Social Worker, Senior Medical (Mental Health)

Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade

Social Worker, Senior Medical (Mental Health)

Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services

(Grade Code 3019)

Campaign Reference

CHW084-SWSMMH-2022

Closing Date

Friday 07th October 2022 at 12 noon

Proposed Interview Date (s)

As soon as possible after closing date.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post

There is currently three whole-time vacant posts available in the following areas:

1. Roscommon Primary Care Centre, Golf Links Road, Roscommon (Permanent)

2. Sherwood House, Sherwood Avenue, Galway city (Specified Purpose)

3. La Nua Day Hospital, Ballybane, Galway City (Specified Purpose)

A panel may be created for Social Worker, Senior Medical (Mental Health), Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

Mary G. Killion

Principal Social Worker

Email: Maryg.Killion@hse.ie

Mobile. 087 2239884

Details of Service

Adult Mental Health Services in the Galway/Roscommon Area provide secondary care to Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Illnesses, It includes General Adult Community Mental Health teams providing a service for Adults from over 18. It also includes Specialist Teams:

Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Teams for Adults over 18;

Mental Health and Homeless Team for Adults over 18;

Rehabilitation and Recovery Teams for Adults over 18; and

Psychiatry of Later Teams for over 65s;

There are two Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Units in the Galway/Roscommon area where Service Users under the care of the aforementioned Teams can be admitted to for specialist treatment and care.

All mental health services are informed by a person-centred integrated recovery approach.

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy - A Vision for Change (2006), is a progressive, evidence-based document, that proposed a new model of service delivery, which would be patient-centred, flexible, and community based. It describes a framework for building and fostering positive mental health across the entire community for provided accessible, community-based, specialist services for people with mental illness. Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020) is the current roadmap, charting the way forward for the Mental Health Service. It incorporates new recommendations as appropriate to enhance national policy while simultaneously aligning with the ten-year vision for reform and transformation of Ireland’s health and social care services encapsulated in the Report of the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare, Sláintecare report.

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will report to the Principal Social Worker (PSW) and will have a professional reporting relationship for clinical supervision and professional development to the Principal Social Worker. All clinical issues are also reported to the Clinical lead on the MDT team.

Purpose of the Post

The Social Worker/ Senior will provide a recovery orientated social work service to Adult Mental Health service users and their Family Members/Supporters within an assigned area. They will be part of a multidisciplinary team delivering a co-ordinated approach to client care. The Senior Social Worker brings a systemic perspective to Core Assessments within the Team; emphasising the importance of Family Focussed Practice and advocating and liaising with other agencies in relation to Complex Legal issues, Accomodation, Longterm Care, and Welfare issues.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Worker, Senior Medical will:

Professional / Clinical

• Be responsible for the management of the day-to-day provision of social work services under the direction of the Principal Social Worker.

• Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload as required / directed by the Principal Social Worker -.in particular, cases that require a high level of experience and expertise

• Ensure that any risks to service user safety are identified and managed appropriately in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team

• Provide an initial assessment service as a member of the multi-disciplinary team and to develop referral procedures and sytems to ensure effective management of your caseload

• Undertake psycho-social assessments of service user’s needs, to inform the team’s treatment and care plan

• Work within a key worker / case worker system, providing a co-ordinating role for case management where appropriate.

• Engage in reflective practice as part of individual clinical supervision, line management and peer supervision.

• Provide a comprehensive recovery oriented service for service users. Offer initial and holistic social work assessment and intervention to individuals, families and groups.

• Provide supportive counselling, emotional support, advocacy, and information to service users and their families.

• Promote independence, self-reliance, self-determination and empowerment with service users in their environment, with families and local services

• Make it possible for service users to advocate for their own needs, or where appropriate advocate on behalf of service users.

• Identify service users individual and collective needs in partnership with them and co-create early interventions and/or social action strategies to meet those needs.

• Adopt a holistic approach aimed at enhancing the quality of life, health and social well-being of all persons within the designated service area..

