The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st 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 in excess of €800m and delivers its services through circa 5,000 people in 350 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare

• Family Support

• Alternative Care

• Adoption

• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)

• Domestic Sexual and General Based Violence (DSGBV)

• Children’s Service Regulation

• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

 Purpose of Role:

To work as part of a team to provide a safe, caring environment for resident young people with the primary aim of providing the intervention necessary to address the issues that are preventing them from living at home, in foster care or in Community Based Centres in the case of Special Care Interventions.

To work as part of a team to provide a safe, caring environment for resident young people with the primary aim of providing the intervention necessary to address the issues that are preventing them from living at home, in foster care or in Community Based Centres in the case of Special Care Interventions

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Working with Children

• To participate in the development and implementation of Care and Placement Plans and to ensure appropriate recording of same

• To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the centre.

• To promote physical, emotional, social and religious welfare of each young person in care.

• To encourage attendance at school, training centres, medical and clinical appointments.

• To be responsible for the organisation of personal documents, arrangements, information and finance on behalf of the young person.

• To liaise with the parent, family, general services and other agencies on behalf of the young person.

• To attend meetings in relation to the care and developments of the young person.

• To engage in age-appropriate play and other activities with each child/young person within the centre.

• To engage in physical intervention where this is in keeping with local policies and procedures.

Household Activities

• To prepare and provide, in conjunction with the young people, well balanced meals of high quality.

• To undertake various aspects of home management including the household budget, upkeep and cleaning.

Administration and Accountability

• To attend team meetings and to report to the Social Care Leader / Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.

• To be accountable for any money spent on behalf of the Child and Family Agency during the course of duty.

• To make written and verbal reports to the Social Care Leader / Manager on a regular basis on the progress of development of the young person.

• Reporting and recording any incidents, however minor, that may happen to the young person or are caused by them.

• The supervision of students, as appropriate/required under the direction of the Social Care Manager.

• To be familiar with emergency procedures and to know who to contact in an emergency.

• To work as a member of a team.

• To keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.

• To implement the Child and Family Agency’s procedures and policies.

• To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

• To attend regular supervision with the Social Care Leader / Manager.

• To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

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:
a)

i) Ordinary Bachelor's Degree in Childcare awarded by a recognised body (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or the National Diploma in Childcare awarded by HETAC / DIT

or

ii) Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Social Care Studies awarded by a recognised body (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or the National Diploma in Applied Social Care Studies awarded by HETAC / DIT

or

iii) Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree in Social Care awarded by a recognised body (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or the Diploma in Social Care awarded by HETAC / DIT

or

iv) Diploma in Applied Social Studies / Social Care from DIT

or

v) Ordinary Bachelor's Degree in Social Care Practice awarded by a recognised body (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications)

or

vi) Ordinary Bachelor's Degree in Applied Social Studies (Disabilities) awarded by a recognised body (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or the National Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Disabilities), The Open Training College (HETAC Accredited)

or

vii) an equivalent qualification from another jurisdiction

 or one of the following

- Youth and Community Work qualification

- BA(Hons) Youth and Community Development

- BA (Hons) Psychology

- Addiction Studies Level 7

- BA (Hons) Counselling and Addiction Studies

- Disability Diploma (Primary Degree)

- Level 7 - Degree in Social Science (Level 7 Minimum)

and

b) a suitable standard of professional attainments

and

c) the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of office
** Minimum Level 7 QQI with practice placement component or minimum of 12 months post graduate experience working with young people.

 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