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

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Professional

• Provide direct line management, supervision and leadership for an Aftercare Service in accordance with the service delivery model.
• Ensure follow through and accountability on any responsibilities in relation to young people/young adults as agreed within the multi- disciplinary team.
• Keep the Principal Social Worker fully informed and up to date on all significant matters relating to the delivery of service.
• To take lead as chairperson of the area based aftercare interagency steering committee.
• Management and oversight of area based Aftercare Drop in Services.
• Managing enquiries, complaints and allegations from young adults engaged with the aftercare service in accordance with National Policy and Aftercare Policy Guidance documents.
• Seek the advice of relevant personnel as required.
• Contribute to the promotion, creation and maintenance of a welcoming, safe, caring, stable and supportive environment.
• Ensure the involvement of young people and young adults in decision-making on matters that affect their lives, at the individual and collective levels and proactively promote within Aftercare Service provision a range of structures, procedures, processes and practices to give young people and young adults the opportunity to have their voices heard and valued.
• Overseeing aftercare projects e.g. aftercare forums.

Administration and Accountability

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the service in keeping with good practice and Tusla objectives.
• Assist in the administration and day to day operation of the service.
• Ensure that all information and records relating to young people / young adults, their families, staff colleagues etc, are treated in a thoroughly professional manner in line with local guidelines and in accordance with the principles of confidentiality, data protection legislation and Freedom of Information.

Resource Management

• Provide leadership and motivation in order to optimise service delivery by developing teams and promoting change management.
• Supervise Aftercare Workers & other staff as appropriate. Be responsible for the maintenance of all relative HR Forms/Records and Payroll Returns.
• 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 Area Manager, including, financial packages for young people / young adults in aftercare and Aftercare service budgets.
• Contribute to a range of reports including annual reports, performance indicators, court reports etc. as required. Responsibility for returning quarterly metrics pertaining to Aftercare Service provision.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy, information sharing protocols, audit systems and referral and integrated care pathways.
• Contribute to service plan process by recognising and replicating successful interventions and by identifying unmet needs and service requirements into the future.
• Assist in ensuring that the Aftercare Service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

Training & Professional Development

• Participate in regular professional supervision.
• Provide guidance and education for work experience students.
• Undertake ongoing professional training and development.
• Engage in reflective and evidence based practice.
• Responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.
• Be responsible, in partnership with local Area Manager for the practice education of student through provision of placements and through support for workers who are practice educators within their departments.

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.

Please refer to the Candidate Information pack attached to this campaign for full and further detail.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

• Be registered in the Social Care Worker Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained at CORU (or have entitlement to be registered and obtain registration prior to appointment). Proof of CORU application will be required.

And

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

And

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

And

• Have a minimum of five years’ post qualification experience of working in a Children & Families Service or other relevant environment with a similarly challenging client group.