The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services.  The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure. 

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:
•    Child Protection and Welfare 
•    Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
•    Alternative Care 
•    Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption 
•    Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
•    Children’s Service Regulation 
•    Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Professional / Clinical 

The Senior Manager for Prevention, Partnership & Family Support will:

•    Conduct a local assessment of Child & Family needs and strengths in their area
•    Identify the optimum catchment areas for the development of Child and Family Support Networks (CFSNs) and the number of Co- ordinators required and keep this allocation under continuous review.
•    To operate as part of the senior management team to ensure that prevention and early intervention initiatives are integrated with Tusla Social Work Business Processes.
•    Develop strong partnership arrangements with agencies funded by the Agency and agencies that also provide services locally to children & families.
•    Co-ordinate and in some instances line manage the identified and re-configured CFSN Co-ordinators and support them in their role.
•    Contribute as part of the management team to service development and improvement across the continuum of services provided through the National Service Delivery Framework.
•    Assist the Area Manager to adopt a new approach to commissioning in line with Tusla National Policies.
Management

The Senior Manager for Prevention, Partnership & Family Support will:

•    Report and advise on progress with implementation of the area based approach to prevention, partnership and family support.
•    Oversee the implementation of appropriate induction and probationary systems with key staff.
•    Oversee the implementation of an appropriate performance management system for the delivery of high quality prevention and early intervention type family support services.
•    Keep updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice.
•    Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.
•    Ensure service delivery corresponds to best national and international practice.
•    Ensure services comply with relevant HR and other policies, procedures and guidelines.
•    Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and guidelines in relation to the national service delivery framework engaging staff as appropriate.
•    Participate in and contribute to service planning and development.
•    Formulate and review the Agency service plan and contribute to the overall Agency plan in consultation with other Heads of Service.
•    Provide service delivery reports as required e.g. service plan, annual report.
•    Ensure that there are appropriate systems in place to gather relevant information.
•    Ensure compliance with a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
•    Oversee service user and data confidentiality.
•    Collaborate with the Area Manager, Children, Youth and Families or equivalent in developing the role of the Senior Manager for Prevention, Partnership & Family Support and the team e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.
•    Collaborate with the Children & Young People’s Services Committee and Co-ordinator to advance Tusla’s Early intervention and Prevention work.
•    Ensure that the Meitheal Early Intervention National Practice Model makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.
Education & Training

The Senior Manager for Prevention, Partnership & Family Support will:

•    Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.
•    Engage in career and professional development planning.
•    Oversee the provision of a framework for the promotion of staff and Agency development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, mentoring and training needs of Agency staff and partners.
•    Act as a resource by participating in the education and training of colleagues and other health professionals as required.
•    Build and communicate an understanding of the role of the prevention and early intervention services and their integration with Social Work and other services.
Health & Safety 

The Senior Manager for Prevention, Partnership & Family Support will:

•    Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
•    Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
•    To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.  

Please refer to the Candidate Information pack attached to this campaign for full and further detail

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

•    A relevant degree in community work, family support, social care, social work, education or other relevant discipline.

•    Significant experience of working in the area of direct children and families services provision at a senior level to include a proven track record of working with children and families who present with complex needs. 

•    A proven track record of achieving results through community networking and cross sectoral working as relevant to the role.

•    Significant experience of leading, motivating and managing multi-disciplinary teams, including the establishment of a positive performance culture that has delivered effective performance and continuous service improvement.

•    Ability to analyse complex problems, and able to develop business models to investigate a number of options/solutions and their viability, evaluating risk within a changing environment.

•    Have five years relevant post qualification experience.
and

•    the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 

Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good 
character