Deputy Social Care Manager, Under 18's Residential Services, Grange Lodge
Location: Dublin
Contract: Full-time, Permanent Contract
The purpose of this role is to work as part of a team within the u18s residential care services, providing support and therapeutic care to young people aged 15-17 who are out of home in a short to medium term residential setting. You will assist the Manager in providing effective leadership and supervision to the team.
What you will do:
1. Work within the framework of the overall objectives of Focus Ireland.
2. Lead a team in adhering to the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
3. Effectively respond to the changing needs and challenges of the client group.
4. Attend meetings and represent the team and the agency at external liaisons, facilitating team meetings, training, and support sessions as required.
5. Lead the team in providing a safe and welcoming environment for young people aged 15-17, including provision of basic care needs such as household duties.
6. Work in close cooperation with other teams in Focus Ireland, Community Care Social Work Services, and other Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate.
7. Oversee that daily logs, case notes, and other information are recorded as required by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
8. Participate in daily handovers and facilitate the smooth day-to-day running of the unit.
9. Share supervision of Social Care Leaders, Social Care Workers, Students, and Graduates with the Manager.
10. Conduct performance reviews and monitor the performance of the staff being supervised, with appraisals signed off by the Manager and Head of Youth Services.
11. Participate in the administrative functions of the project, such as Softworks, the Rota, and Petty Cash as required by the Manager.
12. Participate in the on-call system.
13. In the absence of the Manager, take on the duties and responsibilities of the Manager to ensure the smooth running of the project.
14. Implement the policies and procedures of the centre and the agency in collaboration with the Manager and the Head of Youth Services.
15. Engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis with the Manager.
16. Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your manager.
17. Undertake other duties as assigned in consultation with the Manager.
18. Be vigilant to any Health, Safety, and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative.
What you will need:
1. A third-level qualification at degree level in social care or a related field.
2. A minimum of 3 years full-time work experience at social care grade with children/young persons.
3. Previous management experience.
4. A working knowledge of the impact of childhood adversity on adolescents.
5. A working knowledge and insight into the issues (e.g., substance misuse) that affect young people, particularly adolescents experiencing homelessness.
6. Ability to manage and support young people in crisis who present with challenging behaviours based on Focus Ireland's values and principles of best practice.
7. Experience of working in partnership with multidisciplinary teams to holistically meet the needs of young people.
8. A working knowledge and understanding of the supervision and performance review process.
9. A working knowledge and understanding of Child Protection and responses to concerns.
10. A high standard of written communication.
11. Teamwork and team support.
12. Flexible and reliable.
13. Supervisory experience.
14. A working knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres (desirable).
15. A working knowledge and understanding of the therapeutic crisis intervention model (desirable).
Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
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