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 http://www.tusla.ie 

Purpose of Role:

To contribute and enhance responses to child protection and welfare referrals to Tusla where domestic violence and abuse is a concern. 
The post holder will work closely with Tusla’s intake service and family support services (including Tusla funded DSGBVS) in responding to referrals relating to domestic violence and abuse.  
 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

The post holder will:
•    Provide a one-to-one support to parents/guardians and children referred to Tusla child protection and welfare service and where domestic violence is a concern. This support includes:
-    Providing information and support on legal options available for domestic violence. 
-    Providing support to parent/guardian to access Tusla funded domestic violence specialist services
-    Contributing to improving safety and wellbeing of parent/guardian and children who have experienced domestic violence 

•    To participate in meetings and implement agreed actions including Tusla strategy meetings, child protection conferences, network safety planning meetings, Meitheals, area intake and family support meetings to review response pathway required. 
•    To support parents/guardians and children in accessing other support services such as Family Resource Centres, Tusla services and funded family support services. 
•    To contribute to ongoing learning and improvement in Tusla service response to domestic violence. This includes working alongside social work, social care and family support colleagues to promote learning and implement best practice models in responding to domestic violence in families. 
•    Maintain case records of work undertaken, stored in accordance with GDPR guidelines.
•    As part of Tusla response, work alongside other agencies including An Garda Siochana, HSE (including hospitals) and Tusla funded Domestic Violence services. 
•    Other tasks as assigned by line manager as part of provision of services for families where domestic violence is present. 

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 7 qualification in one of the following areas, including:
-    Social care
-    Nursing
-    Psychology
-    Counselling 
-    Addiction studies 
-    Community work

   AND

Have a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience working within domestic violence services or within services for children and families where domestic violence is a presenting issue.  

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.