The post holder will have responsibility for contributing to the development and maintenance of high standards of professional practice and implementation of national policies in conjunction with the Principal Social Worker and Social Work Team Leaders. The role will involve peer support, mentoring less experienced staff, assisting in the development and implementation of induction programmes and taking a lead role in the supervision of social work students.

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

As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act.  You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

The team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection has the responsibility for providing a service to children and young people who newly arrived in Ireland seeking international protection and who are separated from their parents or their guardian. The team provides valuable support to these most vulnerable children/young people from various countries who come to Ireland for safety, refuge, and better quality of life and as applicants for International Protection.  The aim is to assist the young people in achieving their full potential through education and integration, to participate fully in Irish life and make a meaningful contribution to Irish Society through self-sufficiency and independence. To be supported with reunification where immediate family members join them in Ireland, escaping persecution, war and marginalisation in their country of origin.

The service is multifaceted with operational responsibility for Intake, Duty and Initial Assessment of children and young people notified to Tusla by the IPO under the International Protection Act (IPA) 2015; for the intake eligibility assessment of such referred young people to determine their eligibility for service under the Child Care Act, for the placement of the young person.

The service also manages teams for Children in Care and beneficiaries of temporary protection fleeing war in Ukraine and Subject to Placements under Section 5 of the 1991 Child Care Act; the provision of alternative care placements to Unaccompanied minors in Foster Care, Residential Care, Supported Lodgings and After Care Services.

The team is expanding and involved in extensive service review and development. It is a multicultural team with a strong team ethos committed to meeting the needs of all service users.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Co-ordination/Management

The Senior Social Work Practitioner will:

• Primarily responsible for the direct provision of quality social work service to children and families. He/she will work as a member of a social work team under direction and will be responsible for the management of a caseload.
• The Senior Practitioner remit will require enhanced responsibilities in relation to the case management process and/or involved in the discharge of statutory duties.
• Such responsibilities will include the ability to demonstrate enhanced levels of practice, competence/skills in areas such as direct practice with children and families, multi-agency working, knowledge of organisational systems and processes and the wider social policy context.
• The post holder will be expected to provide support and advice to other team members.

Professional/Clinical

• The Senior Social Work Practitioner will:
• Engage in direct practice with children and families including, where appropriate co-working with other practitioners.
• Undertake specific roles in discharging statutory responsibilities and implementing and implementing policies and procedures including a range of court related tasks.
• Engage with service users to promote participation.
• Provide support and advice to others in relation to their practice and professional development and may include mentoring staff.
• Assist in the Induction process for new staff.
• Access and participate in, as appropriate, research and other developmental activity relevant to improving standards of practice.
• Participate in the development of evidence based practice.
• Contribute to the learning and development of students and others as required.
• Promote high standards of Social Work practice.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of TUSLA’s governance framework, audit schedules and quality and service improvement agenda.
• Contribute to reviews of TUSLA policies and procedures relating to service for children and families.
• Contribute to needs assessment and service development.

Education & Training

• The Senior Social Work Practitioner 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.
• 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.
• Actively disseminate specialist knowledge to existing social work staff.
• Develop links with the Schools of Social Work.
• Provide placements for students with appropriate supervision.
• Provide guidance and supervision to student social workers and relevant others.
• In collaboration with the Social Worker Team Leader and Principal Social Worker, contribute to the development, provision and implementation of mentoring and individualised training programmes for social worker staff.
• Act as a resource by participating in the induction, education and training of social work colleagues, other health professionals and service user groups as required.

Administrative

• The Senior Social Work Practitioner will:
• Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and the Data Protection Acts.
• Maintain accurate up to date records and files and submit activity data as required.
• Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.
• Contribute to service developments by monitoring and evaluating emerging needs and trends and in consultation with Social Work Team Leaders/Principal Social Worker and other staff, to propose appropriate service developments.
• Conduct internal case reviews when required.
• Collaborate with the Social Worker Team Leader/Principal Social Worker or designate in developing the role of the Senior Social Work Practitioner and the service e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research

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 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.  Knowledge of legislation, policy, procedures and current issues in Children & Families service. Ability to work in a computer literate environment

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.