the post in consultation with assigned Senior Social Work Practitioner and Principal Social Worker.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will provide supportive counselling, emotional and practical support, and information to service users and their families while under the guidance of a Professionally Qualified Social Worker.
• Adopt a holistic approach aimed at enhancing the quality of life, health and social wellbeing of all persons within the service area.
• Promote independence, self-reliance, self-determination and empowerment with      persons in their environment, with families and local groups.
• Make it possible for service users to advocate for their own needs, or where appropriate advocate on behalf of service users.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will plan, deliver and engage in systemic interventions as appropriate with children, youth and families, groups, organisations  and communities while under the guidance of a Professionally Qualified Social Worker.
• Participate and take leadership in community needs assessment and ongoing community involvement including initiating and participating in prevention and health promotion activities.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will deliver project work service in collaboration with other disciplines / agencies as required, in appropriate settings reflecting the needs of the service user.
• Assess where social conditions are a major factor in health and social wellbeing, consult and plan with the service user/ relevant team/ service and arrange appropriate social services for those who need them.
• Monitor and evaluate outcomes of person centred care plans for individual service users.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will actively participate as a member of the relevant team/ service in team building and change management initiatives.
• Attend case conferences, meetings and other relevant sessions as required.
• Attend court, tribunal’s etc. for the purpose of shadowing proceedings while under the guidance and supervision of a Professionally Qualified Social Worker.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the Agency.
• Incorporate Social Work values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.
• Implement models of best practice / evidence based practice.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will work within a key worker / case worker system, providing a co-ordinating role for case management where appropriate.
• Take direction from his / her line manager.
• Take an active role in an appropriate level of planned professional supervision, in accordance with the local/ national Supervision Policy.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will engage in reflective practice.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will keep the Team Leader fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.

Administrative

• The Interim Children Services Worker will maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
• Maintain accurate up to date records and files, and submit activity data as required.
• Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols and audit systems.
• Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring and budgetary control 
• of service in conjunction with the Social Work Team Leader/ Principal Social Worker.
• Collaborate with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker or designate in developing the service e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.
• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

• Education & Training

• The Interim Children Services Worker will maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.
• Engage in career and professional development planning in collaboration with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker.
• The Interim Children Services Worker will keep up to date with advances in Social Work research, and ongoing review and evaluation of literature relevant to the assigned area.
• Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.

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  Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

• The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

• Must have an entitlement to be registered and be in the process of registering with the Social Work Registration Board maintained at CORU (Transcripts of exam results and registration details will be required).

• Once CORU registration is received, maintain live annual registration on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU

• Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.