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 Barnahus model is a multi-disciplinary and interagency intervention responding to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) that is delivered in a child-friendly setting. The model offers forensic interviews for children from approximately 3 to 18 years of age that are carried out according to an evidence based protocol; medical evaluation for forensic investigative purposes as well as to ensure the child’s physical well-being and recovery; psychological support, short and long term therapeutic services for trauma to the child and non-offending family members and caretakers; and assessment of protection needs of the child victim and siblings in the family (Promise Project 2015).

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Professional /Clinical:

• Develop and manage the operational tasks of the Barnahus in collaboration with Partner Agencies
• Collaborate with other agencies, service providers and representatives of service users to ensure the delivery of an integrated and comprehensive Barnahus service
• Establish national policy, procedures and protocols with regard to offender management in Tusla and as required for the operation for SORAM
• Ensure the effective operation of the Barnahus service in integration with relevant services provided by An Garda Siochana and the HSE
• Ensure the effective operation of the Barnahus service in integration with Tusla child protection services and Therapy services
• In consultation with Barnahus partner agencies, develop and implement formal review processes of Barnahus services
• Be responsible for the collation and analysis of Barnahus data
• Provide clinical and professional leadership and support to Barnahus Tusla staff
• Provide clinical specialist consultation and support to local partner agencies
• Attend for regular supervision within the framework of the supervision policy of The Child and Family Agency
• Provide testimony if called upon as a witness on behalf of the Barnahus
• Ensure that Barnahus policy and procedures in development adhere to "Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children"
• Develop and maintain models of best practice in co-working with related agencies
• As required, undertake direct work with children and families at the Barnahus;
• Represent Barnahus in public and professional forums relating to child sexual abuse assessment and therapy.
• Chair regional and national forums as appropriate in the development of sexual based services
• Work closely with the Regional Therapy Manager to ensure integration and co-ordination and management of Therapy services
• Ensure that the assessment of the young person’s clinical needs is multi-disciplinary and completed in consultation with the young person, their family of origin, their social work team and the wider system to include care teams/foster carers and other appropriate stakeholders
• Ensure that each young person accepted as an appropriate referral has a robust assessment of their clinical needs and an individual therapeutic plan that is developed, delivered and reviewed in collaboration and partnership with the relevant stakeholders
• Coordinate and chair weekly Barnahus team meetings or designate as appropriate
• Ensure that the delivery of service is in accordance with the relevant legislation, policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines. Lead on the identification of any further policies, protocols, procedures and guidelines which may be required
• Develop and build strong alliances with other heads of services, professionals, specialist services, community and voluntary organisations in the regional area to ensure that children and young people can avail of integrated quality care
• Work with the Barnahus team to have an innovative and creative approach to service delivery
• Lead the implementation of clinical audit and quality initiatives and evaluate the outcomes of service provision
• Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence at individual and service levels
• Provide as required information, professional advice and guidance to Senior Tusla Management for the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of services

Management

• Have full responsibility and accountability for managing the Barnahus service
• Be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Barnahus service including Health, Safety and Welfare needs of staff working in the Centre as well as service users
• Liaise with the partner Barnahus managers regarding the effective operation of clinical governance structures in place
• Report and advise on staffing needs to the Barnahus General Manager within the Office of the Chief Social Worker.
• Liaise with staff, Staff representative organisations and Employee relations departments on service/staff issues in line with current Tusla policy.
• Oversee the implementation of an appropriate performance management system for the delivery of a high-quality service
• Manage the delegated budget for the day-to-day operation of the Barnahus in line with the relevant financial regulations. Liaise with the partner Barnahus managers regarding the allocation of budget towards training and equipment as required
• Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring, and service planning and budgetary control in liaison with partner Barnahus managers
• Keep updated on current and impending legislation and its perceived impact on practice
• Keep abreast of and ensure service delivery corresponds to developments in national policies and strategies and best national and international practice
• Keep up to date with national and organisational developments in Tusla
• Provide service delivery reports as required e.g. service plan, annual reports;
• Undertake responsibility for Therapy service evaluation to facilitate improved services and integrated care
• Implement strategies in liaison with partner Barnahus managers to ensure that there is maximum service user involvement in the planning and delivery of the service;
• Ensure compliance with a high standard of documentation including service user files in accordance with local policy and relevant legislation, Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection legislation as they apply to the service user and service administration
• Engage in IT developments as required
• Manage PQ’s, complaints, incidents, health and safety matters in liaison with partner Barnahus managers
• Ensure there are robust child safeguarding processes in place
• Promote a culture of shared respect, commitment and participation amongst staff in the management of change
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the work place.
• Provide strategic oversight of the commissioning of third-party agencies to ensure the effective delivery of services as required.

Education and Training

• Be responsible for strategy and policy on practice development, education and professional duties for the staff
• In liaison with partner Barnahus managers manage mandatory and other relevant team training to ensure professional development requirements are met
• Ensure that each staff member has an individual Personal Development Plan which will inform the overall team training needs analysis in line with the Tusla National Strategy for Continuing Professional Development
• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and ensure compliance with statutory registration requirements for all reporting staff
• Be informed of advances in professional knowledge and practice and ensure their dissemination amongst Barnahus staff

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.
• Lead the service in maintaining a safe environment for service users, staff and visitors by ensuring quality risk assessment and reporting is in place;
• Ensure completion of the NIMS(National Incident Report Form) when appropriate;
• 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:

• Current Professional Qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Care, Addiction or Occupational Therapy. Relevant disciplines must be registered with CORU where there is a professional requirement to register

Or

• Current qualified nurse and be registered in the Relevant Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or have entitlement to be registered and obtain registration prior to appointment

And

• 5 years relevant post qualification experience

And

• Experience of managing a professional or clinical team

And

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