Advocacy Worker - Clarecare, 2 Days Per Week (Wed/Thurs) Permanent

Clarecare's vision is to be the trusted quality care provider within our communities by supporting individuals and families to reach their full potential Clarecare is a professional accredited social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of person centred services for over 55 years to individuals and families in Co. Clare. Current services include Family Support, Older Person Services and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre.  Clarecare's headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon. Further information is available on www.clarecare.ie        www.bushypark.ie Our Vision:  is to be the trusted quality care provider within our communities by supporting individuals and families to reach their full potential.
Our Mission: is to provide person-centred services to individuals and families within our communities.
Our Core Values:   Collaborate Accountability Respect Empathy Trust Clarecare's Family Support Service Clarecare Community Based Family Support Service is a service funded by Tusla and is part of a broad range of support services provided by Clarecare in County Clare. The Family Support Service offers individual and group support for parents, and individual support for children and adolescents.
Working from a relationship-based practice approach, our professional family support staff aim to enhance parenting, family relationships and communication; and improve resilience, safety and wellbeing in all aspects of a child's life.
  Job Description   Advocacy Worker  for Parents of Children In Care   -  2 days per week (Wed/Thurs) - Permanent Contract   Advocacy Service:   The Clarecare Advocacy Service provides support for parents whose children are in the care of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla (foster care or residential care) in Co. Clare.
The service aims to support parents to be actively and positively involved in their children's lives while they are in care.
The advocacy service supports parents whose children are in the care of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla in Co. Clare.
The service offers:         One-to one support and group information sessions.
        Support to parents in preparing for child-in-care meetings and accompaniment to meetings if they wish.
        Support to parents in putting their point of views across  at Tusla meetings and to be involved in their child's care plan.
  Further information on the service is available on https://clarecare.ie/advocacy-service-for-parents-of-children-in-care/     JOB RELATIONS: The  Advocacy Worker  will report to the Family Support Services Manager or designate and work as part of a multi-disciplinary Family Support Services team. The Clarecare Family Support Services Manager has overall responsibility for Family Support Services.    DURATION OF CONTRACT:   2 days per week, part-time permanent contract of employment.
DAYS/HOURS OF WORK:   Working Wednesday & Thursday  per week from  9.30 a.m. - 5pm daily (inclusive of 30 mins daily break).
This position may involve evening or weekend work (as required) and flexibility is required regarding your days/hours of work to ensure operational needs are met.
  ANNUAL LEAVE: Annual Leave entitlement is 10.5 days per full leave year (Jan-Dec) for this 2 days per week, part-time role. This entitlement excludes Public Holidays.    JOB LOCATION:  Th e office base for this position is currently in Ennis, Co. Clare. This is an on-site role - remote/hybrid working does not apply. The successful candidate may, if required, be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer/Family Support Services Manager or designate; to Clarecare's other places of business/centre locations.
You will be given as much notice of any such change of place of work as is reasonably practicable.    TRAVEL FOR WORK:     You will be required to use your private car to travel for work purposes and must indemnity Clarecare on your private motor insurance policy in respect of same.
  RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION: Specific Responsibilities:         To deliver a direct, dedicated service to parents of children in the care of TUSLA, for those who wish to avail of it.
        To support parents to participate fully in  Child in Care Statutory Reviews   and Child Protection Case Conferences and work to ensure that they have been consulted on their children's care plans.
This may involve a preparation meeting before the Review or Conference, support in completing the Parent(s) Consultation Document for the Review, clarifying their needs and requests in relation to their children in care and ensuring that their views are considered when discussing and planning how their child is to be cared for.
          To liaise with the Tusla  Social Worker/allocated worker  involved in each instance, subject to parents' permission, to ensure that the parents are fully aware of the desired change needed in order that their child/children may return home.
In addition, the service will seek to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to aid parents to undertake these required changes should they choose to work with the system.
        To work within the limits of the service which acknowledges that the worker is not part of the decision-making process in relation to the child in care.          To facilitate parents in clarifying their wishes around access arrangements and communicating these with the relevant Tusla staff.
        To encourage positive communication between the parent and the Tusla social work department.
This may necessitate setting up three-way meetings with the parents and their child's social worker in an effort to resolve the difficulties that have arisen in relation to the child in care.
        To facilitate  parents support goup sessions as required and deliver presentations on the work of the advocacy service as required.          To encourage and support parent's participation in wider forums in relation to children in care, this may include research and consultation processes.
