Location: Leinster, travel required Purpose of post: To provide quality Assessments of potential foster carers, and complete assessments within a predetermined timeframe while adhering to the National Fostering standards Main duties: 1. To maintain high standards of professional practice.
2. Ensuring that all procedural requirements with respect to reviewing, consultation and recording are adhered to.
3. To undertake appropriate training and to maintain a knowledge of changes to company procedure, legislation, and regulations and of developments in professional practice.
4. To provide quality assessments of prospective foster carers.
5. To ensure that the service provided is compliant with regulations and national standards, as well as company policies and procedures.
6. To ensure accurate, contemporaneous recording throughout the assessment process.
7. To complete initial screening visits to foster care applicants, as agreed.
8. To complete fostering assessments within the national fostering standards.
9. To furnish good quality assessment reports for presentation to foster care committees.
10. To travel to and from foster carer homes to undertake assessments.
11. Attendance at foster care committees to present assessment reports.
12. To conduct business in a manner that upholds a positive image of Orchard Fostering.
13. To work in close co-operation with the referrals manager and coordinator to ensure all referrals are dealt with through the referral process, in line with potential carers approval and within the regulations and standards for foster care.
14. All employees are required to ensure compliance with the company's guidance and policy on safeguarding and are required to attend and/or or complete child protection training (Children's First).
15. To ensure the National Standards for Fostering and the Fostering Regulations are adhered to at all times.
16. All post holders are expected to maintain professional standards of practice and to work in accordance with the company vision, values, procedures, and managerial guidance.
17. To ensure the implementation of escalation policies for Assessments .
18. To keep up to date with legislative changes and good practice to ensure our service remains at the cutting edge of fostering services.
19. To ensure that all risks identified are recorded and reported to all relevant people and recorded on our risk spreadsheet and on the management drive.
20. To actively participate in supporting the principles and practice of equal opportunities issues in accordance with the company policies and to work positively towards anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice.
21. To work within the provisions of the Data Protection Act, observing strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of work undertaken.
22. To maintain CORU registration 23. To undertake any other such duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your level of responsibility within the company.
24. Participation in the on-call rota.
25. To carry a caseload as is required and identified.
26. Travel to meetings etc is required therefore the post holder must hold a full driving licence.
Key Criteria Must have a professional qualification in social work i.e.
CQSW, Masters in Social Work or equivalent qualification validated in the Republic of Ireland.
Must be registered with CORU.
Must have valid Garda Clearance.
Must have valid Overseas Clearance if applicant lived abroad for more than 6 months.
Must have at least 2 years' experience, previous experience in the foster care field is desirable but not mandatory.
Must have a clean driver's license and use of a car.