Job Description

Client SupportCo-ordinator– Maternity Post
Clare Haven Services

Job Title:Client Support Co-ordinator

Accountable to:Services Manager, Clare Haven Services

TENURE OF EMPLOYMENT:

Maternity Post.

LOCATION:

The Client Support Co-ordinator will be based in Ennis Co. Clare.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Co-ordinate the development and delivery of all services which address the needs of the women and children accessing Clare Haven Services.

Supervise and co-ordinate the work of Client Support. Refuge and Childcare staff and support them in developing their work in line with best practice.

Implement case management system and oversee case-loads.

Work as part of the management team to put in place policies and procedures that are in line with best practice and appropriate to the needs of the service.

Work with relevant organisations to address barriers to access for women survivors and their children and enhance their capacity to respond effectively to domestic abuse.

Maintain appropriate administrative systems and carry out responsibilities as appropriate to the position.

Act as Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection and Welfare.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

  1. Ensure that all Client Support services are accessible, user friendly and appropriate to the needs of the women and children.
  2. Ensure an empowering and self directed approach is used to facilitate women accessing the service, to make decisions to enhance the safety and quality of life for themselves and their children.
  3. Supervise the development and implementation of support plans which address the specific needs of the individual service user and ensure that these are reviewed regularly.
  4. Ensure consistency and continuity of service, including aftercare for women and children who have accessed the refuge service.
  5. Promote positive child welfare and protection and ensure Clare Haven Services policy in this regard is followed at all times.
  6. Provide advocacy on behalf of women and children by attending case conferences/reviews and meetings when requested.

Development of Staff Teams:

  1. Work as part of the management team to promote positive staff relations and identify staff training and development needs.
  2. Co-ordinate the work of staff and provide supervision and supportto Client Support, Refuge and Childcare teams in accordance with Clare Haven Services Staff Supervision Policy.
  3. Ensure adequate staff cover for all Client Support, Refuge and Childcare services.
  4. Participate in supervision, staff meetings and other staff development activities as appropriate.

Policies and Procedures

  1. Identify gaps in service provision in relation to client support and childcare services and work with the management team to address these gaps;
  2. Develop and implement policies and procedures as required in line with current legislation and best practice.
  3. Ensure that best practice in relation to standards of health, hygiene and safety are maintained at all times.
  4. Ensure that written policies and procedures are adhered to at all times.
  5. Ensure all service users and staff members are aware of the complaints procedures and that complaints are dealt with in accordance with best practice guidelines.
  6. Contribute to the ongoing evaluation of Clare Haven Services and implement changes as required to reflect best practice and changing needs.

Advocacy and Interagency Work:

  1. Work proactively to strengthen interagency co-operation and understanding of domestic abuse in order to optimise the options and supports available to women and their children;
  2. Convene professional network meetings, as appropriate, in relation to supporting women survivors, assessing their needs and facilitating access to services;
  3. Attend as appropriate case conferences and other Tusla convened meetings to represent the interests of women survivors and/or their children and to advocate on their behalf.
  4. To participate in interagency policymaking fora, as appropriate and contribute to the development of policy and practice in accordance with recommended best practice.

Administrative and Other Responsibilities:

  1. To establish systems for maintaining files, records and other statistical information as appropriate to the needs of the service and ensure that all records are kept up-to-date;
  2. To provide written reports and other documentation on the service as required for internal and external purposes.
  3. Ensure that all case notes and documentation are recorded and stored in line with Data Protection Policy.
  4. Carrying out other tasks as appropriate to the position. These may vary depending on the changing needs of the women and children concerned.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

All employees are expected to familiarise themselves with Clare Haven’s Health and Safety Policy and adhere to the procedures detailed in that policy to ensure the health and safety of staff and service users and the security of the refuge. They are also expected to maintain related records up to date including the health and safety and daily logbooks, and to report all health or safety hazards to the Health and Safety Officer.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Each staff member is expected to observe the highest ethical standards, to treat all service users equally and fairly, to respect their right to confidentiality and to maintain confidentiality on all matters related to Clare Haven Services. Where there are child protection concerns Clare Haven’s policy on child welfare and protection must be followed and may include a referral to the relevant person in Tusla.

SALARY: The salary for the maternity cover post is €48,116

WORKING HOURS:

The normal working hours will be 9.00am – 5.00pm but flexibility will be required in accordance with the needs of the service and working unsocial hours may be required from time to time.

As the duties and responsibilities of any post in the Service may change with emerging needs of the Service, staff are expected to have a high level of flexibility, and a willingness and an ability to develop new approaches to their work. The context of this post may change as the organization changes.