The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services. The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget in excess of €800m and delivers its services through circa 5,000 people in 350 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Family Support
• Alternative Care
• Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

The Tusla Garda Vetting Unit is responsible for providing Vetting Services/facilitating e-Vetting for all relevant activities within Tusla. The Unit will act as a main point of contact between Tusla - Child and Family Agency and the Garda National Vetting Bureau and provide a comprehensive service in relation to all Garda Vetting activities within the agency in line with the relevant legislation. Tusla Garda Vetting Unit is expanding to facilitate all Operational and Early Years vetting as required

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the establishment of these new services.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the team (Authorised Signatories/Liaison Persons) assigned. Provide advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders of the process.
• Work closely with the appointed ‘Appropriate Persons’ and service providers to ensure the Tusla Garda Vetting Unit meets the needs of the organisation regarding vetting requirements, processes and relative legislation.
• Ensure high standards of administration are achieved. Ensure the process and systems comply with the Data Protection Act 1988 - 2018, Garda Vetting legislation 2012 to 2016 and relevant law, policy, procedures and guidelines that govern the Child and Family Services.
• Work closely with management and the team to deliver on the relevant business plans for Tusla – Child and Family Agency
• Adhere to legislation impacting on the vetting process and ensure that working practices meet legislative needs
• Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and plan for appropriate action
• Continually monitor workflow requirements within the team and reassign staff as required
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and customers
• Support the development and implementation of robust reporting/management information systems to facilitate accurate and up to date reporting
• Promote good working practice and uniformity of standards
• Proactively engage in the development of IT systems as they apply to service / administration improvements / efficiencies
• Take a lead role on the implementation other projects related to promoting the Tulsa Brand and Tusla – Child and Family Agency as an employer of choice

Staff Management

• Effectively manage assigned members of the Tusla Garda Vetting Team, promote good team working and a culture that values diversity
• Actively participate in the recruitment, retention and development of staff including continuous assessment. Promote a culture within the team of continuous professional development to develop professional knowledge
• Empowers individuals within the team to take responsibility for their own performance
• Identify in the training and development requirements for the team.
• Maintain staff records in line with best practise

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, 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 and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

• Be currently in employment with Tusla – Child and Family Agency, the HSE or within other statutory health agencies, or a body which provides services on behalf of the HSE under Section 38 or 39 of the Health Act 2004 or within a body that provides services on behalf of Tusla under Section 56 or Section 59 of the Child and Family Act 2013.
• Have at least two years’ experience in a designated office within the Services
• Have at least two years’ experience of working within a Vetting Setting and have a solid working knowledge of Vetting practices with an understanding of relevant legislation, policies and procedures
• Demonstrated skills in employee supervision and ability to lead change and innovation
• Have sufficient administrative capacity and experience to discharge the outlined requirements of this role

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.