POSITION: SOCIAL CARE LEADER (FULLTIME)
LOCATION OF POST: DUBLIN 1
ORGANISATION
Sherrard House is a small Residential Centre which is run by a
Voluntary Organisation funded by Tusla catering for up to 5 young
teenage girls. Sherrard House is located in Dublin City Centre and
easily accessible by public transport. Sherrard House is inspected by
the Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Services Children’s
Residential Centres under the framework of the National Standards of
Children’s Residential Centres * (HIQA). Our
primary aim is to offer the young people in our care a nurturing,
caring and protective environment. We aim to support, encourage and
enable each young person to meet their full potential by working with
them in conjunction with their families, social workers, counsellors,
schools and other relevant professionals. We also aim to provide the
young people with positive life experiences, trusting positive
appropriate adult relationships and role models, doing so enables the
young people to learn new coping skills that can support them in their
interactions with their families, school, work and in their future
lives.
QUALIFICATIONS
Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Social Care or equivalent Level 7/8 in
related field such as Degree in Psychology, Child and Adolescent
Psychotherapy, Youth and Community Work, Social Work, Social Sciences
Teaching and Nursing. Two years post qualification experience in
residential care and/or working with vulnerable young people
desirable.
HOURS
The hours are varied and include shift work /weekend work and unsocial
hours on a roster of * hours monthly.
SALARY
Social Care Leader basic salary
Plus, on social hours, overnight allowance, twilight hours, premium
pay, and double pay on Sundays /Bank Holidays
REPORTING TO
Social Care Manager, Deputy Social Care Manager,
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
YOUNG PEOPLE
* To ensure the young people receive the highest standard of care,
education and development.
* To provide emotional support and create opportunities for each
young person to share their feelings about their own particular
situation.
* To manage each young person’s behaviour by creating a friendly,
safe, happy and caring environment for all.
* To promote a culture where children / young people and their
families are treated with dignity and respect, promoting a culture of
unconditional positive regard at all times
* To develop and implement age appropriate programmes for the young
people through Mentor work
* To promote a culture of attendance at school, training centres,
medical and clinical appointments
* To liaise with external agencies (schools, Social Workers,
counsellors, medical practitioners etc.) on behalf of the young
people, and work with personnel in a professional and respectful
manner
* To case Manage designated residents to ensure that a placement
plan is developed and followed for each young person
* Oversight of each young person’s placement support programmes,
monthly care planning audits, and responsibility of organising
placement planning meetings.
* To prepare reports for and attend case review
ADMINISTRATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE
* To practice and display excellent time management skills
* To attend team meetings and to report to the Social Care Manager
on matters affecting the delivery of service.
* To be accountable for any money spent on behalf of Sherrard House
during the course of duty. To ensure that sufficient funds are
available for day to day costs such as food, leisure activities, bus
fares etc. for the young people and that Mentors are provided with
money for associated expenses.
* To ensure that receipts for any money spent are returned at the
end of shift
* To ensure that the petty cash is balanced at the end of the shift
* To make written and verbal reports to the Social Care 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 in a timely manner.
* 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 Sherrard House procedures and policies.
* To undertake ongoing professional training and development.
* To attend regular supervision with the Deputy Social Care Manager
or Social Care Manager
* To supervise Social Care Workers and / or students as appropriate
/ required under the direction of the Deputy Social Care Manager or
Social Care Manager
* To prepare reports for and to participate in professional meetings
including case conferences and strategy meetings ensuring that all
records relating to those meetings are maintained to a high standard
as appropriate / required under the direction of the Deputy Social
Care Manager or Social Care Manager.
* To be responsible for decision making when on shift and in the
absence of the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care Manager as
appropriate, which will include accepting overall responsibility for
the residential centre.
* To provide cover for the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care
Manager in his/her absence as required under the direction of the
Social Care Manager.
* To work as part of a staff team to ensure aims, mission and vision
statements of the centre are achieved.
* To ensure that staff are aware of and implement current policies
and procedures within the unit in line with the national standards
relating to Children’s Residential homes
* To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to
time.
