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

Purpose of Role

To provide support to new, or less experienced Foster Carers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Tusla Fostering Service in their Strategic Plan to provide peer support to new, or less experienced Foster Carers or where peer support is identified.
• Support the implementation of the Tusla Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025.
• Provide Peer Support for new, or less experienced Foster Carers.
• Provide Peer Support to other Foster Carers identified as requiring Peer Support.
• In collaboration with the local Fostering Service establish Peer Support Networks for Foster Carers.
• In collaboration with the local Fostering Service establish Peer Support Respite arrangements for Foster Carers.
• In collaboration with the local Fostering Service provide Peer Support with the Induction of new Foster Carers.
• In collaboration with the local Fostering Service assist in the development of the Training Needs Analysis of Foster Carers.
• In collaboration with the local Fostering Service assist in the delivery of training for Foster Carers.
• In collaboration with the local Fostering Service strengthen internal communications with Foster Carers and Tusla.
• Provide advice and support in the recruitment of new foster carers.
• Provide advice and support in the retention of Foster Carers.
• Identify opportunities for participation for Foster Carers.
• Support the Foster Carers in building partnership relationships with their local communities and internal and external stakeholders.
• In collaboration with the local Foster Care Service identify network supports and respite arrangements for Foster Carers.

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:

• Five years demonstrated satisfactory experience as a Foster Carer.

               And

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

And

• The agreement of the local Fostering Service regarding capacity to undertake the post. (If currently fostering)

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.