Care & Case Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION Care & Case Manager JOB TITLE: Care & Case Manager RSS JOB HOLDER: Vacant REPORTS TO: Service Manager Laois LOCATION: Tar Isteach Housing Project: RSS Service Purpose of the Post To work with the Service Manager and within the authority delegated to the post holder by the service manager; to assist in the day to day running of the service whilst remaining on the roster. The Case Worker will be responsible for: processing referrals, conducting assessments; care/support planning and implementation of care/support plans; engaging with tenants; supporting tenants with housing sustainment plans; addressing / highlighting maintenance issues, ensuring payment of rent issues. The Case Worker will play a key role in Case Management, Tenancy Sustainment and Resettlement. A collaborative approach with the Local Authority is also required. In addition to this, the post holder will act on behalf of the Service Manager and provide out of hours on call support where designated. Environment of the Post Tar Isteach Housing strive to provide supports to the elderly, disabled and homeless by providing quality and affordable accommodation, and appropriate degrees of support to maintain a tenancy and move towards social inclusion. Guidance and Authority The post-holder will report to and be supervised by the Service Manager. The service manager reports to the Regional Manager. They may act on behalf of the Service Manager for the housing service as designated during periods of leave as designated and agreed by the Regional Manager. The post-holder will liaise closely with the Service Manager and relevant stakeholders in the Local Authority, Health Service Executive and other agencies. The post holder will work within the overall framework and policies of Tar Isteach Housing. Principal Accountabilities & Key Indicators Tenant / Service user Support Assess the Holistic Needs of all clients and refer them to other support services that may be deemed appropriate to their needs To demonstrate the highest standard of social care practice, with adherence to tenancy law. Ensure to inform tenants of their individual rights and responsibilities under their tenancy agreement. To establish and maintain a positive and adherent rent culture with tenants, addressing obstacles and ensuring to support strategies that will empower tenants full adherence to rent and other areas of tenancy To ensure that the service responds effectively to the needs of the service users in areas such as referral, induction, key working/ case management and property law and maintenance. The development of life and home making skills is also seen as essential. Ensure tenants access services / community supports/ welfare allowances which they are entitled to. Quality To ensure a consistently high standard of care for the tenants and that the rights of the tenants are protected and promoted. To continuously work towards the achievement of Putting People First and the implementation of the National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services and National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare. To work to the highest standards of the Dublin Regional Homeless Regional Executive Competency Framework To ensure effective rent and maintenance programmes and standards. Communication To carry out duties in accordance with the values, ethos & mission statement of Tar Isteach Housing. To contribute to the on-going development of Standards, Polices and Procedures in Tar Isteach Housing Policy To take part in regular team-meetings with all staff to ensure effective communication sharing, discussion and review of practice, client welfare and outcomes To report to the Service Manager challenges, changes or resources needs as they arise To provide the Service Manager with the data and information required for meetings, and to attend meetings and present reports as required To manage and maintain data and information in accordance with best practice To maintain and manage an information data-base as may be required Property To monitor and ensure that all aspects of Health and Safety standards are met within the service in accordance with the Health and Safety policy To report any Health and Safety concerns or issues to the Service Manager Follow a maintenance system and ensure accommodation is maintained to a high standard. Report any maintenance issues in Local Authority Properties to the Local Authority To assist Service Users by implementing a Lifeskills programme which will support them in maintaining their accommodation to an appropriate standard Information Management To complete MIPs / KPIs and other data collection / Information Management Reports as require by the Services Manager To support and monitor the further development of appropriate information management systems To support and monitor compliance with Data Protection legislation and the Tenants Confidentiality Policy Confidentiality To ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times, in accordance with best practice, with regard to case management files To contribute to and further imbed a culture of confidentiality as appropriate Case-Management Files To contribute to and support the implementation of progressive Information Technology systems, so as to facilitate the improvement of record-keeping and case-management systems Maintain standard of all files and record keeping systems Engage with referral agents and facilitate regular support plan reviews Complete move in; case management and move out processes in line with policies and best practice in social care and housing management policy. Encourage shared care / multi-agency collaborative approaches to achieve the best outcomes for service users Monitoring Resources To advise the Service Manager of efficiencies, pressures or requirements in relation to resources Highlight and gaps / blocks / concerns at the earliest opportunity to the Services Manager Crisis Management To have the ability to deal with and resolve difficult situations when they arise in a calm and professional manner. Using proven crisis management techniques and following policy and procedures to ensure safety and relationships are maintained To complete Individual Crisis Management Plans