Social Work Team Leader

Job title:

Social Work Team Leader

Company:

Orchard Fostering

Job description

Job description: OF Team Leader Support TeamReports to: OF Principal Social WorkerLocation: Leinster and Wider Areas in the South of IrelandPurpose of Post:

• To take responsibility for the overall management and leadership of Orchard Fostering support team, ensuring the provision of safe, caring foster placements that offer safe child centred care to a wide range of children and young people.
• To provide support, formal supervision and direction to the fostering support team social workers and ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service to carers and children placed within the service.
• To ensure that the service is compliant with regulations and national standards as well as company policy and procedures.
• To ensure that National Children First Guidelines are implemented throughout the service to ensure the protection of children.
• To motivate and lead the support social work team along with the support senior practitioner to continually improve and develop the service provided, ensuring the promotion and maintenance of excellent relationships with TUSLA and HIQA.

Main duties:1. To ensure the principal social worker is fully informed of ongoing issues and significant events.2. To ensure the National Standards for Fostering and the Fostering Regulations are adhered to at all times. To work beyond the national standards to offer the best quality foster placements.3. To provide support to the Principal Social Worker (PSW) by taking on additional responsibilities and delegated tasks as agreed.4. To support and assist the PSW in the submission of tenders and contribute to bids for the provision of a fostering service to TUSLA.5. To ensure fair and equitable allocation of foster families to link social workers is planned and monitored in accordance with company policy and procedure.6. To proof read reports (foster care reviews and long-term matches) and attend committee with/in support of presenting social workers and/or with the support senior practitioner.7. To audit and monitor the quality of service to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people by meeting appropriate managers in TUSLA, ensuring all opportunities for collaborative work for the best outcomes for the children placed are discussed with the PSW and Directors.8. To work in collaboration with the Finance director to continually review and agree upon additional payments to foster carers.9. To be responsible for the management and leadership of the support senior practitioner, support link social workers and the support administrator. This includes the provision of monthly supervision, annual appraisal and professional development in line with company policies.10. To conduct regular audits of case files and oversee required actions within prescribed time scales in conjunction with the QA manager.11. To monitor performance of individual team members and take action when necessary to improve performance.12. To ensure carers attend mandatory training and a minimum of two training sessions per year.13. To work in close co-operation with the referrals manager and coordinator to ensure all referral are dealt with through the referral process, in line with carers approval and within the regulations and standards for foster carer.14. To ensure the implementation of escalation policies for training and observation reports.15. To ensure any welfare concern/allegation against foster carers are investigated under the national policy and within the appropriate timeframes.16. Through supervision ensure that all staff have an individual annual training plan that meets the minimum requirements of their CORU registration.17. To build and maintain excellent working relationships with relevant managers in TUSLA for whom we provide a service and identify any problem areas and opportunities for development.18. To promote the Company as the Fostering Service of choice.19. To always work within agreed Policies and Procedures, contributing to their review and giving feedback on their suitability in practice in conjunction with the QA manager.20. To be an effective and enthusiastic member of the Management Team and contribute to the development of the service.21. To attend and/or facilitate all required meetings such as management meetings, business meetings, referral and support team meetings.22. To contribute to the PSW’s monthly report, giving an overview of current issues surrounding area of responsibility.23. To chair team meetings, ensuring accurate and timely minutes are produced with a detailed action plan when required.24. To work with the PSW and QA manager to ensure that all inspections action plans are completed within the required time scales.25. To keep up to date with legislative changes and good practice to ensure our service remains at the cutting edge of fostering services.26. To be responsible for the health and safety management of the office in which you and your staff are based, ensuring compliance with the organisation’s health and safety policy and legislative requirements.27. 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.28. To work within the provisions of the Data Protection Act, observing strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of work undertaken.29. 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.30. To undertake any other such duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your level of responsibility within the company.31. 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).32. Participation in the back up on call management rota.33. 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 3 years’ social work 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.IND

Expected salary

Location

Dublin

Job date

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 23:12:10 GMT

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