Children First Training & Development Officer
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade / Children First Training & Development Officer(Social Worker Team Leader, Grade Code:3902)
Campaign Reference / NRS02659
Closing Date / Tuesday 4th August 2015 at 12 noon
Proposed Interview Date(s) / To be confirmed
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be agreed at Job Offer stage
Organisational Area / Primary Care Division – Regional and National HSE office locations
Location of Post / It is our intention to fill all permanent and specified purpose Children First Training & Development Officer vacancies in Regional and National HSE office locations through this campaign.
The post holder must be able to travel and be available to attend a minimum number of meetings in Dublin and other parts of the country. There will be flexibility around location subject to reaching agreement on the above.
Informal Enquiries:
Marie Faughey, Children First Lead
Enda Fulham, National Manager, Primary Care
Details of Service / Health care services in Ireland are undertaking a significant reform programme in line with Government policy as outlined in its strategy “Future Health – A Strategic Framework for the Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015.
Following the enactment of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, statutory responsibility for the protection and welfare of children moved from the HSE to the Child and Family Agency (CFA), with effect from the 1st January 2014. While the HSE no longer holds statutory responsibility under the Child Care Act 1991 for child protection and welfare, it continues to have significant responsibilities under the policy framework due to the range and number of services that are provided to children directly by the HSE and by funded agencies through service arrangements..
The HSE Leadership Team has identified the implementation of its Children First Implementation Plan as an organisation-wide priority in the 2015 Service Plan and the establishment of a National Children First Office is a key enabler to achieving this objective.
The Children First Team, providing a shared services approach, will work across all divisions and functions to ensure the implementation of Children First at all levels in the organisation and in HSE funded organisations.
The Health Service Executive Children First National Office will support the health and social care services of the HSE to meet their responsibilities under Children First 2011 and Children First legislation (when enacted). This will be achieved through the coordination of a national programme that will ensure that Service Sectors and individual units of service as required:
- Provide a child centred focus to service development and delivery
- Put in place the organisational infrastructure required to support and implement the requirements of Children First
- Under Children First legislation risk assess services against Children First Policy and have Child Safety Statements in place
- Have in place Policy and Reporting Procedures under Children First 2011 and Children First legislation
- Implement training strategies to ensure staff members receive a level of child protection training under Children First commensurate with their level of responsibility
- Have safe recruitment practices
- Have codes of conduct for staff members
- Have communication strategies that ensure that staff members, patients and service users are aware of child protection policy and procedures
- Have in place adequate procedures for managing allegations against staff members
- Have in place quality assurance systems that provide analysis and data to assist service improvement in respect of meeting the requirements of Children First
Reporting Relationship / Reports to the Director – National Children First Office
Key Working Relationships /
- All HSE Divisions, Functions and Services– Social Care, Primary Care, Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing, Acute Hospitals, National Ambulance Service, all Corporate Functions and other service areas
- Department of Health
- TUSLA Child & Family Agency
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs and all other relevant Government Departments
- Statutory Agencies & HSE Contracted Services
- Voluntary Agencies which hold a Service Agreement with HSE
- Private Contracted Services
Purpose of the Post / The Children First Training and Development Officer will assist in the development, delivery and evaluation of Children First compliance across the HSE and the HSE funded Sector.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Education & Training
- Work with practitioners and managers to identify the child care and protection training and development needs of designated groups of staff in line with service plan priorities and underpinned by Children First: National Guidance Child Protection & Welfare, 2011 and HSE Children First Implementation Plan 2015.
- Work independently and collectively with teams of staff to design, deliver and commission training and development opportunities to meet identified need.
- Co-ordinate and, with others, prioritise the delivery of courses with a focus on integrated working.
- Support the delivery of multi-agency child protection training as a member of the Children First Office Training and Development sub group.
- Link with Universities to enable staff to access advanced child protection training.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of training which has been delivered.
- Extend and maintain personal knowledge base in respect of specific and wider child care and protection issues.
- Mentor staff with academic assignments.
- Quality assurance and peer reviews of programmes delivery.
