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

• Informing external agencies that have contact with children and families of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children.
• Advising external agencies and organisations on how to access the appropriate Tusla -the Child and Family Agency services regarding child safeguarding concerns, allegations and reports relating to Children First National Guidance and Children First legislation.
• Advising Tusla - the Child and Family Agency on how its services might best facilitate the external agencies in dealing with issues under the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and Children First legislation.
• Advising the external agencies and organisations on the formulation of training programmes and materials that are based on the requirements of Children First National Guidance and Children First legislation.
• Developing and delivering child safeguarding training programmes, briefings and materials both in person and on line to support external agencies and organisations to meet their responsibilities under Children First National Guidance and Children First legislation.

Advising and supporting external agencies and organisations to develop child safeguarding policies and procedures.

Advising and supporting Tusla – Child and Family Agency on matters related to the understanding and implementation of Children First Legislation and National Guidance,

• including the development of child safeguarding related policies, procedures and templates as appropriate.
• Preparation of materials (leaflets, briefing documents guidance, templates etc.) for the information of, and dissemination to, external agencies and organisations.
• Linking external agencies and organisations as required to the appropriate specialist services internally and externally.
• Advising Tusla Commissioning and local funding managers in the area of Children First governance and oversight.
• Assisting Tusla Commissioning and local funding managers to support external agencies and organisations to meet their Children First responsibilities.
• Promoting positive links and communication between Tusla – the Child and Family Agency and external agencies and organisations.
• To compile and maintain relevant records and databases in relation to external agencies and organisations related to support and implementation of Children First Legislation and National Guidance.
• Any other duties that may be assigned to him/her by the National Manager for Children First.

NB The post holder’s function is not to officially endorse or “rubber stamp” in any official capacity the documentation on child safeguarding issues produced by any external agencies.

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:

• Possess a third level qualification relevant to the role.

• Three years’ post-qualification experience of working in child safeguarding, child care, or family support services, or similar.
• A knowledge of, or experience in, the areas of child-care, adult education, community development, Policy development, strategic development or change management.