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

About the Regional Data Management Team

A Regional Data Management team is to be established under Tusla’s Reform Programme in each of Tusla’s six regions. Each team will be managed by a Regional Data Manager (this job specification). The team will report into the General Manager Regional Services under the Regional Chief Officer (RCO) and will work closely with members of the regional management team as well as colleagues in the Tusla ICT Directorate; the office of the Chief Social Worker and National Reporting functions in supporting the implementation of data management and digitisation initiatives for services across the Region.

Initially, the team will primarily consist of existing staff in each region who have played essential roles in the areas of information/data management and the implementation of case management systems. Tusla’s Reform programme provides an opportunity to now establish a dedicated unit in each region that brings these staff together as a team under this new Regional Data Manager post. The team is expected to consist of approximately 7 staff per region and this team may expand further over time.

About Tusla’ Digital Transformation and Data Management Strategy

The Regional Data Management team will have a key role in the implementation across the region of initiatives being delivered under Tusla’s Digital Transformation and Data Management Strategy. The use of digital systems and the advancement of data management in Tusla has progressed considerably over recent years. Tusla is delivering a digital transformation programme that aims to provide integrated systems and services that maximise the use of innovation in supporting all Tusla services. Furthermore, Tusla’s data management programme aims to enhance the management and benefits of data across Tusla in a secure, holistic and consistent manner. The overall strategy supports the recognition of the importance of digital systems and data management for efficient working, supporting the delivery of services, meeting regulatory requirements and as an important component of public trust. The strategic and all related systems and programmes are being led centrally by the Tusla ICT Directorate. For reference the current strategy is available here Tusla Data Management and Digital Transformation Strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Management

• Manage the Regional Data Management Team and resources (staff and budget) to ensure strong performance in the delivery of the services/functions under its remit across the region
• Ensure the team’s compliance with HR, financial and all other applicable policies and procedures and guidelines
• Manage the ongoing professional and performance development of the team
• Working with other managers under the Regional Chief Officer to support the operations of the region

Data Management

• Responsible for all information management related functions as required by TUSLA, the National Child and Family Agency to ensure that data standards established for the agency are being followed.
• Manage the collection, validation, quality assurance, compilation and reconciliation of performance management information – monthly, quarterly and annual performance metrics across the Region
• Manage the provision of information reporting to local, regional and national management
• Deliver presentations on performance and management information data to internal and external stakeholders as required
• Support for requests for data from external stakeholders such as regulators, parliamentary questions, media queries, partners and representative groups
• Manage the analysis and interpretation of regional data to inform decision making and policy development
• Manage data quality reporting and improvement initiatives across all services in the region
• Develop expertise in using the business intelligence, reporting, geo-spatial and other 
• platforms delivered by the ICT Directorate to support the information needs of the region
• Contribute to compliance with Data Protection, FOI legislation and regulatory standards.
• Manage initiatives to continuously enhance alignment to security and data protection/privacy best practice in the processing of data across the region
• Manage the implementation of Tusla’s national data related polices and standards in the region

Digital Systems

• Support the implementation in the region of the digital systems delivered by the national ICT Directorate. This includes the Agency’s national front door system (the Tusla Portal) and national case management system (the Tusla Case Management System)
• Manage the engagement/liaising with social work, social care, family support, administration and other teams to support their use of the systems
• Responsible for identifying, promoting and leading areas of improvement in systems, practice guidance and processes as they relate to the data and digital environment for the region.
• Responsible for identifying, promoting and leading areas of improvement in user learning/training and use of systems to ensure good case file/record keeping; and adherence to practice guidance and to data quality standards
• In conjunction with the Workforce Development team, ensure that staff in the region receive the appropriate training to support their use of the systems
• Manage opportunities to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness in the region by maximising the use and benefits of these systems
• Manage initiatives to continuously enhance data security and data protection/privacy good practice in the use of these systems across the region
• Work in collaboration with the national office under the Chief Social Worker to contribute to requirements development; change implementation; practice guidance; and other initiatives to improve the systems and their adoption in the region

Records Management

• Support the local delivery of records related initiatives coordinated by the National Records Management office under the ICT Directorate.
• Support the implementation of Tusla’s national records management related polices and standards
• Support monitoring and reporting on progress in relation to improvement initiatives

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:

• Hold a third level qualification level qualification relevant to the delivery of this role
• Have at least 3 years’ relevant experience in data management or digital systems with a track record of achievement in a complex organisation
• Have at least 3 years’ management experience – managing staff and general administration
• Strong knowledge of data management including analytics, records management and data quality
• Good knowledge of social work, social care and family support practice
• Have the capacity to deliver and present professional and timely information and reports.
• The ability to work independently as well as work with a wider multidisciplinary team in a complex and changing environment.
• Possess the requisite knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office, including a clear understanding of policy as it relates to this role.

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.