        To provide information and links to other appropriate services and organisations that may be of benefit to parents e.g.
Social Work, Family and Community Support, counselling, legal services, Aftercare and other groups of parents of children in care.
        To offer support before and after court hearings in relation to care or access proceedings.
        To work as part of a team both in the Advocacy service and as part of the wider Clarecare structure.
        To maintain clear and professional boundaries at all times when working with both clients and other professionals.
        To be flexible and adaptable in one's approach to work with clients.
        To attend relevant staff and client meetings.
        To attend and engage in professional supervision.
General Responsibilities:         To be accountable to the Family Support Services Manager or designate.
        To adhere to Clarecare's policies, procedures, protocols in relation to all work within Clarecare.
To fulfil obligations under Children First Act 2015 and all responsibilities under Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).
        To store and maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with the Family Support Services practice protocols and to comply with responsibilities under the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 & 2018 (GDPR).
        To effectively use Clarecare's Data & HR Management IT system for case management and time/attendance recording.
To complete and submit statistical information in a timely manner as required.
To work as part of the wider Clarecare structure and carry out duties as required.
To support the work of staff, volunteers, students and others involved in Clarecare.
To participate in team meetings and attend meetings as deemed necessary.
To attend and participate in case management meetings and supervision with the Family Support Services Manager and/or a designated line manager.
To attend and participate in mandatory training/continuing professional development and learning opportunities.
        Maintain and submit annual membership of the relevant accredited body as per Clarecare policies and procedures.
        To maintain professional boundaries in all work with service users.
        To perform such other duties appropriate to the position as may be assigned to you.
  Essential Requirements :           A nationally recognised CORU approved third level qualification to a minimum of Degree level in Social Care or Applied Social Studies (Level 7 QQI)  or ( https://coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/education/approved-qualifications/social-care-workers/ ) AND Have applied for CORU registration on the Social Care Workers Register (evidence of application will be necessary) OR Be registered in the Social Care Workers Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained by CORU.
          Minimum of 3 years relevant paid employment experience (post qualification) working directly with vulnerable children/young people and their families/caregivers in an advocacy role.
          Ability to demonstrate an empathetic understanding of the issues/dilemmas which may arise for parents with children in the care of TUSLA         Ability to demonstrate empathetic understanding of the issues that vulnerable children and families may encounter which lead to a child's reception into care.
        Experience of liaising with services and advocating on behalf of service users.
        Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with service users, staff and other agencies.
        Ability to foster good working relationships with internal staff/external agencies and organisations.
        Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with service users, team members and other statutory and voluntary agencies.
        Ability to always maintain professional and personal boundaries.
        Experience of facilitating groups.
        Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation including the Child Care Act 1991, Children's First Act (2015), Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017) and an in-depth knowledge of the child in care system and foster care         Proficient computer skills, including use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and the use of the internet as a research tool.
        Ability to Demonstrate flexibility and excellent organisational skills as the role requires the capacity to work in a demanding post; managing time, commitments and priorities effectively         Ability to work as part of a team and to use one's own initiative when required.
        A positive 'fit to work' medical.
        A positive Garda Vetting Disclosure through Clarecare.
       Two positive employment references from current/most recent employer(s).
      Full driving licence with insurance indemnity to Clarecare.
As part of your role duties/responsibilities, you will be required to carry clients in your own private vehicle and to indemnify Clarecare under your private motor insurance policy.
Desirable:         Experience of working with children/young people and caregivers/parents who are involved in Tusla  child welfare/child protection/child in care services.
Experience of working with parents with mental health and/or addiction issues Experience working in the area of disability and advocating on behalf of clients with other agencies   Salary & Benefits: The gross salary per annum on offer for this 2 days per week post is up to a maximum of €17,512.40 commensurate with experience.
10.5 days annual leave per annum for this 2 days per week, part-time permanent contract of employment, excluding Public Holiday entitlement pro-rated for part-time staff.
Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of probation (6 months).
Payroll deduction facility for Health Insurance cover.
Cycle to Work Scheme.
Access to Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (6 months duration).
Access to Clarecare's Wellness Programmes.
  NOTE:  This job description is provided as a guideline. Unforeseen policy changes or emerging needs of the Service, may create additional/new demands on the post, thus requiring the post holder to fulfil those demands.