Job Description: Social Worker

Hours: Fulltime
Reporting to: Director of Services
Location: Laois, Offaly Longford
Salary: €43,584-63,145

Role Overview:

Peter McVerry Trust is committed to reducing homelessness and the harm caused by drug misuse and social disadvantage. Peter McVerry Trust provides low-threshold entry services, primarily to younger persons with complex needs, and offers pathways out of homelessness based on the principles of the Housing First model and within a framework that is based on equal opportunities, dignity and respect.

The role of Social Worker role will provide service delivery to participants with complex needs and effectively coordinate care through appropriate assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.

Responsibilities:

The role will include but not limited to, the following key responsibilities;

• To work for Peter McVerry Trust within the authority delegated to him/her by the Director of Nursing and Addiction Services
• Meet with the Director of Nursing and Addiction Services at regular intervals regarding the progress of his/her work
• To effectively manage your caseload on a day-to-day basis and report appropriately back to the Director of Services as required

Social Worker Responsibilities:

• Uphold all agreed quality standards and participate in the evaluation and audit of services in order to improve quality, standards of care and ensure effectiveness
• To promote continuity of care through the use of effective communication processes with fellow staff members
• To identify any specific training needs required to carry out your role to the highest standard contributing towards confidence and competence
• Provide health education/health promotion service to participants
• In conjunction with the duty team, deliver care to clients in line with policies, procedures and systems ensuring they meet the requirements of the key service objectives
• To build positive working relationships with community agencies and other stakeholders to promote inclusion and ensure that the needs of the participant are being met through community services

To provide direct support to participants through:

• Intervention, support and assessment
• As part of a multi-disciplinary duty team in a community setting, to conduct health assessments, to plan, implement and evaluate care plans and to provide care to participants with complex needs
• To advocate to external agencies on behalf of the participant group where required to ensure needs are met
• To support the participant group in managing access with their children and actively engaging with child and family agency as required
• When required, advocacy and referral to community services
• Observing the behaviour of the participants and escalating any behaviours that may present as a safety issue
• To conduct comprehensive assessments and make recommendations required
• Applications being made following assessment for home care packages and actively liaising with public health nurses to secure same

To assist with participants’ case work through:

• Effective communication with all Peter McVerry Trust staff
• Supporting the team to carry out sessions with participants to aid in the process of long-term goal setting
• Assisting with participant’s Individual Care Plans
• Ensuring that participants are fully informed about all entitlements
• To instil hope in the participant group in respects of positive change and overall improvement in regards to quality of life

To maintain a safe and healthy living environment through:

• Adherence to safety and security protocols
• Ensuring appropriate health and safety measures are in place and upheld at all times and escalating any issues identified to the Director of Nursing and Addiction Services
• Encouraging the participant group to make decisions and have input in their own care

To respond to requests for service through:

• Links with other Peter Mc Verry Trust services, screening and assessment
• Communication of information and referral to resources
• Offering ongoing support to former participants
• To liaise with past participants to offer support, advice and guidance in regards to accessing services.

To undertake administrative duties through:

• Maintaining participants’ details and documentation
• Providing written reports to the Director of Nursing and Addiction Services where necessary
• Recording any Incidents / Accidents that may occur and ensuring incidences are reviewed and measures put in place to prevent/minimise future occurrences
• Reviewing care plans and safety plans weekly and ensuring any changes to participants care is documented and relevant adjustments are implemented to cater for the participants needs in a holistic manner

Change in work programme:

• It may be necessary, from time to time, for workload to be re-prioritised in order to accommodate workloads in other areas of the organisation. Due notice and consultation will be given

To have a positive and enthusiastic attitude in work:

• In your interactions with the management team, staff and participants of Peter McVerry Trust
• In your interactions with external agencies while representing Peter McVerry Trust

Other duties:

• Any other duties as designated by the Director of Nursing and Addiction Services
• Any other duties which may arise in line with catering for the needs of our participants

Experience Required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience required;

• Hold a relevant qualification to degree level in the area of social work
• Be registered with CORU
• Essential competencies: communication skills, commitment to providing the highest level of service, professionalism and maintaining professional boundaries, respect for others, promoting choice independence, health and well-being and resilience & positive outlook
• At least 1 years experience post registration and a positive, calm and client centred approach to their work.
• Desirable: Experience of working with participants with complex needs in a residential setting. A keen interest in the area of complex needs/homelessness and an overall awareness/understanding of the social implications of drug misuse

Other Information

• Confidentiality: It is a condition of service that all information obtained during the course of employment, especially with regard to participants affairs is treated with the strictest confidence.
• Equal Opportunities: To implement Equal Opportunities into your daily practice at all times
• Health and Safety: To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your Colleagues in accordance with relevant PMVT policies and procedures.

To apply please download the application form or visit pmvtrust.ie/careers: Application Form

Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@pmvtrust.ie along with your CV and Cover Letter.

Closing date is 31st December.

Peter McVerry Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Registration Number 412953 | Charity Number CHY7256