Social Care Worker Job Description & Person Specification Job Title and Grade Social Care Worker with Five Rivers Fostering Services Closing Date 20th Sep 2024 Salary 38k-50k depending on experience Hours Full-time role 37.5 hours Location Munster Cork office location:Unit 19 Airport East Business Park, Rathmacullig West, Ballygarvan, Details of Service Five Rivers Ireland is the first independent fostering agency that has been in operation in Ireland since 2002.
Five Rivers has expanded over the years, and we now have established offices in both Dublin and Cork.
We also have a base in Kilkenny and have asocial workers based in Donegal, Sligo and Galway who coordinate our foster carers in the Northwest.
Five Rivers supports over 120 foster families across the Republic of Ireland.
The team is multidisciplinary, comprising of social work, social care, play therapy, counselling and educational psychology and psychotherapy.
Scope and Purpose of the post.
The Social Care Worker is a professional who is committed to the planning and delivering of quality care and other support services to individuals and groups with identified needs within Five Rivers Ireland.
The prime consideration at all times must be the interests of the children and young people.
The Social Care Worker will work with children/young people, families and/or significant others, Social Work teams, other healthcare providers and agencies, schools, training agencies and community groups.
The Social Care Worker will care for, protect, and support vulnerable or dependent young people, individually or in groups, in conjunction with the wider multidisciplinary team and other relevant agencies.
The Social Care Worker will contribute to the planning and evaluation of individualised programmes of care, which are based on needs, identified in consultation with the child, foster carer and social worker.
Reporting Relationship To the Training, Development & Therapeutic Service Manager Duties and Responsibilities Social Care Support to Children and Young People Building positive relationships with young people.
To liaise with outside agencies as appropriate.
To promote advocacy through listening to the individuals wishes and advocating on their behalf.
Be a positive role model for children / young people Provide verbal and written feedback on the progress of the child / young person as required.
To help prepare children/young people for changes in the foster care placement.
To use a range of methods when working with children the use of creative and expressive means.
Notify Child Protection concerns to relevant people.
Use a risk assessment approach.
Organise support groups for children who foster and one-to-one support.
Attend Child in Care Reviews, where applicable.
Support to Foster Carers Provide additional supports to carers in order to aid young persons development Linking with foster carer when necessary, with regard to Social Care Work completed with young person.
Direct work with foster carers in understanding issues arising for children in their care.
Support to Link Workers Develop resources for link workers for providing support to families.
Joint visits with link workers to offer extra support to families regarding placements Strong communication with Link Workers regarding work completed with young people and carers.
Help with transport to/from appointments.
Access Co-ordinate aspects of Access for children and families transport, venues, dates, Supervision.
Completion of Access Reports and attendance at Reviews, where applicable Linking with birth parents, carers and other professionals.
Therapeutic Support Transport to and from therapy Providing support before and after therapy, where applicable.
Team Work Maintains good communication with other team members in Five Rivers Ireland and with other companies and external agencies Implement directions of Senior Management working as part of the team in order to fulfil the goals of the team.
To inform Supervisor of all updated and relevant information pertaining to the child and foster family.
Support other team members at all times.
Training & Professional Development Participate in regular professional supervision Devise and deliver training programmes for staff and carers re: child development Attendance at various training workshops throughout the year.
Provide guidance and education for work experience students Undertake ongoing professional training and development Engage in reflective and evidence based practice Keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge Health & Safety Adhere to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (1989) policies and procedures and other relevant legislation Report any immediate concerns / incidents of questionable practice to the Designated Manager.
Be familiar with Five Rivers Ireland policies and procedures and ensure that these are strictly adhered to Be familiar with emergency procedures (including Fire Safety) and know who to contact in an emergency Finance: Accurate recording of Monthly Expenses Financial systems in place are adhered to and records are maintained efficiently.
The post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.
Skills Competencies and or knowledge Fostering good relationships with children, parents, carers and staff and behave in a pleasant and professional manner.
To maintain confidentiality regarding Five Rivers Ireland and the children/young people and staff within it.
Able to work on their own initiative with consistent self-motivation.
Able to communicate clearly and appropriately, both verbally and in writing.
Able to present material professionally both written and orally, inside and outside the agency.
Work with individuals in a way that promotes their equality, dignity, diversity and rights.
Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance Able to make objective and supported professional assessments of child / young person A good knowledge of the effect of the care system on children/young people.
A good knowledge and experience of working with young people.
A good knowledge and experience of working in groups.
A good knowledge of Foster Care Practice, including legal knowledge.
A good understanding of Equal Opportunities within service provision.
A good knowledge of Child Care Act 1991, Foster Care Regulations 2003, Children First Guidelines 1999 and Five Rivers Policy and Procedures Eligibility Criteria, Qualifications, Experience Bachelor's / Masters (Level 7 Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications) Equivalent social care qualification A suitable standard of professional attainments An understanding of and empathy for the work required is necessary.
A full clean drivers license is essential Campaign Specific Selection Process Shortlisting / Interview Shortlisting may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application.
The criteria for short listing 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 shortlisting stage will be called forward to interview.