As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act.  You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of the post is to provide a social work service that seeks to improve the health and social wellbeing of the service users within the context of the local communities. S/he will achieve this thorough the implementation of an accessible, equitable, person-centred service.

Professional / Clinical

The Professionally Qualified Social Worker will:

• Provide a direct point of access for the local community and offer initial and holistic social assessment and intervention to children, youth, families and groups.
• Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Child Protection and Welfare, Fostercare etc.
• Provide an initial assessment service to the care group and to develop referral procedures with other social work networked services.
• Identify service users’ individual and collective needs in partnership with them and co-create early interventions and/or social action strategies to meet those needs.
• Manage and prioritise a caseload appropriate to the post.
• Provide supportive counselling, emotional and practical support, and information to service users and their families.
• Adopt a holistic approach aimed at enhancing the quality of life, health and social well-being of all persons within the service area.
• Promote independence, self-reliance, self-determination and empowerment with persons in their environment, with families and local groups.
• Make it possible for service users to advocate for their own needs, or where appropriate advocate on behalf of service users.
• Plan, deliver and engage in systemic interventions as appropriate with children, youth and families, groups, organisations and communities.
• Participate and take leadership in community needs assessment and ongoing community involvement including initiating and participating in prevention and health promotion activities.
• Deliver social work service in collaboration with other disciplines / agencies as required, in appropriate settings reflecting the needs of the service user.
• Assess where social conditions are a major factor in health and social wellbeing, consult and plan with the service user/ relevant team/ service and arrange appropriate social services for those who need them.
• Monitor and evaluate outcomes of person centred care plans for individual service users.
• Actively participate as a member of the relevant team/ service in team building and change management initiatives.
• Attend case conferences, meetings and other relevant fora as required.
• Attend court, tribunals etc as required.
• Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the employer.
• Incorporate Social Work values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.
• Implement models of best practice / evidence based practice.
• Work within a key worker / case worker system, providing a co-ordinating role for case management where appropriate.
• Take direction from his / her line manager.
• Take an active role in an appropriate level of planned professional supervision, in accordance with the local/ national Supervision Policy.
• Engage in reflective practice.
• Deputise for the Social Work Team Leader as agreed / appropriate.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Keep the Team Leader fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.

 Education & Training

The Professionally Qualified Social Worker will:

• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.
• Engage in career and professional development planning in collaboration with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker.
• Keep up to date with advances in Social Work research, and ongoing review and evaluation of literature relevant to the assigned area.
• Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.
• Act as a resource by participating in the induction, education and training of Social Work colleagues, other health professionals and service user groups as required.
• Participate in the practice education of student Social Workers.
• Support and train other staff in accordance with professional standards as appropriate.
• 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

The Professionally Qualified Social Worker will:

• 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 HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

 Administrative

The Professionally Qualified Social Worker will:

• Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
• Maintain accurate up to date records and files, and submit activity data as required.
• Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.
• Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols and audit systems.
• Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring and budgetary control of service in conjunction with the Social Work Team Leader/ Principal Social Worker.
• Collaborate with the Social Work Team Leader / Principal Social Worker or designate in developing the role of the Social Worker and the service e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.
• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

Skills Required