Support Worker, South Tipperary Services

BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND - SOUTH EAST REGION
SOUTH TIPPERARY SERVICES Qualifications and Particulars of Employment
Permanent Part Time (70 hours per fortnight) Support Workers (Care Assistant Grade), South Tipperary Services (Various Locations)
1.    These are permanent part time posts working 70 hours per fortnight. Compulsory Retirement age is 70.

2.    Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidates must:

•    Have a third level qualification relevant to the provision of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or at a minimum a QQI Level 5 major award.
Or 

•    One year completed of an ongoing relevant third level qualification relevant to the provision of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

•    Relevant experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities/autism 

•    Have excellent communication skills.

•    Have the ability to listen and respond to the needs of people who use services. 

•    Have the ability to be innovative and creative and work on one's own initiative.

•    Be computer literate.

•    Possess a full clean manual "category B" Irish driving licence.
    Experience of working as a member of a team is essential.

3.    Remuneration    
Salary Scale: (pro rata) 
€32,199; €33,329; €34,866; €35,376; €36,202; €37,808; €39,533; €40,134; €41,632; €42,752; €43,665; €44,690; €45,484 LSI
All new entrants to the Public Service will start at the first point of this scale

* Successful candidates are required to submit all documentary evidence outlining any relevant experience within 3 months of your starting date.  Failure to produce this will mean that you only receive any incremental credit (if applicable) from the date of submission of documents.

4.    The normal working fortnight will be 70 hours however, flexible hours may be required across various locations in our South Tipperary day services. Starting and finishing times will be notified to, and agreed with, the appointee from time to time by the Team Leader/Services Manager. The Brothers of Charity Services model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees' to be flexible in their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual. 

5.    Health
The successful candidate must be free from any condition, which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the appointment, and must be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.  To satisfy this qualification, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination by the Occupational Health Nurse/Physician.  

6.    Duties
The general duties of the appointment are as described in the attached Job Description.

7.    A short list of candidates to attend before the Selection Board will be prepared by the selection Board from an examination of statements of qualifications furnished by the candidates.

8.    The Team Leader/Services Manager will notify the successful candidate of the mandatory/compulsory courses/training which employees are obliged to attend.  Mandatory training, for example, manual handling, health and safety courses etc., form part of the conditions of employment along with the Organisation's statutory obligation.  

9.    Note re Canvassing
Any attempt by candidates themselves or by any person(s) acting at their instigation directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate's favour any member of the staff of Brothers of Charity Services South East or person nominated to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidates for the position they are seeking.
TITLE: PERMAMENT PART TIME SUPPORT WORKERS (CARE ASSISTANT GRADE), 70 HOURS PER FORTNIGHT, SOUTH TIPPERARY SERVICES (VARIOUS LOCATIONS)

Reports to: Relevant Team Leader, South Tipperary Services or such other authorised person as the Employing Authority may designate.
        
Accountable to: Relevant Service Manager

The Congregation of the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is a religious voluntary organisation, founded in 1807 by Canon Peter Triest, to provide a Christian response to a variety of needs in society.  

ETHOS
The core values of our services have always been the dignity and humanity of each person.  How these are expressed has evolved over time with our greater understanding of the rights of all people with a disability, with the changing hopes and expectations of the individuals and families with whom we work, and with the growing expertise of all associated with our services.

DUTIES
The post holder will be required to take an active part in ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Service reflect the ethos and vision of the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland – South East Region and that all co-workers are meeting the needs of the individuals who are supported by the services therein.  

The person appointed should have the ability to participate proactively as a member of a team and contribute positively to the ongoing development of effective teamwork.

The person appointed will work as a member of the team in our day services - various locations across our South Tipperary Services facilitating the choices of and delivering supports to individuals who are supported by the services.  Activities such as independent living skills, community integration, personal development, occupational and leisure activities will be utilised within the context of a person centred approach to service provision.

Subject to the agreed policies and procedures of the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland - South East Region, the person appointed shall: - 
Advocacy & Rights
1    uphold and respect the human, legal and constitutional rights of individuals supported by the service and their family, recognising their individuality and equality, and empowering them to grow, thereby achieving the highest possible level of personal autonomy;
2    facilitate, encourage and develop individuals supported by the service and decision making skills; 
3    enable individuals supported by the service to pursue and maintain their individual hobbies and interests;
4    foster, encourage and develop the self-help and social skills of individuals supported by the services so as to achieve the greatest degree of autonomy possible; 
5    facilitate individuals supported by the services to actively participate and integrate into the community, through the use of generic community facilities;
6    facilitate, encourage and develop individuals supported by the service and family's self-advocacy skills and opportunities for involvement in advocacy;