- Represent the National HSE Children First Office on various National, Regional and Local Partnership Groups and Fora.
- Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards and ensure that staff comply with same.
- Disseminate current research and best practice illustrations to staff across the HSE and the HSE funded sector.
- Provide mechanisms for information and communication transfer to ensure that key stakeholders and support team are updated on a regular basis
- Develop good working relationships with the key stakeholders
- Conduct weeklydiary meetings with line management and colleagues to discuss upcoming engagements, initiations, priority matters requiring response, etc.
- Develop and ensure the maintenance of an appropriate record management and filing system, adhering to policies and procedures including data management.
- Management/or maintenance of databases and registers
- Performance Management including activity reporting and analysis of Key Performance Indicators, monthly updates, status reports, as required.
- Prepare correspondence on behalf of the National Children First Office including drafting general replies and carrying out background research.
- Ensure all records are readily available to assist with the provision of information as required e.g. for Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information and, ensuring timelines are adhered to.
- Preparation, collation and management of documents required for meetings and presentations to ensure that the National Children First Office is fully prepared for all engagements.
- Contribute to the development of the office
- Maintain strict confidentiality and a high level of professionalism.
- All HSE employees must have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
- To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post possess:
1.Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
(i)Must be registered in the Social Work Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU
And
(ii)Maintain live annual registration on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU
And
(iii)Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
And
(iv)Have three years relevant post qualification experience
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.
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Post Specific Requirements / Have significant recent experience working as a Professionally Qualified Social Worker in a Child Protection role.
Experience in the design and delivery of training programmes.
Other requirements specific to the post / Access to transport as the post will involve travel.
The role may involve frequent travel and flexibility regarding hours of work between the hours of 8.00 am and 8.00 pm within a five over seven day roster will be required.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Professional Knowledge & Experience
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge and experience of working in child care and protection services.
- Demonstrate specific knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, current challenges to practice and ability to source and use research.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of risk assessment and care planning associated with child protection.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of training needs analysis
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience of the design and delivery of training programmes.
- Demonstrate an ability toundertake evaluation of training and produce evaluation reports as required.
- Demonstrate knowledge of relevant computer programmes e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Email etc
- Demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills to meet objectives within agreed timeframes.
- Demonstrate an ability to work to time schedules using a flexible approach to meet the needs of a range of stakeholders.
Evaluating Information, Problem Solving Skills & Decision Making
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret complex information effectively and make decisions in an efficient and timely manner.
- Demonstrate effective problem solving.
- Demonstrate experience of strong judgement in all external and internal interactions.
- Demonstrate an ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrateexperience of working effectively as a part of a team, and in association with colleagues across agencies.
- Demonstrate an ability to work independently when required.
- Demonstrate leadership and initiative skills
- Demonstrate excellent, verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key issues involved in managing the learning process in small and large group facilitation.
- Demonstrate an ability to give constructive feedback to encourage learning.
- Demonstrate high level interpersonal skills.
- A client/service user focus in the delivery of services.
- Demonstrate the ability to promote and implement change for the good of the service including identifying areas for improvement.
- Demonstrate evidence of a commitment to continuous improvement and of keeping up to date with issues relevant to the post.
Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executivewill run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicantson matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Children First Training & Development Officer
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure / The initial vacancies for this post are permanent and whole time. The postsarepensionable. A panel may be created from which future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration / The Salary scale for the post as at 01/07/2013 is:
€55,789 – €57,408 – €59,028 – €60,648 – €62,266 – €63,886 – €65,000 (pro rata)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is 37 hours per week.
The role may involve frequent travel and flexibility regarding hours of work between the hours of 8.00 am and 8.00 pm within a five over seven day roster will be required.
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave / The annual leave associated with the post is: 29 days per annum
Superannuation / This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No. 10/71.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998[1] / This post is one of those designated in accordance with Section 2 of the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment in this post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. Such officers will, on receiving a report of child abuse, adhere fully to the HSE Child Protection & Welfare Policy 2015.
Ethics in Public Office 1995 & 2001
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade V111 salary scale - €64,812 / Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;
A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website
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