and Risk Management Strategies with service users to support them to maintain their accommodation. Duties and Responsibilities The Case Worker will: Proactively identify and engage with tenants who require a degree of support. Assess how the Service can assist them and prioritise their support needs. Complete screening/ initial assessment, develop and implement care/support plans, and conduct regular key working appointments as appropriate to the service users needs. Carry out risk assessments and risk management plans as appropriate. Participate in multi-agency working through case management and case reviews as appropriate. Ensure that all paperwork is completed including consent forms, tenancies, utility service applications, SWA applications for furnishing, rent and deposits, enabling the service to advocate as appropriate with external agencies. Foster positive relationships with external agencies in order to maximise the supports and resources available to clients to help them address the issues and access other areas of community support that may be required. Provide community support and liaison between the tenants the Local Authority Operate as part of an on call rota Administration and Accountability The Case Worker will: To work effectively within the team setting to administer the day to day aspects of the service as outlined in Standard Operating Procedures for Property Management and Support. To maintain high quality documentation standards as per Tar Isteach Housing policy and observe professional standards in respect of confidentiality and data security. To return statistics/data within required time frames. To report any issues affecting the administration of the service to your line manager. To meet with the Service Manager on a monthly basis for supervision. To identify any training gaps and undertake ongoing training in order to maintain high professional standards. To co-operate with aspects pertaining to the operation of new technology. Research The Case Worker will: To participate in relevant research/audit projects within the service in order to improve outcomes and standards in housing services. To participate in initiatives that improves the quality of all aspects of the service. To contribute to any service improvement plans as a result of evaluation or audit. To ensure that service users opinion and feedback is sought in relation to all service development projects. To be flexible in relation to service delivery as the needs of the service dictate i.e. out of hours and provision of new service initiatives. To co-operate with staff policy and review procedures. Personal Development The Project Worker will: Engage in all training needs analysis. Maintain a commitment to further education and training. Maintain internal supervision to reflect and review practice. General The Case Worker will: Co-operate with continued new training programmes, identified as a result of international research, best practice, changing demands etc. in order to improve the quality of services provided. Co-operate with the development of new services within Tar Isteach Housing Co-operate with various methods that may be introduced to the tenant experience with service provision. To co-operate/participate in initiatives to improve the quality of services, including joint audits. To co-operate with on-going monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of services being provided To co-operate with flexible working i.e. unsociable hours when necessary To carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the relevant Line Manager. To be aware of the principles of risk management and to be individually responsible for risk management issues in your area of work to include all Health & Safety policies. To identify risk situations and take appropriate action. To work in a manner to minimise risk. Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Better, Safer Healthcare (HSE) and the National Standards for Homeless Services and comply with associated HSE protocols and SE Homeless Services for implementing and maintaining these standards. 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 him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/or experience Possess the National Diploma in Applied Social Care Studies awarded by awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Ciliochta agus Ciliochtai ireann) / DIT. Or Possess the Diploma in Social Care awarded by awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Ciliochta agus Ciliochtai ireann) (formerly HETAC) / /DIT. Or Possess the Diploma in Applied Social Studies/Social Care from DIT. Or Possess a BA (Ord) in Social Care Practice (Level 7 on the QQI framework). Or Possess Open Training College National Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Disability). Or Possess an equivalent qualification And Candidates must have a suitable standard of professional attainments. And Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office). And A full and clean driving license Experience Not less than 2 years experience in residential social care services; preferably in the homeless/supported housing sector leadership experience in social care services, including supervision of social care staff would be a distinct advantage Extensive experience in working with behaviours that may challenge and supporting care-staff in similar environments Supporting organisational change in a complex environment Recording, reporting and information management A full and clean driving license Post Specific Requirement: Ability to demonstrate A thorough knowledge of principles of Social Care / Community Work Knowledge of health and safety legislation; data protection, report writing, funding structures for homeless services In depth knowledge of Case Management, Key working & Holistic Needs Assessment, and use of PASS Database. Knowledge of the principles of Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and/ or Therapeutic Crisis Intervention would be an advantage Understanding of management principles in social care settings Knowledge and understanding of relevant Government policy on homelessness and the Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services. Skills: Excellent communication skills Report Writing Full clean Drivers Licence