The Child and Family Agency was established on 1^st 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

The National Director of Services and Integration, reporting to the CEO has delegated accountability for specified operational services within the agency and in driving integration of services, both internally and externally.

This post is a key role within the Office of the National Director of Services and Integration.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for day-to-day management/ overseeing of functions and work of the Office of the Director of Services and Integration including management of administrative support staff in the office.
• Take special responsibility for quality of work produced in the office and meeting deadlines for internal (Including the Office of the CEO and Tusla Board) and external communications (including HIQA, the Department of Children, and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children) including development and maintenance of any necessary tracking systems.
• Oversee diary management / scheduling of meetings for the DOSI, and management of National Operational/Strategic meetings Chaired by DOSI (sub meetings of the Executive Management Team).
• Ensure that assigned projects and ongoing functions are managed in line with stated objectives and within specified budget and timelines.
• Assist in the management, development, implementation, and monitoring of service plans.
• Manage the interface with the Office of the Director of Services & Integration and the various services within Operations.
• Prepare clear, concise, high-quality reports and briefs as required, including liaison with operational services and other directorates to gather information/inputs where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Office of Director of Services & Integration, Operational System and other Directorates (OCEO, the Board Office, HR, Finance, IT, Data Protection; Transformation & Policy, & Quality Assurance) to ensure effective implementation and oversight of strategic and business objectives.
• Support the ongoing collection, validation, and interrogation of performance and management data/reports in relation to operational services and assist in tracking progress of performance improvement and risk management.
• Identify any trends in performance data, risks, reviews and reports and prepare analysis/summary reports to support ongoing monitoring/service improvement.
• Promote and participate in the implementation of any change management programme.
• Initiate, facilitate and promote good management information practice to ensure compliance with national standards and legislative requirements.
• Ensure risks identified are appropriately escalated and tracked.
• To create a positive working environment, which contributes to maintaining and enhancing effective working relationships.
• Assist in the management and have oversight of the office compliance with Health and Safety Legislation and GDPR obligations.
• Keep up to date with policy and legislative developments relevant to the post.
• Be accountable for own work and that of others as appropriate.
• Work on own initiative as well as part of a wider team.
• Share information with the wider team as appropriate.
• Deal with under performance in a timely and constructive manner.
• Ensure all staff members are treated with dignity and respect.

Education & Training

• 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 development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, mentoring, training and in-service needs of the inspection and monitoring team
• Keep updated with current and relevant policies, procedures and legislation.

Human Resources

• Ensure policies and procedures are well documented and understood by staff within your section who are assigned to you
• Support the preparation and issuing of office documentation (correspondence, reports etc.,) to the highest possible standard by monitoring and reviewing team work to ensure quality and accuracy
• To promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• To provide assist with leadership and motivation conducive to good staff relations and work performance
• Where appropriate establish and maintain records of attendance, statistical information, annual returns, and any other information as may be requested
• Work as part of a team and to ensure that all members are treated with dignity and respect
• Participate in the recruitment, retention and development of staff including training and continual assessment

Health & Safety

• 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 the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• 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. 

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

• Be currently in employment with Tusla – Child and Family Agency, the HSE or within other statutory health agencies, or a body which provides services on behalf of the HSE under Section 38/39 of the Health Act 2004 or within a body that provides services on behalf of Tusla under Section 56 or Section 59 of the Child and Family Act 2013
• Have at least 2 years’ administrative experience in a designated office within the services mentioned above
• Have supervisory experience
• Have the requisite knowledge and ability for the effective discharge of the duties of the role, including experience with
  • Minute taking
  • Gathering, analysis and reporting of complex information and data from multiple sources to produce clear and concise reports/briefs to inform decision making and performance management.
  • Management and delivery of multiple concurrent pieces of work.
  • Working collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders, as relevant to this role.

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.