General Information

Name of the Project: Barnardos Waterford Family Support Service,

Address/Location: 128 Clonard Park, Ballybeg & Presentation Building, Mitchel Street,Dungarvan, County Waterford

What does our Project do?

Barnardos Waterford Family Support Project is based in Ballybeg and Dungarvan and we work with families in Waterford City and County. Barnardos offers information, help and support to children, young people and families. Our focus is on supporting and promoting children’s development and helping parents with their parenting. Our referrals come from the social work department and from self-referrals. We also accept referrals from other non-Tusla services such as schools, public health nurse, and the HSE. All our work with children and families is based on an assessment of need and outcomes focussed.

What will the Project Worker do?

The project worker will work as part of small team and will assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project and will key work individual children/young people/carers/families in order to meet their needs and to advocate on their behalf.

The project worker will liaise with families and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies, and attend and contribute to reviews and case conferences, as required.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Conduct an assessment of need for all allocated families
• Work with children/young people/carers/families in a variety of ways, including group work, individual work and family work, centre based and home based work
• Implement appropriate interventions to meet the needs of the child
• Record and file interventions with the family
• Be vigilant and report any child protection concerns that may arise

Who do we work with?

Barnardos works in partnership with children, families, TUSLA and other relevant services to provide the necessary opportunities for children to reach their potential.

This position is being generously funded by the RTE Toy Show Appeal in conjunction with The Community Foundation for Ireland.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To develop and implement programmes that respond to the needs of children and families referred to the service working in partnership with families and other organisational, community and voluntary bodies.

Core Job Requirements

• To assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project.
• To plan, implement and review programmes for children/young people/carers/families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs.
• To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children. To record concerns promptly and accurately. To consult with the Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with Barnardos Child Protection policy.
• To work with children/young people/carers/families in a variety of ways, including group work, individual work and family work, centre based and outreach work.
• To key work individual children/young people/carers/families in order to meet their needs and to advocate on their behalf.
• To liaise effectively with families and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies and to attend and contribute to reviews and case conferences as required.
• To work in partnership with other Barnardos services to best meet the needs of children and families by collaborating resources with planned interventions targeting groups/families of shared need.
• To keep regular records in relation to all aspects of work and prepare reports as required.
• To gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role.
• To identify and document to the line manager any unmet needs of children/young people/carers/families within the service, and to participate in the advocacy work of the agency.

Requirements of all Barnardos staff

• Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations.
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager.
• To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole.
• To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner.
• To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
• Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
• Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health and Safety Officer.
• To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies.
• To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate.
• To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time.
• To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.
  

  Note: this Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work

Person Specification

Personal attributes

• Commitment to the delivery of quality services to children, young people, families and carers.
• Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate.
• Ability to work under pressure, make decisions in consultation with the line manager when appropriate.
• To be committed to adhering to best practice in the work and be innovative and open to change.
• Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post.
• Ability to form objective relationships with children, young people, families/carers, colleagues and other agencies.

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ post qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families.
• Experience of working in partnership with families and carers.
• Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.

Qualifications

A recognised third level practice qualification (minimum Level 7 on the QQI, course content should include relevant student placements) in one of the following:

• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Social Care
• Education
• Social Work
• Youth Work
• Or related discipline (Nursing, Psychology, Early Years Education).

Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car essential.

The post-holder is initially assigned to work in Waterford between Dungarvan and Ballybeg projects, but may be required in the future to work in other locations in the Waterford area in line with organisational needs.