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
•The Regional Health and Safety Advisor will hold the following responsibilities for their assigned Region.
•Establish a robust Regional Health and Safety Management System in accordance with legal and other requirements.
•Establish appropriate policies, procedures and safe systems of work to ensure a safe workplace environment without risk to health and safety, in so far as is reasonably practicable.
•Develop systems to ensure all Health and Safety policies, procedures, rules and regulations are adhered to and are regularly reviewed, updated and communicated effectively.
•Provide advice to management and staff on all aspects of safety, health and welfare in line with current legal requirements, standards, Codes of Practice and best practice as relevant within the region.
•Ensure the Agency meets its statutory obligations in all areas pertaining to health, safety and welfare at work.
•Establish and maintain procedures, including monitoring and other means such as review and auditing, to ensure that the senior management (and the Leadership Team as appropriate) are accurately appraised on the management of health and safety within the assigned Region.
•Develop a system for the completion of site-specific Safety Statements and risk assessments as required (in conjunction with the relevant local management) and
ensure they are kept under regular review.
•Provide advice and support with regards to the reporting, documenting and investigation of all accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences in line with legal requirements and National Policy.
•Conducting investigations, as appropriate, into workplace accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences and preparation of detailed reports to management regarding same.
•Establish a system for completion of routine workplace health and safety inspections and audits.
•Provide advice and support with regards to corrective and preventative actions required arising from internal and external inspection reports.
•Liaise with key internal stakeholders to identify (health and safety management) strategies and prioritise actions for managing risk.
•Liaise with the Estates department in relation to the completion of all required maintenance, inspection and testing requirements at Tusla workplaces.
•In conjunction with other key departments, establish a structured
programme of health and safety training throughout the assigned region.
•Provide advice and support with regards to the planning and delivery of health and safety training programmes and maintenance of associated records.
•Ensure full and accurate health and safety training records are maintained.
•Liaise with external health and safety consultants in the provision of training programmes and health and safety services as required.
•Establish a Regional Health and Safety Committee and play a lead role in its implementation.
•Keep up to date with all aspects of relevant health, safety and welfare at work legislation and communicate relevant changes to regional management and staff as necessary.
•Provide reports to the National Health and Safety Manager as required.
•Participate in meetings when required to report on relevant health and safety matters.
•Actively promote initiatives to ensure the development of a strong Health and Safety culture throughout the assigned Region.
•Work closely with Health and Safety Department team members nationally.
•Liaise with the relevant Regulatory authorities and external stakeholders as required.
•Ensure effective processes for document retention and management are implemented.

Staff Management
•Manage the day-to-day activities of team members as may be assigned.
•Provide advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
•Actively participate in the recruitment, retention and development of staff including continuous assessment.
•Promote a culture within the team of continuous professional development in order to develop professional knowledge.
•Embrace change and adapt local work practices accordingly by finding practical ways to make policies work, ensuring the team knows how to action changes.
•Promote good team working and a culture that values diversity.
•Maintain staff records in line with best practice and Tusla National Policy.

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:
•A minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland (or equivalent in another jurisdiction) in occupational health and safety.
•Have an expert working knowledge of Health and Safety Legislation, applicable Regulations, Standards and Guidance Documents.
•Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a Health and Safety function in a complex, multi-site organisation.
•Experience in the establishment of a Health and Safety Management System.
•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