• Plan, deliver and engage in systemic interventions as appropriate with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities.

• Deliver a social work service in collaboration with other disciplines / agencies as required, in appropriate settings reflecting the needs of the service user

• Provide consultation and support to other team members in relation to the management of child protection and adult safeguarding concerns.

• Monitor and evaluate outcomes of person centred care plans for individual service users.

• Actively participate as a member of the Social Work department in terms of developing mental health social work practice, and change initiatives, as required.

• Participate and take leadership in prevention and health promotion activities.

• Actively participate as a member of the mental health team in team building and change initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with Mental Health Commission (MHC), HSE and HIQA policies, procedures, protocols, & guidelines as they apply to the adult mental health service.

• Participate in working groups / committees as requested by the Principal Social Worker.

• Attend case conferences, meetings and other relevant fora as required.

• Attend court, tribunals etc as required.

• Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the employer.

• Operate within the scope of practice – seek advice and assistance from his/her manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.

• Incorporate Social Work values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.

• Implement models of best practice / evidence based practice.

• Participate in service development, research, evaluation as directed by line manager.

• Take direction from his / her line manager.

• Take an active role in and attend clinical supervision on a regular basis and engage in reflective practice and ongoing continuous professional development., in accordance with CORU requirements and the local/ national supervision policy.

• Provide an appropriate level of supervision for staff under the direction and guidance of the Principal Social Worker that is consistent with good practice and the local/ national supervision policy.

• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.

• Keep your line manager fully informed and up-to-date on all significant matters.

Education & Training

• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.

• Engage in career and professional development planning in collaboration with the Principal Social Worker.

• Keep up to date with advances in Social Work research, and ongoing review and evaluation of literature relevant to the assigned area.

• Keep abreast of developments in national policies, strategies and international best practice.

• Keep up to date with organisational changes and developments within the HSE and Irish Health and Social Services.

• Act as a resource by participating in the induction, education and training of Social Work colleagues, other health professionals and service user groups as required

• Provide direct supervision to Social Work students on placement within mental health services and liaise with the relevant educational body as required.

• Support professionally qualified social work staff to supervise student social work placement

• Support and train other staff in accordance with professional standards as appropriate.

• Foster an understanding of the role and contribution of social work by providing professional consultation and education to other members of the service.

• Actively engage in staff development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, mentoring, training and in-service needs of social workers.

Health & Safety

The Social Worker, Senior Medical will:

• 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 Mental Health Commission (MHC) and the Judgement Support Framework. Have working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 2001 and other relevant policies including Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy; Asssited Decision Making Policy and Open Disclosure Policy.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards as they apply to the role for example, standards for healthcare, national standards for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections, hygiene standards etc and comply with associated HSE 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.

• As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

Management

The Social Worker, Senior Medical will:

• Contribute to the effective functioning of the MDT team and service through chairing/leading relevant meetings, taking responsibilities within the clinical service as appropriate.

• Provide leadership and motivation in order to optimise service delivery by developing teams and promoting change management.

• Contribute to the service planning process by recognising and replicating successful interventions and by identifying unmet needs and service requirements into the future

• Provide supervision for staff within the social work department (as delegated by the Principal Social Worker), consistent with best practice and the local/ national supervision policy and CORU requirements.

• Ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures and guidelines.

• Contribute to a range of reports including annual reports, performance indicators etc. as requested by the Principal Social Worker.

• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.

• Provide leadership and motivation in order to optimise service delivery by contributing to team development and promoting change management.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy, information sharing protocols, audit systems and referral and integrated care pathways. .

• Ensure a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local policies, guidelines, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, Mental Health Act 2001 and other relevant legislation.

• Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality in line with best practice and the Data Protection Act.

• Deputise for the Principal Social Worker as agreed when required.

Staff will work in accordance with the principles and values of recovery as described in the National Framework for Recovery for Irish Mental Health Services 2018-2020.

The above Job Specification 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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must by the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post possess:

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

(i)

Must be registered in the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU.