Person Centred Support for Learning
7    In the context of the individual and group services, support individuals and their families with aspects of individual and group programmes including:
    Cognitive development
    Communication
    Gross and Fine motor skills
    Leisure and Sporting activities
    Physiotherapy 
    Personal Care,
    Behaviour support programmes
    Social integration, including use of local community facilities
    Independent Living Skills.
    Literacy and Numeracy programmes as appropriate
    Basic skills training
    Massage and Relaxation therapy
8    assist with fostering, encouraging and developing individuals supported by the services self-care skills, particularly in relation to personal hygiene, health matters and care for their personal appearance; 
9    act as a Key Worker for specific individuals supported by the service.
10    achieve competency in driving the centre transport and participate in transport duties as required. This may necessitate flexible starting and finishing times;
11    as a full team member to accept delegated responsibility for the physical and emotional wellbeing as well as the personal hygiene individuals supported by the service
12    participate and assist with the organisation of centre outings;
13    Administer medication as prescribed and in keeping with the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland - South East Region medication procedure.

Management and Leadership:
14    Be responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of individuals supported by the services.
15    Be responsible for the safe use and care of equipment and report faulty equipment etc., as it arises.
16    Be familiar with and ensure that policies, procedures and codes of practice of the Services are adhered to.
17    Ensure that all records in relation to individuals supported by the services are up to date, correctly filed and managed as per the service's records management system.
18    Report all accident/incidents and take appropriate action.
19    Utilise efficiently the transport services available to the service area and advise the appropriate staff on transport needs.
20    In accordance with Health Act 2007 and HIQA Regulations and Standards, ensure the legislation requirements are adhered to by continuous monitoring, inspection and audit of the designated centres.
        
Money and Budgets
21    Ensure that all petty cash and the personal monies of the individuals supported by the services are properly accounted for.
22    Be responsible for maintaining a petty cash float, keeping relevant records and ensuring that accounts are checked and balanced. 
23    Ensure that goods and services received are prudently used for purposes intended.
24    Assist the Team Leader in the preparation and monitoring of budgets.
25    be responsible for requisitioning consumable and durable goods when duly authorised and ensuring that due economy is exercised both in the making of such requisitions and in their subsequent use, and that they are fully accounted for;

Communication
26    Attend and participate fully in regular staff meetings where all aspects of the service area are discussed with a view to maintaining high standards.  
27    Promote open communication among staff and good levels of staff morale.
28    Co-operate and develop and maintain effective working relationships with:

•    Individuals  supported by the services and their families

•    All other staff involved in the provision of both residential and day services

•    Families, visitors, volunteers and other such personnel who visit 
29    Operate effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in promoting the best interests of the individuals in the service area. 
30    Encourage families to develop their involvement in the ongoing development of the person.
31    Report all matters of concern immediately to the Team Leader/Services Manager.
32    Organise, attend and participate fully in meetings as required Person Centred Planning meetings, Service Area reviews, team meetings.  Record meetings in line with agreed procedures.
33    Actively participate in developing and maintaining good relationships with local residents and community organisations.
34    Develop and participate fully with the implementation of a team based performance management approach to achieving the goals of the Services' Strategic plan.

Training and Development
35    Be informed of current developments in services for people with intellectual disabilities Person Centred Planning, Personal Outcome Measures, Human Rights and Citizenship, "New Directions- Review of day services and implementation Plan 2012-2016", Supported Self Directed Living.
36    Attend and contribute appropriately at lectures, courses and meetings as required and share information and knowledge gained with colleagues.
37    Be responsible for identifying personal training and development needs and communicating them to the Team Leader/Services Manager.
38    Attend mandatory training courses and achieve required standard.

Health and Safety
39    Be conscious of health and safety matters in the work place and in particular to comply with employees' obligations as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and to ensure that the procedures set out in the Safety Statement are implemented at all times.
40    Carry out regular safety audits and fire drills.
41    Be conversant with existing fire regulations and emergency procedures and participate in the implementation of same.  Make people who use our services aware, in so far as possible, of Fire Drill procedures.
42    Ensure equipment is properly operated and maintained.
43    Report accidents/irregularities or other matters of safety concern to the Team Leader or in her/his absence to the Services Manager or such person as the Employing Authority may designate.
44    Identify risk, assess and document appropriately. 

Flexibility
Employees are expected to have a high level of flexibility and a willingness and ability to develop new approaches to their work. Duties and responsibilities of any post in the Services are likely to change with the ongoing needs and developments of the Services. Employees will therefore be required to carry out such other duties appropriate to their employment as may be assigned to him/her from time to time.  

Confidentiality
In the course of the employment the post holder may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of the children and their families who use services and/or staff, or other health service business.  Such records and information are strictly confidential and unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning people who use services, staff, or other health service business be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.  In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

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