The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st 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 manage the provision of a social work service within a multidisciplinary context and in so providing a person-centred service to individuals and families in community settings.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

The Social Worker Team Leader will:

• Be responsible for the management of the day-to-day provision of the social work service in conjunction with the Principal Social Worker.
• Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload as required / directed by the Principal Social Worker, in particular cases that require a high level of experience and expertise.
• Manage/ provide an initial assessment service to relevant/ all care groups and to develop referral procedures with other social work networked services.
• Ensure the implementation of models of best practice / evidence-based practice.
• Ensure the delivery of social work services in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols.
• Ensure the delivery of social work services in an integrated and multidisciplinary manner with a range of statutory and voluntary groups and organisations.
• Ensure the promotion of the social model of care and recognition of the social determinants of health and well-being.
• Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence, at individual and service levels.
• Provide an appropriate level of supervision for staff consistent with good practice and the local/ national supervision policy.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Participate in working groups / committees / fora as requested by the Principal Social Worker.
• Chair, attend and manage a range of meetings including case conferences as required.
• Attend court, tribunals etc. as and when required.
• Seek the advice of relevant personnel when appropriate / as required.
• Take direction from the Principal Social Worker.
• Take an active role in an appropriate level of planned professional supervision, in accordance with the local/ national Supervision Policy.
• Keep the Principal Social Worker fully informed and up to date on all significant matters.

Management

The Social Worker Team Leader will:

• Provide leadership and motivation in order to optimise service delivery by developing teams and promoting change management.
• Be responsible for the probationary appraisal of staff and the completion of probationary appraisal reports as required. Make appropriate recommendations regarding whether employees’ standard of work during probation is satisfactory and whether appointments should be confirmed.
• Ensure compliance with and implement HR policies and procedures and guidelines.
• Manage a budget as defined by the Principal Social Worker, if appropriate.
• Contribute to a range of reports including annual reports, performance indicators etc. as required.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy, information sharing protocols, audit systems and referral and integrated care pathways.
• Contribute to service plan process by recognising and replicating successful interventions and by identifying unmet needs and service requirements into the future.
• Ensure a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
• Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality.
• Deputise for the Principal Social Worker as agreed when required.
• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

Education & Training

The Social Worker Team Leader will:

• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by monitoring and reviewing the standards within their area of responsibility, participating in and organising continuous professional development initiatives and professional development planning.
• Keep updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice.
• Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health and Social Services.
• Actively engage in staff development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, mentoring, training and in-service needs of social workers.
• Act as a resource by participating in and promoting the education and training of Social Work colleagues, other health professionals and service user groups including clinical audit and research.
• Foster an understanding of the role and contribution of social work by providing professional consultation and education to other members of the service

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:

• Be registered in the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU.

And

• Maintain live annual registration on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU.

And

• Have three years relevant post qualification experience

And

• Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, professional and managerial 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.