Basic Grade Fostering Link Social Worker (Pathway to Senior Practitioner)

Origins Foster Care is Recruiting for a full-time Basic Grade Fostering Link Social Worker (Pathway to Senior Practitioner)

Origins Foster Care is an Irish independent fostering agency, owned and managed by social workers, that aims to provide a collaborate and supportive approach to foster care. Our therapeutic framework is based on the most up-to-date research and training in the areas of attachment and developmental trauma. We have a strong ethos of respecting and valuing foster carers for what they do and the important role that they play in the lives of the children they are caring for. We are currently expanding our team and looking for applicants with an interest in developing their skills and knowledge in the area of therapeutic foster care. 

Job Description

Job Title: Basic Grade Fostering Link Social Worker (Pathway to Senior Practitioner)

Responsible To: Social Work Team Leader Fostering

Location: Leinster

Hours: Full-time(flexibility required including occasional evenings/weekends)

Permanent contract subject to successfully passing the 6 months’ probation period.

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Central to the Role

• Responsibility for the support and supervision of foster carers through a trauma informed approach.
• To work with the Team Leader and wider team to further develop and grow the service.
• This is a special developmental role: the successful candidate will join a structured pathway to becoming a Senior Practitioner within Origins Foster Care. Through dedicated supervision, mentoring, and specialist training in trauma, attachment, and therapeutic fostering, the postholder will be supported to grow professionally and take on senior practice responsibilities over time.

Support and Supervision of foster carers

• To provide regular support and supervision to foster families in line with national standards and agency policy.
• To participate in the on-call rota to support the provision of 24-hour support service to foster carers.
• Offer trauma-informed guidance and practical strategies to foster carers to help them meet children’s needs.
• Monitor and promote the wellbeing, safety, and progress of children in placement.
• Utilise the Origins Therapeutic Model in all work with foster families.
• Contribute to the assessment, approval, and review of foster carers.
• Facilitate foster carer training and development programmes, using trauma and attachment-informed frameworks.

Child Protection and Safeguarding

• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection, in line with Tusla regulations and Children First guidelines.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case records in line with agency policies and CORU standards.
• Participate in statutory reviews, planning meetings, and child protection conferences.
• Ensure that all critical incidents/allegations/serious concerns and complaints are recorded and investigated, in line with Origins and Tusla child protection policy and procedure.

Social Work Practice

• Work in partnership with children, foster families, Tusla, schools, and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Ensure the voice of the child is central in care planning and decision-making.
• Contribute to team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and agency development.
• Participate in professional supervision, in accordance with agency policy.
• Participate in continuous professional development.
• Engage in reflective practice meetings and individual sessions.
• Keep up to date with advances in social work research and international best practice.
• Incorporate social work values and ethical principles in all aspects of the role.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.

Compliance

·   Ensure that the service to foster carers and children is delivered in line with Origins policies, national standards, legislation, regulations and statutory requirements.

·   Ensure that all records are maintained to a professional standard in line with Origins recording policy.

·   Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.

·   To ensure that foster carers understand and operate in line with agency policy, national standards and regulations.

·   Ensure that all children placed receive a copy of the Origins complaints procedure, that children/young people are advised of their rights and that the child’s voice plays a key role in the development and delivery of the service.

Professional Development Pathway

• Planned progression from Basic Grade Fostering Link Social Worker to Senior Practitioner.
• Structured supervision and mentoring from experienced senior staff.
• Access to specialist training in trauma, attachment, and systemic practice.
• Opportunities to take on enhanced responsibilities as skills and confidence grow.

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Additional Duties

Due to the nature of the role the actual hours of work may differ from the standard Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and you will be expected to work in a flexible way and provide additional working time where necessary when tasks not specifically covered in the job description, have to be undertaken. For those directly working with carers and children or young people, this may include working in the evenings or at weekends on occasions.

1. The post holder will respond sensitively and professionally to the children, young people and families who work with Origins.
2. The post holder will be expected to undertake training and development deemed necessary for the pursuance of the post.
3. The post holder will be expected to reach a minimum basic standard of I.T. competence to be able to use company electronic systems effectively.
4. The post holder will be expected to ensure that Health and Safety is observed in the course of employment.
5. The post holder will be expected to ensure and comply with Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedure in all employment practices.
6. The post holder will be expected to comply with the no smoking policy in place.
7. The post holder will be expected to work effectively as part of the Origins team.
8. The post holder will be expected to participate in the development of Origins to meet its aims and objectives.
9. The post holder will be expected to uphold and promote the professional image of Origins at all time.
10. The post holder will be expected to adhere to the principals of the Data Protection Legislation.
11. The post holder will be expected to promote and maintain positive anti-racist, anti-homophobic, anti-sexist, multicultural and inclusive practices.
12. Ensuring compliance with safeguarding procedures, throughout all work within the Company, keeping the Director informed of work in progress and informs the Director immediately of any child protection matter or serious complaint. Ensuring compliance with Child Protection Procedures with special reference to Children First Guidelines, Children First Act 2015 and reporting procedures.

Person Specification for Link Social Worker

When completing your application you should demonstrate the extent to which you have the necessary education, experience, knowledge and skills identified for the post below:

Essential

• Must hold either NQSW or CQSW or equivalent and accredited to work in the ROI.
• Must be registered with CORU.
• A good understanding of IT.
• A proven track record in working with and or on behalf of children, respecting and maintaining their individuality and promoting their positive development.
• A good working knowledge of relevant legislation including: Child Care Act 1991and related regulation or guidance, Children First Act 2015. National Standards in Foster Care 2003. Adoption law, an understanding of the role of children’s Social Workers; Knowledge of the role of other agencies in particular, Health and Education; Knowledge of the growth and development of children.
• A sound knowledge of child protection procedures and fostering standards and procedures.
• Ability to work with a degree of autonomy, in a flexible and creative manner, within the agencies policies and procedures.
• Ability to work in partnership with placing Tusla areas.
• Report writing skills.
• Participation in an ‘On Call’ service for Carers out of Origins hours.
• Prepared to be flexible regarding working hours including evening and week-end working.
• Willingness to travel nationwide is required.
• Full current Driving Licence and have the use of a car.
• A commitment to Equal opportunities in all work practices.

Desirable

• 2 years post-qualification experience in Child and Family Social Work.
• Experience of working with Foster Carers.
• Assessment of Foster Carers.
• Experience of delivering training.

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