Position: Social Care Worker (Fulltime)

Location of Post: Dublin 1

Organisation

Sherrard House is a small Residential Centre which is run by a Voluntary Organisation funded by Tusla catering for up to 5 young teenage girls. Sherrard House is located in Dublin City Centre and easily accessible by public transport. Sherrard House is inspected by the Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Services Children’s Residential Centres under the framework of the National Standards of Children’s Residential Centres 2018 (HIQA). Our primary aim is to offer the young people in our care a nurturing, caring and protective environment. We aim to support, encourage and enable each young person to meet their full potential by working with them in conjunction with their families, social workers, counsellors, schools and other relevant professionals. We also aim to provide the young people with positive life experiences, trusting positive appropriate adult relationships and role models, doing so enables the young people to learn new coping skills that can support them in their interactions with their families, school, work and in their future lives.

Qualifications

Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Social Care or equivalent Level 7/8 in related field such as Degree in Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Youth and Community Work, Social Work, Social Sciences Teaching and Nursing. Experience in residential care and/or working with vulnerable young people desirable.

Hours

The hours are varied and include shift work /weekend work and unsocial hours on a roster of 156 hours monthly.

Salary

Social Care Worker basic salary
Plus, on social hours, overnight allowance, twilight hours, premium pay, and double pay on Sundays /Bank Holidays

Reporting to

Social Care Manager, Deputy Social Care Manager, Social Care Leaders and Shift Co-ordinators on duty

Duties and Responsibilities

Young people

• To ensure the young people receive the highest standard of care, education and development.
• To provide emotional support and create opportunities for each young person to share their feelings about their own particular situation. To ensure the rights of young people are respected and upheld at all times
• To ensure the young person has an input into their Care Plan through meetings with their Social Workers families and other relevant professional and in house meetings
• To manage each young persons behaviour by creating a friendly, safe, happy and caring environment for all.
• To manage difficult behaviour through the use of recommended interventions eg. TCI
• To always provide adequate supervision of the young people.
• To work as part of a staff team to ensure aims, mission and vision statements of the centre are achieved.
• To be responsible for implementing the Placements Plans of residents through Mentor/Individual work in partnership with Tusla Child and Family Agency other relevant Professionals and families where appropriate.
• To ensure that the young people’s Placement Support Programmes are being reviewed and updated as required.
• To be aware of and act in accordance with the Children First Guidelines and all other relevant legislation.
• To develop and implement age-appropriate programmes for the young people through Mentor work.
• To liaise with external agencies (schools, Social Workers, counsellors, medical practitioners etc.) on behalf of the young people, and work with personnel in a professional and respectful manner.
• To promote contact with family members and other significant people and to facilitate access as required
• To provide regular activities for the girls.

General Responsibilities

• To undertake general household duties including meal preparation, laundry, general cleanliness while on duty ensuring the house is maintained to a high standard.
• To be aware of Fire and Safety Policies in the house at all times. Work to ensure the safety of all staff and young people at all times
• To be informed of the Ethos, Policies and Procedures of Sherrard House, especially those relating to child protection.

Administrative Duties

• To undertake report writing, general administrative work and to ensure that all relevant records and files are kept up to date and in order. To ensure all records relating to the young people have been completed prior to finishing shift
• To read and “sign off” on all documentation relating to the young people
• Organise and participate in reviews, care plans and other meetings in relation to the young people.

Other

• Attend staff meetings.
• To represent Sherrard House at meetings, seminars and conferences
• To act as shift co-ordinator when necessary
• Participate in regular professional supervision.
• To take part in ongoing professional training.
• To maintain confidentiality at all times in line with policy
• To promote positive working relationships with organisations such as TUSLA Gardaí, Schools, Neighbours and other similar agencies
• To promote an ethos of best practice, professionalism and accountability within the centre
• Any other duties which are deemed reasonable by Senior Management

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, you may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the position which may be assigned to you from time to time by the organisation
Sherrard House values individual’s rights and freedoms in respect of privacy and fully complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.
All roles within Sherrard House carry responsibility towards the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Responsibilities under Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017)
The safety and welfare of children and young people is a key priority for Sherrard House. All employees of Sherrard House are required to be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Designated Person or in her absence Deputy Designated liaison person in a timely manner, in keeping with Sherrard House Child Protection policies.

What we offer

• Professional supervision
• Professional Development training
• In House training
• Paid induction
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• The Bike to Work Scheme
• Taxsaver travel scheme

Application Process

Please submit cover letter and CV to: berduffy@sherrardhouse.com

Closing date: Thursday 4th July 2024