Orchard Childrens Services Ltd

Job description

Job title: Social Worker - Family Placement Service

Team: Family Placement team

Reports to: Team Leader

1. Purpose of job

As a member of Orchard Childrens services the post holder will primarily work with the Fostering team undertaking recruitment, assessment, training and support of foster carers.

2. Principal Accountabilities

  • To provide quality assessments of prospective foster parents as well as regular supervision and support to ensure a high standard of services to children in the care of the Tusla child and family agency
  • To fulfil the requirements of legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and standards of good practice.
  • To comply with child protection procedures as identified in the Children First child protection guidelines.
  • To liaise with Tusla child and family agency social work colleagues to achieve appropriate placements and the best possible outcomes for children in the care of the Tusla.
  • To liaise with other relevant people both inside and outside the Orchard Family Placement service
  • To attend case conferences, court and other necessary meetings and to provide appropriate reports.
  • To contribute to the planning and development of services.
  • To contribute to the setting of objectives, and targets for the Family Placement Team

3. Visionand Context

The post is based in the Family Placement Team, part of the Children’s Services within Orchard Childrens Services. The role of the team is to provide fostering services to complement Tusla child and family agency services for children. The legal and procedural context of the team is based on the Children Bill, The Fostering Regulations

Orchard’s Family Placement Service is committed to ensuring that all children who need to be looked after by the Tusla child and family agency are placed in high quality fostering or placements that meet their individual needs.

The Fostering Service aims to provide variety and choice of placements and a diverse range of foster carers of different racial origin, religious persuasion and cultural and linguistic backgrounds to meet the assessed needs of children and young people and to respond to the current and predicted demand for placements.

The recruitment process is ongoing and involves the participation of existing foster carers and takes account of the views of the children and young people who are looked after by the Tusla.

The Fostering Services are subject to regular inspection by HIQA

4. Contacts

  • Team Leader and other colleagues within the Team and within Orchard Fostering.
  • Tusla child and family agency
  • Foster Carers
  • Children and young people in the care of the Tusla
  • Strategic Planning and Support Services Staff
  • Other statutory and voluntary agencies.

Person specification - Social Worker Fostering

Criteria / Essential/
desirable / Measurement
Qualifications & training
Professional qualification in social work i.e. CQSW, Masters in Social work or equivalent qualification validated in the Republic of Ireland / Essential / Application Form
Experience
Previous experience of working with children and families / Desirable / Application Form
Interview
Previous experience of working with vulnerable young people / Essential / Application Form
Interview
Experience of working for a statutory agency / Desirable / Application Form
Knowledge
Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation / Essential / Application Form
Interview
Knowledge of recent Government initiatives / Desirable / Interview
Knowledge of child protection procedures / Essential / Interview
Knowledge and understanding of the values of social work / Essential / Interview
Skills / Abilities
The ability to evaluate own practice and implement changes / Essential / Interview
The ability to work within agreed boundaries whilst recognising areas of discretion / Essential / Interview
Using sensitivity and observation skills to identify the needs of others in order to assess how they can be met / Essential / Interview
Ability to set clear objectives and work in a systematic way / Essential / Interview
Personal Qualities
Able to contribute as part of a team / Essential / Interview
Good verbal and non verbal communication skills / Essential / Interview
Good written communication skills / Essential / Application Form
Ability to work in a pressurised environment / Essential / Interview
Self motivated / Essential / Interview
Evidence of commitment to continued professional developmental / Essential / Application Form/
Interview

Additional information

The post holder must hold a full driving licence and have use of a car.

The post holder must be prepared to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends as required for which time off in lieu will be given.