Deputy Social Care Manager, Under 18's Residential Services, Grange Lodge

Location: Dublin

Contract: Full-time, Permanent Contract

The purpose of this role is to work part of a team, within the u18s residential care services providing support and therapeutic care to young people aged 15-17 who are out of home in a short to medium term residential setting. To assist the Manager in providing effective leadership and supervision to the team.

What you will do:

• Work within the framework of the overall objectives of Focus Ireland.
• Lead a team in adhering to the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
• Effectively respond to the changing needs and challenges of the client group.
• Attend meetings and represent the team and the agency at external liaisons and to facilitate team meetings, team training and support sessions as required.
• Lead the team in providing a safe welcoming environment for young people aged 15-17 who are out of home, including provision of basic care needs such as household duties.
• Work in close co-operation with other teams in Focus Ireland, Community Care Social Work Services and other Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate.
• Oversee that daily logs, case notes and other information is recorded as required by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
• Participate in daily handovers and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the unit.
• Share supervision of Social Care Leaders, Social Care Workers, Students and Graduate with the Manager.
• Be responsible for conducting the performance reviews and for monitoring the performance of the staff being supervised by him/her. (Appraisals to also be signed off by the Manager and Head of Youth Services).
• Participate in the administrative functions of the project, such as Softworks, the Rota, Petty Cash as required by the Manager.
• Participate in the on-call system.
• In the absence of the Manager the Deputy Manager will take on the duties and responsibilities of the Manager to ensure the smooth running of the project.
• Implement the policies and procedures of the centre and the agency in collaboration with the Manager and the Head of Youth Services.
• Engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis with the Manager.
• Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your manager.
• Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the Manager.
• Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative.

What you will need:

• A third level qualification at degree level in social care or related field.
• A minimum of 3 years full-time work experience at social care grade with children/young persons.
• Previous management experience.
• A working knowledge of the impact of childhood adversity on adolescents.
• A working knowledge and insight into the issues (e.g. substance misuse) that affect young people, in particular adolescents who have or are experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to manage and support young people in crisis who present with challenging behaviours based upon Focus Irelands values and principles of best practice.
• Experience of working in partnership with multidisciplinary teams to holistically meet the needs of young people.
• A working knowledge and understanding of the supervision and performance review process.
• A working knowledge and understanding of Child Protection, and responses to concerns.
• A high standard of written communication.
• Teamwork and team support.
• Flexible and reliable.
• Supervisory experience.
• A working knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres (desirable).
• A working knowledge and understanding of therapeutic crisis intervention model (desirable).

 To apply please submit your CV Here
Closing date for applications: 13th of January 2025

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.