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 in excess of €1.02billion and delivers its services through circa 5,000 people in 350 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

Barnahus

Barnahus 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 up to 18 years 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, and therapeutic services 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).

Barnahus provides an interagency response to children and families based in the Tusla regions. Barnahus is the pilot service for the implementation of the Barnahus model in Ireland. Barnahus is a member of the European Barnahus Network and project lead for the Promise 4 Project, a European Union-funded project aimed at implementation of the Barnahus model throughout Europe

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 Barnahus Manager.
• Take direct responsibility for implementation of the Barnahus model across the East region; particularly in relation to joint Specialist Interviewing, as part of a wider interagency team.
• Provide, if and when required, therapeutic screening, assessment and intervention to children and families with post-traumatic needs in partnership with the rest of the Barnahus therapy team.
• Supervise Barnahus Social Workers.
• Support Tusla Workers to deliver best practice to child victims of sexual abuse.
• Ensure the implementation of models of best practice / evidence-based practice, particularly the Barnahus Quality Standards.
• Ensure the delivery of social work services in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines, and protocols.
• Where required complete specialist therapeutic training, and undertake direct work.  
• Ensure the delivery of social work services, as part of a wider interagency team, 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 wellbeing.
• 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 local , national and European working groups / committees / for and as requested by the Barnahus Manager.
• Chair, attend and manage a range of meetings including interagency referral and review meetings and caseload review as required.
• Take direction from the Barnahus Manager.
• Take an active role in an appropriate level of planned professional supervision, in accordance with the local/national Supervision Policy
• Keep the Barnahus Manager 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

• West

  teams and promoting change management across the Barnahus region.
• 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 Barnahus Manager, if appropriate.
• Contribute to a range of reports including technical and financial reporting for the European Barnahus Network, annual reports, performance indicators etc. as required.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy, information sharing protocols, audit systems and referral and standard operating procedures.

• 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 Barnahus Manager as agreed when required.
• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT, particularly Tusla Caseload Management for Barnahus and   data collection tool.

Education and Training

The Social Worker Team leader will:

• Complete, if required specialist training in accordance with An Garda Siochana’s Specialist interview model and undertake joint interviews with Garda and Tusla Specialist interviewers across the region.

• 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, particularly in relation to HSE Sexual Assault Treatment Units, Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Services, An Garda Siochana’s Divisional Protective Services Units and therapy services for children.
• 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.