Social Worker

BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND – WEST REGION
POST OF: TEMPORARY PART-TIME BASIC GRADE SOCIAL WORKER
ADULTS WEST SECTOR, GALWAY CITY
JOB REF: 110/2023

The Role of Social Worker with Adults West Sector:
Adults West Sector provide residential, day and respite services to adults with an intellectual disability and high support needs. The role of the Social Worker is to build relationships with each of the individuals and their families in each service area. They will work closely with individuals and their families, Key workers, Team Leaders, Multidisciplinary Teams and the Management Teams to ensure that the service and activities offered are person-centred and suit the needs and wishes of the individuals. The successful candidate will provide a social work service to a number of services areas within the Adult West Sector including John Paul, Cregoran and Caislean Services. 

Reporting/responsible to:
Head of Social Work, Social Work Team Leader.

Qualifications:
Candidates must have MSW or CQSW or a Letter of Accreditation issued by the National Social Work Qualifications Board (NSWQB). Candidates must be registered with CORU.

Experience:  
Candidates must have adequate training and experience to carry out satisfactorily the duties of the post. Experience of working with individuals with an intellectual disability is an advantage.

A full clean manual Driving Licence, which qualifies you to drive manual transmission vehicles on Irish Roads and use of your own car is an essential requirement. It is essential for the appointee to drive the transport that is assigned to the Service.

Skills:  
Candidates must demonstrate competency in applying theory, legislation, knowledge and skills in Social Work within the service area of intellectual disability. Candidates must also demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. It is critical that the selected candidate work effectively within a dynamic team environment using a person-centred philosophy. Candidates are expected to work within their professional code of ethics at all times.

The Health Service is undergoing ongoing transformation and therefore it is critical that a flexible attitude to changing environments and work requirements is held by the successful candidate.

Working Hours:  
This post is 42 hours per fortnight, working 3 days per week. 
Hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 – 8 as future Service needs require. Flexibility will be required in order to meet service needs. The Brothers of Charity 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.

Annual Leave:
27 days pro rata per annum.

Remuneration:
A salary scale of € 45,773 x 8 increments - € 65,079 (Max) pro rata per annum applies.
LSI € 66,341 pro rata per annum is payable after 3 years on the maximum of the scale.

Tenure: 
This position is temporary part-time and pensionable on a 6 month fixed term contract.

Probation:
A probationary period of nine months from the date of appointment applies to the post. The employment may be terminated at any time during the probationary period should the employer find that the appointee is unsuitable to continue employment. The probation period may be extended at the Employer’s discretion. 

Travel:
The person appointed must provide his/her own car and must furnish an indemnity from Insurers in favour of the employer. Travelling expenses at the appropriate rate will be paid In respect of travel necessarily performed in the discharge of duty. The base for this purpose is the John Paul Services, Ballybane, Galway. This base will be subject to change in line with service area changes.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Brothers of Charity model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible both in their approach and their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual.

Specific Conditions
• Staff should have a positive attitude towards working with persons with a learning disability and help to ensure that they lead as normal and enjoyable a life as possible.
• Staff should treat each person with a learning disability as an individual and at all times acknowledge and respect the rights and personal dignity of the person with a learning disability.
• Staff are required to establish and maintain relationships with children with disabilities and their families that are based on respect and equality and that promote their independence.

Main duties and functions of Social Worker in Adult West Services:
• To build a relationship with each individual and establish a support network/circles of support with each individual, including family (where appropriate) natural and unpaid supports and advocates.
• To be part of the John Paul transition team whose purpose is to transition persons supported to live in the community from the campus in line with the National de-congregation policy.
• Facilitate the transition of each individual to their new home in the community within the specified timeframe.
• Liaise with and develop mainstream and other agency supports for each individual.
• To be accountable to the Head of Social Work/Deputy of the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland – West Region.
• To receive referrals, assess need for social work help, meet identified need using appropriate social work methods and practical services.
• To provide ongoing counselling and support to persons supported and their families.
• To co-operate with multidisciplinary teams to plan and implement programmes of care to meet the needs of adults and families.
• To work with the relevant day, residential and respite services.
• To be responsible for the management of their workload and participate in identifying and addressing own professional development.
• To liaise and advocate with voluntary bodies, community groups and other relevant internal and external services.
• To facilitate adults and families to gain access to information and services.
• To promote independence and support the transition of adults from home where appropriate.
• To facilitate and or co-facilitate groups where relevant with other team members communication groups and social groups.
• To be up to date with current Safeguarding/Client Protection procedures and to address these issues in accordance with National guidelines and Agency policies.
• To provide Safeguarding training when required.
• Participate in research, learning events and conferences related to your role and profession.
• To maintain confidentiality at all times.
• To keep adequate records, produce reports where necessary and provide information and data for use in planning and monitoring services when required.
• To attend Team Meetings and Reviews as required.
• Be aware of current employment legislation and follow the Human Resource procedures and policies of the organisation.
• Attend mandatory training as required.
• To attend regular supervision with the Head of Social Work or appointed line Manager.
• To have a good working knowledge of current relevant legislation and Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Document emerging trends and service needs and keeping management informed of these trends.
• Ensure the service is operating in line with the Health Information and Quality Authority Standards (HIQA).
• Be aware of, and become familiar with Fire Drill procedures within the Services, fire detection, evacuation and fire fighting.
• To be conscious of Health and Safety matters in the workplace and in particular to comply with Employees' obligations as set out under Section 9 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of Social Work Department/Deputy. All duties must be carried out in person at all times.
• As the duties and responsibilities of any post in the Service are likely to change with the ongoing need of the Service Users, age, level of disability, Personal Outcome Measures, etc., staff are expected to have a high level of flexibility, and a willingness and an ability to develop new approaches to their work as the Service Users needs demand.

The role of the post holder will not be limited by reference to this Job Description. It would be expected that the role will evolve as professional, structural and service user demands change and the post holder will be expected to demonstrate flexibility skills that will facilitate this.

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