Social Work Team Leader – 1 year contract

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.

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Summary of Main Duties

• Responsibility for the support and supervision of foster carers through a trauma informed approach.
• To work with the Directors and wider team to further develop and grow the service.
• Professional development in the areas of therapeutic fostering, understanding and responding to trauma and attachment related issues.

Responsibilities include:

Management and Supervision of Link Workers

• Supervise and manage a team of Fostering Link Workers and administrators in line with national standards and agency policy.
• Utilise and support Fostering Link Workers to utilise the Origins Therapeutic Model in all work with foster families.
• Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload as required / directed by the Principal Social Worker, in particular cases that require a high level of experience and expertise.
• Internal auditing of social work files and admin documentation.
• Further develop policies and procedures in line with Fostering Standards and best practices
• To contribute to the delivery of foster care training programme.
• To monitor and review carer competence ensuring the provision of quality foster placements to meet the needs of children and young people.
• To work collaboratively in assisting in the identification and matching of a suitable placement, in consultation with the Tusla, foster carers, and the child/young person where possible.
• To contribute to meetings in relation to the child in placement ensuring the representation of foster carers views and the needs of the     child in placement.
• Ensure that all work is recorded appropriately.
• Ensure that any concerns or significant incidents arising are responded to appropriately and in a timely manner, in line with the Children First Act 2015.
• Build positive relationships with Tusla social work departments, ensure that all relevant information is communicated effectively and attend meetings where necessary.
• To support and promote children’s participation in decision making that influences their lives.
• To participate in the on-call rota to support the provision of 24-hour support service to foster carers.

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Child Protection and Safeguarding

• Ensure that the protection of children and the promotion of their welfare is given absolute priority in line with relevant legislation.
• Ensure that the protection of children and the promotion of their welfare is given absolute priority in line with relevant legislation
• Ensure adherence to child protection procedures and legislation.
• Ensure that foster carers understand their responsibility in relation to child protection procedures and mandated reporting.
• Ensure adherence to child protection procedures and legislation.
• Ensure that foster carers understand their responsibility in relation to child protection procedures and mandated reporting.
• 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.
• 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

• To support the development of the trauma informed therapeutic model of practise ensuring the consistent delivery of a professional, supportive and high-quality service.
• Actively participate as a member of the Origins Team in building and developing a high level of skill and knowledge.
• 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.
• Participating in the induction, education and training foster carers and social work colleagues as required.
• Participate in the practice education of social work students.
• 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.

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.

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Person Specification, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

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

• Essential:

·       3 years post-qualification experience in Child and Family Social Work.

·       Experience of working with Foster Carers.

·       A good understanding of IT.

·       Must hold either NQSW or CQSW or equivalent and accredited to work in the ROI.

·       Must be registered with CORU.

·       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.

·       Good quality report writing skills.

·       Willingness to participate 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:      

·       Additional training and work experience in the areas of Developmental Trauma, Trauma Informed Care and Attachment.

·       Experience of completing assessments of Foster Carers.

·       Experience of delivering training.

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