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 http://www.tusla.ie 

Purpose of Role- 

Support the Regional Chief Officers in oversight of matters of strategic and operational importance before the Courts (primarily District Courts).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Regional Chief Officers in oversight of matters of significance before the District Courts.
• Develop and oversee implementation of governance systems for the effective tracking, monitoring and timely resolution of court-related matters across regions.
• Maintain an onsite presence in the Dublin District Courts (due to demand/high numbers of childcare matters) as necessary to provide on-site support to Tusla staff on issues arising (and other courts if required).
• Maintain a watching brief in respect of contentious matters before the courts, and ensure liaison between Office for Legal Services, Member Firms and Social Work Team, to resolve this matter.
• Review all Court applications made under Section 47, and brief Regional Chief Officers and the Director of Services & Integration on the thematic issues arising from Section 47 directions.
• Where required, take the lead in decision making and resolution of areas of conflict in the Court. This can include supporting regional chief officers with cases under HSE/Tusla joint protocol cases before the Courts. 
• Keep the Area Manager fully informed and up to date on all significant matters before the Court, and if necessary to inform Regional Chief Officer, and other relevant personnel.
• Inform legal representatives on the Agency’ s position on strategic issues arising in Court   i.e. lack placements/Social Work recruitment/ SEAs and support consistent information being presented in Court, including the provision of evidence in Court where required.
• Lead on national engagement with GALS with regard to supporting collaborative and partnership working, taking into account  their separate role and function.
• Engage collaboratively with Court Liaison for Special Care in relation to relevant matters in the district court, and strategic planning in respect of court matters.
• Liaise with legal representative firms and OLS relating to any matters arising, service improvements required.
• Support ongoing capacity building for staff regarding court reports, court attendance and engagement with legal firms and GALs, including focused training, and updating best practice guidance to build confidence and competence in the courts.
• Develop updated court templates and training modules for national roll-out, in consultation with Chief Social Worker, Office of Legal Services and other key stakeholders.
• Engage with Principal Social Workers, and other relevant stakeholders e.g. OLS and Member Firms on service improvement and delivery in respect of court engagement and collaboration.

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

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

• 5 years or more experience in Court related work

• the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of 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.