* To work live nights if deemed necessary.
* To be part of a team that provides on call to the centre.
* To organise SEN review group meetings monthly.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
* Comply with and contribute to the development of policies,
procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to
relevant legislation, regulations and standards in a timely manner.
* 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
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
* To undertake general household duties including meal preparation,
laundry, general cleanliness while on duty ensuring the house is
maintained to a high standard.
* To be aware of Fire and Safety Policies in the house at all times.
Work to ensure the safety of all staff and young people at all times
* To take part in regular supervision.
* To act as a shadow Leader to new staff; guiding them on best
practice and contributing to their induction in conjunction with the
Social Care Manager /Deputy Social Care Manager
* To ensure that adequate staffing levels are present at all times;
ensuring that staff are deployed in the most effective manner,
delegating responsibilities as appropriate
* To attend team meetings and report to the Social Care Manager /
Deputy Social Care Manager on matters affecting the delivery of
service in the centre
* To take part in ongoing Professional Training
PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE RELATED TO THE ROLE
* Demonstrate sufficient clinical and professional knowledge to
carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
* Demonstrate an understanding of theory and practice in the
delivery of care to the young people.
* Demonstrate sufficient awareness of policy, legislative and
professional requirements to ensure an appropriate standard of service
deliver (e.g. a working knowledge of the Children First Guidelines and
HIQA standards and requirements as related to the function of the
role).
* Child Care related Legislation, Regulation, Policy and Procedures.
* National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
* Child Development.
* Care / Placement Planning.
* Need / Risk Assessment Procedures.
* Intervention Procedures.
* Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice.
* Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the
role.
* Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.
COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A QUALITY SERVICE
* Demonstrate initiative and innovation in identifying areas for
service improvement.
* Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for
a user centred service.
* Display awareness and appreciation of the young people as expert
through experience including promoting the role of the young person in
care planning, decision-making and service development.
* Demonstrate the ability to empathise with and treat others with
dignity and respect.
* Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.
* Unconditional positive regard towards vulnerable young people.
LEADERSHIP AND TEAM SKILLS
* Demonstrate the ability to manage and develop self and others in a
busy working environment including the ability to prioritise caseloads
for self and others.
* Demonstrate effective supervision skills.
* Demonstrate effective leadership and team skills.
* Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrate the ability to manage conflict.
* Demonstrate effective flexibility and motivation.
* Demonstrate effective time management skills.
EVALUATING INFORMATION AND JUDGING SITUATIONS
* Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information and make effective
decisions especially with regard to the young people’s care.
* The ability to appropriately analyse and interpret information,
develop solutions and contribute to decisions quickly and accurately
as appropriate.
* A capacity to develop new proposals and recommend decisions on a
proactive basis.
* Confidently explain the rationale behind decisions when faced with
opposition or competing demands.
* Ability to seek advice as required
THE ABOVE JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST
OF ALL DUTIES INVOLVED AND CONSEQUENTLY, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO
PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS APPROPRIATE TO THE POSITION WHICH MAY BE
ASSIGNED TO YOU FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE ORGANISATION
Sherrard House values individual’s rights and freedoms in respect of
privacy and fully complies with the requirements of the Data
Protection Act *.
All roles within Sherrard House carry responsibility towards the
protection of personal and sensitive data.
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER CHILDREN FIRST NATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR THE
PROTECTION AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN (**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**)
The safety and welfare of children and young people is a key priority
for Sherrard House. All employees of Sherrard House are required to be
vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of
children and to bring them to the attention of the Designated Person
or in her absence Deputy Designated liaison person in a timely manner,
in keeping with Sherrard House Child Protection policies.
WHAT WE OFFER
* Professional supervision
* Professional Development training
* In House training
* Paid induction
* Access to Employee Assistance Programme
* The Bike to Work Scheme
* Taxsaver travel scheme
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit cover letter and CV to: _**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**_
CLOSING DATE: *th June *
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Catering