Team Leader

Reporting Relationship

The successful candidate will:

· Report to the Area Manager

· Be responsible for Social Care Workers / Nurses / Care Assistants

Purpose of the Post

The purpose of this role is to effectively manage services delivered to individuals in a variety of settings. To lead a team who support individuals in all aspects of their daily lives and in accordance with their evolving plans, to support them to lead a meaningful life.

The post holder will be required to establish and maintain relationships with individuals with disabilities that are based on respect and equality to support people to direct their own lives. It is critical that when undertaking this work the post holder will do so in a manner that is consistent with the vision and mission of the service.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Working with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

The Team Leader will:

· Work closely with and report to the Area Manager or designated manager in the administration and management of the Service.

· Take on the role of Person in Charge (PIC) or Person Participating in Management (PPIM) as required

· Assist the Area Manager in all aspects of ensuring that the service is compliant with National Standards and Regulations.

· Support the Area Manager in ensuring that all staff are aware and adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines of the Service.

· Report immediately to the Area Manager any incidents of poor practice or any matters that are prejudicial to the welfare of the service user.

· Provide supervision and support to front line staff to assist them in their caring role.

· Ensure accountability in service planning and delivery.

· Chair and participate in staff meetings, as directed.

· Post will involve working mixed shifts from designated shifts for office duties to regular day shifts, weekends, bank holidays and night duty shifts.

· Participate in all aspects relating to day to day operations of the Service in providing a 24- hour supportive service for adults with intellectual disabilities in the community in line with the service vision and mission statements.

· Ensure that accurate and concise records are maintained at all times including staff mandatory training records, planned and unplanned leave, duty rosters as required within the service.

· Maintain appropriate links with family members and with relevant community services (Social Workers, General Practitioners, Liaison Nurses etc.).

· Assist front line staff and Area Manager and members of the multidisciplinary team in the design, implementation and evaluation of Person Centred Plans (PCPs) for people who use the service.

· Link with the multidisciplinary team in relation to the safe and appropriate management of challenging behaviour of the people who use the service and assist in the development review and evaluation of all plans relating to this.

· Ensure all information relating to the people who use the service, their families, staff colleagues etc. is treated in a thoroughly professional manner, in accordance with the principles of confidentiality, data protection legislation and Freedom of Information.

· Provide leadership and motivation which is conducive to good staff relations and effective work performance.

· Attend and participate in Case Reviews and Multidisciplinary Team meetings as required.

· Co-operate with external monitoring and statutory inspections and implement their recommendations.

· Prepare and assist staff in preparing risk assessments, judgements and decisions based on the needs of the client, relevant facts, observable information, the quality of that information and the likely consequences of any actions taken / decisions made.

· Participate in all training programmes as directed.

· Promote the rights and responsibilities of each person within the service setting e.g. following complaints procedure guidelines.

· Promote physical, emotional, social, cultural, ethnic, spiritual and religious welfare of each person who uses the service.

· Participate in professional supervision.

· Any other duties that may be assigned by the Director of Service, , Area Manager of his/her designated officer from time to time, having regard to service needs and changes together with full co-operation with assignment in a range of settings appropriate to service needs.

Risk, Health & Safety

The Team Leader will:

· Adhere to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (1989) policies and procedures and other relevant legislation.

· Report any immediate concerns / incidents of questionable practice to the Manager or his / her designate.

· Be familiar with Health Service Executive policies and procedures and ensure that such policies and procedures are strictly adhered to.

· Be familiar with emergency procedures and know who to contact in an emergency.

· Work in compliance with HIQA National Standards.

· 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.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Act 2007 (Care and support of residents in designated centres for persons (Children and Adults with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 S.I. No 367 of 2013.

· As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

Education, Training & Professional Development

The Team Leader will:

· Contribute to the development of the team in light of the purpose and function of the service.

· Provide induction to new staff; guiding them on best practice in conjunction with the Area Manager / Service Manager.

· Participate in regular professional supervision and the supervision of staff as required.

· Participate in further training and development as required.

· Engage in reflective and evidence based practice.

· Keep abreast of current legislation and current professional knowledge.

· Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

Administration and Accountability

The Team Leader will:

· Ensure that adequate staffing levels are present at all times; ensuring that staff are deployed in the most effective manner, delegating responsibilities as appropriate.

· Manage, develop and support staff, individually and as a team, including induction, probation, supervisory support and training. Ensure that handover is completed efficiently and effectively

· Monitor the interactions between staff and clients and ensure that any concerns are discussed with the Area Manager and addressed accordingly.

· Assist in the administration and day-to-day operation of the service; assume responsibility for various operational functions as designated from time to time by the Manager or his/her designate.

· Attend team meetings and report to the Area Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.

· Be accountable for any money spent on behalf of the HSE during the course of duty.

· Make written and verbal reports to the Area Manager on a regular basis on the progress of development of people who use the service.

· Prepare reports for and participate in strategy meetings ensuring that all records relating to those meetings are maintained to a high standard as appropriate / required.

· Assist in the preparation of policies and procedures required to ensure high standards of care and the implementation of same.

· Be responsible for decision making when on shift and in the absence of the Area Manager as appropriate; which will include accepting overall responsibility for the service setting.

· Provide cover for the Area Manager or his / her designate in their absence.

· Work duty rosters as required, including weekends, public holidays and night duty etc.

· Participate in all aspects relating to day to day operations of the service, including providing personal care and support to people who use the service as required.

· Be punctual and precise in maintaining time sheets/e roster/ annual leave cards.

· Participate in on call duties where it applies.

· Carry out any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

· 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 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 him/her 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 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 awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Cáiliochta agus Cáiliochtai Éireann)/DIT.

OR

(iii) Possess the Diploma in Social Care awarded by 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 management experience

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 office

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 depth and breadth of experience of supporting people with disabilities to realise their potential as relevant to the role.

· Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience of leading and managing a team as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post

· As this post may involve the driving of a HSE owned vehicle the successful candidate is required to hold a full unendorsed Drivers Licence category B.

· Willingness to participate in future training.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must:

Professional Knowledge / Experience

· Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Health Act 2007 (Care and support of residents in designated centres for persons (Children and Adults with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 S.I. No 367 of 2013.

· Demonstrate sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

· Demonstrate knowledge or experience of Social Role Valorisation or SSDL (Supported Self Directed Living)

· Demonstrate an understanding of theory and practice in the delivery of care to the client group.

· Demonstrate knowledge of Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

· Demonstrate knowledge of Lámh training.

· Demonstrate knowledge of Multi Element Behaviour Support and approaches used in the management of Challenging Behaviour.

· Demonstrate knowledge and proven ability to interpret and apply legislation in the area of Disability Services.

· Demonstrate knowledge of risk assessing and the implementation of general risk assessments.

· Demonstrate knowledge of Medication Management.

· Demonstrate experience in completion of HIQA notifications.

· Demonstrate knowledge of completing incident/accident reports/investigations as per State Claims Agency requirement.

· Demonstrate experience of managing aggression and potential aggression training.

· Demonstrate sufficient awareness of policy, legislative and professional requirements to ensure an appropriate standard of service delivery (e.g. a working knowledge of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults from abuse and HIQA standards and requirements as related to the function of the role).

Planning and Managing Resources

· Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money.

· Demonstrate ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multi tasking as part of daily workload management.

· Demonstrate an understanding of budgets and completion of all financial records in compliance with National Financial regulations.

· Foresees potential problems or competing priorities and takes appropriate action to ensure service standards don’t suffer / deadlines are met

· Takes responsibility for the achievement of delivery targets by regularly monitoring, recording and reporting performance statistics/information

· Demonstrate behaviour support planning.

· Demonstrate incident and accident reporting.

· Demonstrate ability to work on own initiative.

· Demonstrate flexibility and motivation.

Leadership & Team management Skills

· Demonstrates leadership and team management skills.

· Empowers staff by appropriately delegating responsibility and authority

· Adapts leadership style to suit the demands of the situation and the people involved

· Motivates staff towards the provision of a quality service

· Demonstrate knowledge of Person Centred Planning and working with key workers within the service in developing person centred care plans.

· Demonstrate ability and commitment to work as part of a team.

· Demonstrate ability to effectively build and maintain relationships including the ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members.

· Demonstrate the ability to manage a team, providing leadership and engagement opportunities.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

· Demonstrates commitment to assuring high standards and strives for a person centred service.

· Recognises the service user as expert through experience and promotes the involvement of the service user in care planning, decision-making and service development as appropriate

· Provides a flexible service, is adaptable and promotes innovation in approach to service user care

· Demonstrate commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a person centred service.

· Demonstrate initiative and innovation in identifying s for service improvement.

· Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the service user as expert through experience including promoting the involvement of the service user in care planning, decision-making and service development as appropriate.

· Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.

· Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development

Problem Solving & Decision Making

· Demonstrate ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions / solve problems especially with regard to service user care.

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

· Formulates, articulates and demonstrates sound reasoning / synthesises and analyses information available.

· Regularly quantifies and evaluates activities against plans and takes timely action to correct potential difficulties

· Makes decisions in a transparent manner by involving and empowering others where appropriate.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

· Demonstrate ability to effectively influence others / negotiate with others.

· Demonstrates excellent communication skills (verbal & written) including active and empathetic listening skills.

· Maintains a professional relationship in all communications, treating others with dignity and respect.

· Works collaboratively with the client and other relevant individuals to understand and establish expectations and desired outcomes

· Demonstrate ability to effectively influence others / /negotiate with others.

· Demonstrate ability to effectively build and maintain relationships including the ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members.

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.

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”.

Salary: €53,621 - €62,619 per year