And

(ii)

Maintain live annual registration on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU.

And

(iii)

Have 3 years relevant post qualification experience.

And

(iv)

Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, professional and managerial ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

2. Health

Candidates 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.

3. Character

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

Post Specific Requirements

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience of working with adults presenting with serious mental illnesses

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience working with families coping with mental illness and providing advice and support in relation to complex welfare and legal issues

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to appropriate transport is a necessary requirement of this post.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrate sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role safely and effectively within the legal, ethical and practice boundaries of the profession.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the various theoretical models, approaches and interventions that apply in current practice.

• Demonstrates a commitment to promoting and applying evidence based practice and research.

• Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the service user as expert through experience including promotion and involvement of the service user in care planning, decision-making and service development

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of risk assessment.

• Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively and show understanding of the value of reflective practice

• Demonstrate a willingness to engage with ICT and develop ICT skills relevant to the role.

Planning and Managing Resources

• Demonstrates the ability to effectively plan activities and co-ordinate resources to ensure value for money and maximum benefit for the organisation.

• Demonstrates the ability to manage self and others in a busy working environment including the ability to prioritise and effectively handle multiple tasks.

• Takes responsibility for the achievement of delivery targets by regularly monitoring, recording and reporting performance statistics / information.

• Demonstrates innovation in aiming to work within resource limitations to sustain and enhance the service while promoting a model of person-centred care.

Managing & Developing (Self & Others)

• Actively promotes multi / interdisciplinary team working.

• Demonstrates effective leadership, providing clear direction for staff in relation to the goals of their function and how they fit in with the broader organisational strategy.

• Demonstrate the ability to articulate the social work perspective within the multidisciplinary team

• Motivates and empowers staff by appropriately delegating responsibility and authority.

Commitment to providing a Quality Service

• Accepts accountability for standards of performance in area of responsibility.

• Monitors and reviews the work of the team to ensure its quality and accuracy.

• Demonstrates initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement.

• Motivates self and others in facilitating change and improving service delivery.

• Promotes the service user as expert through experience by involving service users in care planning, decision-making and service development.

Evaluating Information and Judging Situations

• Formulates, articulates and demonstrates sound clinical reasoning / synthesises and analyses information available

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of maintaining accurate clinical records and creating quality clinical reports

• Regularly quantifies and evaluates activities against service plans and takes timely action to correct potential difficulties.

• Confidently explains the rationale behind decisions when faced with opposition or competing demands.

• Establishes integrity by ensuring that the professional, ethical and safety factors are fully considered in decisions into which they have input.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

• Displays effective communication skills (verbal & written).

• Maintains a professional relationship in all communications, treating others with dignity and respect

• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with others to understand and establish expectations and desired outcomes.

• Demonstrates sensitivity, diplomacy and tact when dealing with others, is patient and tolerant when dealing with conflict situations.

• Demonstrates strong negotiation skills, remains firm but flexible when putting forward a point of view.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting 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 ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.

This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Social Worker, Senior Medical (Mental Health)

Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

There is currently three whole-time vacant posts available in the following areas:

1. Roscommon Primary Care Centre, Golf Links Road, Roscommon (Permanent)

2. Sherwood House, Sherwood Avenue, Galway city (Specified Purpose)

3. La Nua Day Hospital, Ballybane, Galway City (Specified Purpose)

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created for Social Worker, Senior Medical (Mental Health), Galway Roscommon Mental Health Services from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at ‘expression of interest’ stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post (as at 01/02/22) is:

€61,331, €63,080, €64,830, €66,579, €68,327, €70,076, €70,745

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is 35 hours per week.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

• Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998

As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Mandated Person Children First Act 2015

As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation:

• To report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA.

• To assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

You will remain a mandated person for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing a SSSS for the department/service[1], as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

• Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained, and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

• Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

• Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

• Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

• Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

• Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

[1] A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/safetywellbeing/about%20us/

[2]See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy