Integration Support Worker

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION Cork County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which vacancies for Integration Support Worker may be filled. In the Programme for Government, a commitment was made to end the system of Direct Provision and replace it with a new International Protection accommodation model centred on a not-for-profit approach, an ambitious and comprehensive new model of accommodation and other supports in health, housing, education, and employment for applicants in Ireland’s International Protection System. A cornerstone of this new model is a focus on supporting the principle of ‘integration from day one’ with the overarching aim of empowering applicants to live independently in the community. To achieve this goal, applicants will require access to a network of assistance and supports.

In expanding this model, the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), in collaboration with Local Authorities aims to establish permanent Local Authority integration teams (LAITs) in each Local Authority to coordinate the provision of supports to: (a) Applicants for International Protection (IP Applicants) (b) Those with Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, or Permission to Remain status (c) Programme Refugees, and (d) Beneficiaries of Temporary Accommodation (BOTPs). The primary role of the LAITs is to provide ongoing integration supports to IP applicants, Programme Refugees and BOTP to enable them to live independently in the community. This will involve linking these cohorts with local service providers appropriate to their needs. The LAITs will also act as the direct point of contact, providing information, guidance, and advice, answering queries as they arise and ensuring that they are in receipt of applicable benefits and entitlements.

SECTION 2: THE ROLE The Integration Support Worker will support the Integration Support Coordinator in the delivery of services including support in accessing employment and developing English language proficiency; childcare, healthcare services and linkages to sporting and other local / community activities SECTION 3: THE DUTIES: The Integration Support Worker (ISW) will perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time which will involve the facilitation, implementation and promotion of the policies and objectives of Cork County Council for the advancement of the LAITs. The ISW reports to ISC and will come under the remit of the Director of Services, Housing or any other designated line manager that the Chief Executive or Director of Service may choose to assign

Key duties include but are not limited to: 1. Promoting the social inclusion of IP applicants, Programme Refugees and BOTP into local communities through effective use of community development principles and practices and local integration supports; 2. Hosting clinics in local areas and using community development principles to support those in attendance; 3. Collaborating and working with teams in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) including the customer service, the resident welfare and the people with status teams; 4. Acting as lead on Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) integration projects, supported by grant agreements, put in place to support the integration of programme refugees; 5. To support the Integration Support Coordinator to ensure work programmes are implemented to deliver on the Cork County Council’s operational plan; 6. Support with accessing English language classes / courses; 7. Support with accessing employment activation / volunteering; 8. Support with accessing education and / or training, capacity building courses and apprenticeships; 9. Linking with other public services including legal, childcare, healthcare, and dental and optical services; 10. Providing guidance through application processes for income supports, medical cards, child supports, and any other applicable entitlements; 11. Support with accessing local groups and activities e.g., sporting, music; 12. Supporting IP applicants to transition out of the system once they have received a decision from the Department of Justice including guidance on accessing mainstream and Non-Governmental Organisation supports; 13. Making appropriate provisions for vulnerable persons, including working with mainstream service providers to facilitate access to additional services if required; 14. Assisting in addressing any issues / concerns / grievances / complaints that arise in interactions with public services; 15. To develop and maintain productive working relationships; 16. To compile, prepare and present reports, presentations and respond to correspondence as necessary; 17. To represent the office on committees or at meetings and give progress reports as required; 18. To provide support and assistance in the delivery of projects as required; 19. To assist the handling day to day issues, ensuring compliance with all council policies and procedures; 20. To deputise for the line manager or equivalent as required; 21. Preparing interim and annual reports, including data on budgets and expenditure as required. 22. To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned, from time to time;

Reporting 23. Ensure compliance with all required Local Authority financial, management and governance reporting requirements; 24. Collect, maintain and update relevant data; 25. Work with project partners to ensure that they are aware of and fulfil their reporting requirements. Governance 26. Ensure the LAIT conforms to all policies and procedures of the Local Authority and in line with the Governance Framework.

SECTION 4: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate shall have: 1. Character Each candidate must be of good character. 2. Health Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. 3. Education, experience, etc. Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:- a) Have at least 3 years’ experience working in a similar type role with diverse groups in a community development setting; b) Possess a good working knowledge of the mainstream model of integration and the policies which govern Ireland’s International Protection system, Irish Refugee Protection programme and Temporary Protection programme c) Have experience of providing individual support and outreach; d) Have experience of working with other external agencies and organisations including both voluntary and public sector; e) Possess a good working knowledge of the youth sector and the ability to connect International Protection (IP) applicants, Programme Refugees and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) aged 15-24 years with the appropriate support services; f) Have a strong understanding of the concept of cultural diversity and the ability to adapt working approach to embrace many different nationalities and cultures; g) Have a thorough knowledge of the principles and processes of community development with expertise in a broad range of development models, particularly those appropriate to minority ethnic groups; h) Hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and have access to his/her own car; i) Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge. 4. Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant within the meaning of the Public Services Superannuation Act, 2004. A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 70 years of age. 5. Transport Holders of the post should hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall be required to drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. 6. Required Skillset In the context of the key duties and responsibilities for the post of Integration Support Worker listed above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge, experience, skills and competencies. • Have extensive community engagement / development experience; • Possess a knowledge of the challenges and opportunities relating to International Protection in an Irish context; • Have personal experience in terms of delivering socially inclusive policy interventions / programmes; • Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned; • Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they: • Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed; • Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position SECTION 5: COMPETENCIES A Competency Based Application form requires you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain competencies (necessary skills and qualities) required for the position for which you are applying. For each competency, you are given a description of a skill or quality. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what YOU have done which demonstrates this skill or quality. It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question. Therefore, compose your replies carefully in this section and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

For each example, please include the following: a) the nature of the task, problem or objective; b) what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill or quality (and, where appropriate, the date you demonstrated it) c) the outcome or result of the situation and your estimate of the proportion of credit you can claim for the outcome. The information you present in your application may form part of a shortlisting process and may also be used to help structure your interview, should you be invited to one. A shortlisting process may be applied based on TWO or more of the competencies and on other information you provide in your application form. Please note that, should you be called to interview, the board may look for additional examples of where you demonstrated the Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Competencies required for this post so you should think of a number of examples of where you demonstrated each of the skills. A candidate must possess the following competencies: - Management & Change

• Is effective in translating corporate mission and objectives into operational plans and outputs; • Develops and maintains positive, productive and beneficial working relationships; • Effectively manages the introduction of change and demonstrate flexibility and openness to change. Delivering Results

• Contributes to the development of operational plans and leads the development of team plans; • Plans and prioritises work and resources effectively; • Establishes high quality services and customer care standards; • Makes timely, informed and effective decisions and shows good judgement and balance in making decisions or recommendations.

Leading, Motivating, Managing Performance and Communicating Effectively • Leads, motivates and engages employees to achieve quality results and to deliver on operational plans; • Effectively manages team and individual performance; • Have good and effective written and verbal skills.

Personal Effectiveness

• Take initiative and be proactive when he or she sees the opportunity to make a contribution; • Manage time and workload effectively; • Maintain a positive and constructive and enthusiastic attitude to their role.

SECTION 6: TENURE The position is fulltime and pensionable. A panel may be formed to fill permanent/ temporary vacancies for Integration Support Worker which may arise during the lifetime of the panel.

SECTION 7: SALARY The salary scale for the post is: €53,345 - €65,172 (Oct 2024 rates). €55,641 - €56,969 - €58,586 - €61,629 - €63,447 (maximum) – LSI1 €65,706 (after 3 years satisfactory service on the Maximum). – LSI2 €67,977 (after 3 years satisfactory service on the 1st LSI). Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011, will enter the scale for the position at a minimum point. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.