CHW Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support

Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support, Children’s Disability Network Team

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title, Grade Code

Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support, Children’s Disability Network Team

(Grade Code 3030)

Campaign Reference

CHW057-SCLBSCHW-2024

Closing Date

Wednesday 02nd of October 2024 at 12 noon.

Proposed Interview Date (s)

Proposed interview dates will be indicated at a later stage. Please note you may be called forward for interview at short notice.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post

Community Healthcare West

There are vacancies available for Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support in Galway, Mayo & Roscommon Children’s Disability Network Teams.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Behaviour Support Social Care Leader,Children’s Disability Network Teams, Community Healthcare West from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration for the post of Behaviour Support Social Care Leader may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

Name: Teesh Walsh

Job title: Children’s Disability Network Manager 8 East Galway & South Roscommon

Email: teesh.walsh@hse.ie

Mobile: 086 0472424

Details of Service

Children’s Disability Network Teams provide services to children with complex needs. An overview of these services is outlined in Progressing Disability Services national programme https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/disability/progressing-disability/pds-programme/

Reporting Relationship

The Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support will report to the children's disability network manager. Together you will work collaboratively in the relevant supervisory structure to ensure clinical governance and assurance.

Clinical Governance and Assurance will be overseen by the CHO2 Disability Governance Group & Children’s Disability Clinical Advisory group.

Purpose of the Post

The Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support is a member of the children’s disability network team. The post holder will work as part of an interdisciplinary team, adopt family centred practice, have a key working role and provide behavioural support to individual children/young people.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support will have a strong child/family focus. The post holder will

• Work as part of the interdisciplinary team partnering with families to develop family centred individual family service plans reflective of an individual’s and family priorities

• Provide behaviour support to children and young people to maximise participation at home, school and in the community

• Undertake comprehensive functional behavioural assessment

• Plan, communicate, model and review behavioural supports with significant people in a child/young person’s life

• Link with other services as needed

• Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to behavioural support for children.

• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to the child’s participation in decision-making

Education & Training

• Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.

• Maintain clinical competence in the area of management of behaviours that challenge

• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for children, their families and/or carer in relation to behaviours of concern

• Take a lead role in ensuring the service for children with a behaviour that challenges is in line with best practice guidelines and the Safer Better Healthcare Standards (HIQA, 2012).

• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation

• Create learning opportunities for the team to ensure best practice in the area of behaviour support across the interdisciplinary team.

Audit & Research

• Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the Children’s Disability Network Manager

• Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision in collaboration with team and manager

• Monitor, access, utilise and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice.

Health & Safety

These duties must be performed in accordance with local organisational and the HSE health and safety polices. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act (2005). Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the local policy documents and as set out in the local safety statement, which must be read and understood.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (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.and comply with associated HSE 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.

Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities

• Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to quality, risk and safety.

• Participate and cooperate with local quality, risk and safety initiatives as required.

• Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisation’s structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to, The National Hygiene Audit, National Decontamination Audit, Health and Safety Audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities.

• Initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with local organisational quality, risk and safety requirements.

• Contribute to the development of PPPGs and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Comply with Health Service Executive (HSE) Complaints Policy.

• Ensure completion of incident/near miss forms and clinical risk reporting.

Management / Administration

• Provide an efficient, effective and high quality service, respecting the needs of each child, family and/or carer.

• Effectively manage time and caseload in order to meet changing and developing service needs.

• Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs.

• Ensure that confidentiality in relation to children’s records is maintained.

• Represent the specialist service at local, national and international forum as required.

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management, delivery and evaluation of care and ensure that this service is in line with HSE requirements.

• Contribute to the service planning process as appropriate and as directed by the children’s disability network manager

The above Job Specification 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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

i) Possess the National Diploma in Childcare awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Cáiliochta agus Cáiliochtai Éireann) (formerly HETAC) / DIT.

or

ii) Possess the National Diploma in Applied Social Care Studies awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Cáiliochta agus Cáiliochtai Éireann) / DIT.

or

iii) Possess the Diploma in Social Care awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Cáiliochta agus Cáiliochtai Éireann) (formerly HETAC) / DIT.

or

iv) Possess the Diploma in Applied Social Studies/Social Care from DIT.

or

v) Possess a BA (Ord) in Social Care Practice (Level 7 on the QQI framework).

or

vi) Possess Open Training College National Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Disability).

or

vii) Possess an equivalent qualification

AND

(b) Candidates must have 3 years’ experience of working with children and young people in crisis.

AND

(c) Candidates must have a suitable standard of professional attainments.

AND

(d) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the offices).

2. 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.

3. Character

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

Post Specific Requirements

Demonstrate the depth and breadth of your experience working with children/young people who present with behaviours that challenge

Demonstrate an ability to lead and influence the practice of others

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to appropriate transport and full driving licence as posts will involve travel

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• In-depth knowledge of the role of social care leader behavioural support.

• An interest in working with children/young people with behaviours of concern.

• An in-depth knowledge of working with children with disability and their families.

• Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be professionally accountable for actions/omissions. Take measures to develop and maintain the competences required for professional practice.

• Knowledge of health promotion principles / coaching / self-management strategies that will enable people to take greater control over decisions and actions that affect their health and wellbeing.

• The ability to manage groups through the learning process and the skills to provide constructive feedback to encourage and promote future learning.

• An understanding of the principles of clinical governance and risk management as they apply directly to the Behavioural Support role and the wider health service.

• A working knowledge of audit and research processes.

• Evidence of computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, E-mail, PowerPoint.

• Ability to complete a functional behavioural assessment.

• Skills, knowledge and experience in the provision of positive behaviour support for behaviours that challenge.

• Experience of implementing and communicating behaviour support plans and strategies.

Planning & Managing Resources

• Evidence of effective planning and organisational skills including awareness of appropriate resource management.

• Ability to attain designated targets, manage multiple tasks and deadlines

• Ability to be self-directed, work on own initiative.

• A willingness to be flexible in response to changing local / organisational requirements.

Leadership & Team Management Skills

• Provides leadership in clinical practice and acts as a resource and role model.

• Demonstrates an ability to work on own initiative as well as part of an interdisciplinary team; demonstrates the ability to effectively build and maintain relationships.

• An ability to self-motivate, perseveres and reacts constructively despite setbacks and ensures that goals are achieved.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

• Ensures that welfare of the child/family is a key consideration at all times

• Is in touch with and understands the concerns and needs of the service-user population

• Demonstrates commitment to providing quality results; resilience and composure

• Promotes best practice in the provision of care ensuring standards are maintained and developed

Evaluating and Judging Situations:

• Demonstrates the ability to collect and collate relevant statistics and other relevant information

• Gathers information from enough sources and other people to make well-founded decisions

• Demonstrates the ability to identify, critically analyse, disseminate and integrate evidence into the area of clinical practice

• Demonstrates evidence of initiating, participating in and evaluating audit

• Demonstrates effective analytical, problem solving and decision making skills; makes decisions and solves problems in a timely manner before they accumulate

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Effective communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to effectively present information in a clear and concise manner, tailoring the communication to suit the needs of the audience for example, behaviour support plans

• Demonstrates sensitivity to issues arising from multiple stakeholders, demonstrating good negotiation skills and assertiveness as appropriate.

• Demonstrates a strong patient focus / the ability to advocate effectively

• Effective interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively with the client and other relevant individuals to understand and establish expectations and desired outcomes.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long term health condition.

For further information on the HSE commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, please visit the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion web page at https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/diversity/

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.

Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on https://www.cpsa.ie/.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.

This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Social Care Leader – Behaviour Support

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacancies available are permanent and whole time and part time

The posts are pensionable. A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Social Care Leader – Behaviour Support, Children’s Disability Network Teams, Community Healthcare West from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration for the post of Social Care Leader, Behaviour Support may be filled.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post is: (as at 01/06/2024)

€54,157-€55,328-€56,498-€59,618-€60,827-€62,028-€63,245

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th, 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Children Guidance and Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2, Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

Some staff have additional responsibilities such as Line Managers, Designated Officers and Mandated Persons. You should check if you are a Designated Officer and / or a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

For further information, guidance and resources please visit: HSE Children First webpage.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (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. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

· Developing a SSSS for the department/service[1], as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

· Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained, and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

· Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

· Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

· Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

· Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

· Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

[1] A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function, here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/safetywellbeing/about%20us/

2 See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy