Job Description
Barnardos Family Support Project, The Mall, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary General Information Why work at Barnardos? At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience. Barnardos offers a competitive salary - recognising the experience you bring to the role Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work - life balance policy Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation Employee pension scheme with employer contribution Company Sick Pay Scheme An opportunity to help improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families by working in a trauma informed way Access to regular trauma informed support and supervision Ongoing support and access to training and professional development opportunities An opportunity to be part of a supportive team Access to the Employee Assistance Program for employees and their immediate family members Regular Breath, Body and mind sessions to support staff well-being Thurles Family Support service Barnardos Family Support services offer a range of therapeutic and trauma informed supports for families. These include for example: Individual sessions with children Sessions with siblings Parent and child sessions Group-based therapeutic support for children Parenting support - focusing on strengthening and modelling core-parenting skills Structured parent-child support The services are research based, needs-led and outcome-focused with the aim of enhancing and strengthening the parent-child relationship. The service operates Monday to Friday. Job Description Post: Project Worker Location: Thurles Responsible to: Project Co-ordinator Works with: Barnardos staff, service users and other agencies Job purpose To develop and implement programmes that respond to the needs of children and families referred to the service working in partnership with families and other organisational, community and voluntary bodies. Core Job Requirements To assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project. To plan, implement and review programmes for children/young people/carers/families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs. To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children. To record concerns promptly and accurately. To consult with the Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with Barnardos Child Protection policy. To work with children/young people/carers/families in a variety of ways, including group work, individual work and family work, centre based and outreach work. To key work individual children/young people/carers/families in order to meet their needs and to advocate on their behalf. To liaise effectively with families and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies and to attend and contribute to reviews and case conferences as required. To work in partnership with other Barnardos services to best meet the needs of children and families by collaborating resources with planned interventions targeting groups/families of shared need. To keep regular records in relation to all aspects of work and prepare reports as required. To gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role. To identify and document to the line manager any unmet needs of children/young people/carers/families within the service and to participate in the advocacy work of the agency. Requirements of all Barnardos staff Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations. To participate in regular supervision with your line manager. To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole. To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner. To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required. Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice. Participate in and engage with a performance management programme. Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role. To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer. To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies. To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate. To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time. To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal. Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work. Person Specification Personal Attributes Commitment to the delivery of quality services to children, young people, families and carers. Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate. Ability to work under pressure, make decisions in consultation with the line manager when appropriate. To be committed to adhering to best practice in the work and be innovative and open to change. Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post. Ability to form objective relationships with children, young people, families/carers, colleagues and other agencies. Experience A minimum of 2 years' post-qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families. Experience of working in partnership with families and carers. Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families. Qualifications A recognised third level practice qualification(1) (minimum Level 7 on the QQI) in one of the following: Early Childhood Care and Education Social Care Education Social Work Youth Work Or related discipline (Nursing, Psychology, Early Years Education). A full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car is essential. The post-holder is initially assigned to work in the Thurles Service but may be required in the future to work in other locations in the Tipperary area in line with organisational needs. Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. (1) Course content should include relevant student placements