Community Connector – Outreach - Adult Day Services

Full-time, Permanent Contract of Employment

FESTINA LENTE MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Festina Lente is to provide a range of integrated training, occupational, learning and employment opportunities to people with disabilities. These services are provided through equestrianism, horticulture and community-based activities with an emphasis on choice, personal development and progression. The services are provided through the following:

• Equestrian Training Programme
• Transition Training Programme
• Festina Lente Riding School
• Equine Assisted Learning
• Equine Facilitated Education Programme
• Therapeutic Riding Service
• Saol Anois Day Service
• Festina Lente Gardens

Job Title: Community Connector – Saol Anois Day Services
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent Contract of Employment
Location: Bray, Co Wicklow
Reporting to: Training & Day Services Manager
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer / Deputy Chief Executive

JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. To support Service Members in accessing Education, Employment and Work Experience Opportunities
2. To support Service Members to have meaningful social roles in their communities with an emphasis on Supported Employment
3. To work in conjunction with the Training and Day Services Manager and team members to design, implement and review Support Plans for Members.
4. To facilitate person centred planning in conjunction with members and coordinate and evaluate the achievement of personal goals
5. To maintain and update records for Service Members in line with the Festina Lente Policy on Record Keeping
6. To support Members to build up links in their communities
7. To implement and review individual person centred plans in line with New Directions Policy
8. To act as an advocate and keyworker for Service Members
9. To deliver relevant programmes/classes with an emphasis on community inclusion
10. To liaise with Members family and /or support persons
11. To liaise with other organisations/professionals as required
12. To comply with the Health & Safety requirements of the organisation
13. To attend residential trips away with Members
14. Attend staff meetings and training as required
15. To build and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues & Members
16. This job description is not exhaustive and other duties may be assigned from time to time in accordance with the needs of the service.
17. This job description may be revised to take account of changing circumstances or requirements.

Other Duties will include:

• To contribute to the overall strategic planning of Festina Lente

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential requirements the person must meet are as follows:

• An appropriate third level qualification in a related field e.g. Social Care/ Mental Health / Behavioural Analysis / Psychology
• A minimum of two years’ full time experience of working in disability services
• A minimum of two years’ experience designing and implementing person centred plans
• Experience of supporting people with disabilities to access employment opportunities
• Experience of efficient administration and record keeping
• Experience in facilitating person centred planning
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Enjoys the outdoor environment and be physically able and fit for the strenuous nature of the post
• Have excellent knowledge and experience of delivering programmes and person cantered plans in line with New Directions Policy
• Experience of supervising and motivating people.
• Proven experience of working within a team structure
• Committed to on-going self and professional development
• Welcomes change and is committed to encouraging continuous improvement and learning
• Manages your own workload effectively while responding to new demands.
• Has the capacity to integrate well with, and contribute to, an evolving organisation.
• Have fluent English
• Have a good and proficient knowledge of IT systems and is computer literate
• Have a full and clean Irish driving license.

Other desired specifications:

• Certificate in Supported Employment
• Knowledge of Multi Element Behaviour Support

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience of being a team player
• Experience of motivating people
• Proven ability to work on own initiative within a flexible, co-operative team structure
• Solution focused
• Ability to work to deadlines

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary: €33,249.00 - €48,875.00 (13 point scale)

Hours: 39 hours per week

Pension: Employees have access to PRSA scheme.

Working Week: Monday to Friday

Working Hours: 8.00am – 4.30pm

Travel & Subsistence: A fleet of vehicles is available however; there may be a requirement from time to time to travel in your own vehicle. If and when these occasions arise, expenses will be paid in accordance with Festina Lente travel rates.

Benefits Include:

Access to a PRSA Scheme
Ongoing training and Development
Access to Educational Support
22 days’ annual leave pro rata
Personal Mental Health Day
Bike to work scheme
On-site parking

Annual Leave: Annual Leave will be 22 days per annum (pro rata). Entitlement to Public Holidays will be in accordance with the Working Time Act of 1997 (pro rata). Compulsory Leave must be taken during periods of service closure.

Service is closed for one week in August (week of bank holiday) and one week in December (Christmas)

Location of the position: Successful applicants will be required to work across the Organisation delivering relevant programmes. This will include our Dun Laoghaire base and two centres in Bray. The primary base for the position will be in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

HOW TO APPLY:

Closing Date for Applications: 6th October 2024

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting James Gonzales at james@festinalente.ie

Application forms can be found on our website https://www.festinalente.ie/forms/festina-lente-job-application-form/
Please email Nicki O’Shea at Hr@festinalente.ie if you have any queries.

Second interview will be held as appropriate.

SELECTION PROCESS
Selection will involve short listing of applicants for interview based on the criteria for the position as outlined in this job description.

A file may be formed for future vacancies.

FESTINA LENTE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY / GARDA VETTING / MANDATORY DECLARATION

Garda Vetting for all employees and volunteers is compulsory and those candidates invited for interview will be asked to complete a Garda Vetting form for submission at that time.

The successful candidate will be provided with a copy of the Festina Lente Child Protection Policy and will be required to sign their acceptance of the contents of this document.

A Mandatory Declaration Form must be signed in advance of commencement of employment.

Festina Lente is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes suitably qualified applicants from all sections of society

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: €33,249.00-€48,875.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bray, CO. Wicklow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Language:

• Fluent English (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 06/10/2024

Reference ID: Outreach SA CC