Social Care Leader x5

Job Title:  Social Care Leader, X5
Location:  Supported Living Service
Salary: €39,607 per Annum, Full-Time
Duration: Permanent subject to Garda vetting and 6-month probationary period

Summary:
Reach Deaf Services is committed to ensuring that the people in our service are empowered to live the best life possible. We are recruiting to ensure that the right staff are in place, prepared, trained, and ready to support people in their own home. We are hugely committed to investing in our staff and provide a very generous training package.

The role of the Social Care Leader will have responsibility for supporting service users to live a Self-Directed life promoting positive risk taking and ensuring each service user lives a good life. In addition, you will assist in enabling Service Users to make choices and enjoy a lifestyle that fulfils their potential and expectations, bringing opportunity for new experiences. This role within reach deaf living services holds the responsibility of leading a team of community support workers to deliver an effective and efficient service, while supporting and driving quality initiatives.

Why work for us:

Reach Deaf Services is a not-for-profit organisation, providing services to the deaf community in Ireland and are currently recruiting for a Supported Living Services Manager.

• We offer a competitive salary.
• Flexible working
• Generous employer pension
• 22 days annual leave
• Learning and Development opportunities with a focus on personal and professional progression
• A job with purpose, working as part of a diverse and inclusive team

Interviews for these vacancies may take place week beginning 29^th April 2024.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Below contains the main outline of duties. Duties are likely to arise from time to time that do not fall within the list below.

• Developing and implementing Support Plans and Task Analysis, in line with Policies and Procedures
• Ensuring adequate staff support for each service user and forward planning for the week ahead to ensure appointments and events are appropriately resourced.
• Adhering to and monitoring the implementation of all policies and procedures, including guiding and communicating these to team members
• Responsibility for monitoring service users Finance support plans and carrying out audits.
• Support in Medication Management, including administering of same to Service Users
• Responsible for collaborating with the Management Team in relation to audits in the community homes.
• Building strong relationships and having accountability for key (Adult) Service Users and interactions with their family and friends
• Linking in with other professionals and ensuring recommendations are followed through and communicated effectively to wider team
• Committed to taking on additional responsibilities in areas such as; practice development, audits, transport, infection control, first aid, key working etc
• Promoting and implementing Social Role Valorization
• Promoting best practice and adhering to Assisted Decision Making Act
• Ensure a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and reporting all Safeguarding concerns

Advocacy

• Act as an advocate on behalf of key Service Users and be proactive in maintaining a support network
• Adhering to a rights-based approach and supporting individuals will and preference
• Be the primary contact with key Service User’s family, friends and visiting professionals
• Facilitate and implement a Person-Centered service appropriate to the needs, wishes and requirements of the Service User, liaising with other professionals where required
• Take a lead role in organizing and/or attending all Support Plan reviews, key Service User’s meetings

Support Plan

• Participate in the co-ordination, development and implementation of key Service User’s plans, in order to meet the aspirations and preferences of the Service User, while ensuring these plans are reviewed on a regular basis.
• Input relevant information into the support plan and review on a regular basis with management
• Develop the strengths and personal qualities of key Service Users by enhancing competencies and supporting them through Task Analysis to build their skills
• Focus on Social inclusion and community connection by researching available networks that incorporates the individuals’ interests

Communication

• Continuously promote Irish Sign Language, knowledge on Deaf Culture and unique communication styles
• Provide Supervision and support to immediate support team for reflective practice and to enhance staff development in the delivery of support services
• Regularly communicating with the support team around areas of improvement.
• Foster a good relationship with the Service User, their family, staff, volunteers and visitors, ensuring open regular communication and professionalism at all times
• Working closely with management to ensure all reports and records are person centered, written factually and up to date using clear, precise language that others can interpret and understand
• Maintain strict confidentiality in relation to matters regarding Service Users, other team members and the services provided by Reach Deaf Services

Supporting the Service User

• Supporting each service user to live a Self – Directed life
• Work with Service Users in a way that promotes safeguarding, equality, dignity, diversity and their rights
• Ensure that any safeguarding concerns are raised immediately, in line with the Safeguarding Policy
• Provide personal assistance in all aspects of personal development, personal care, while adhering to safe practices at all times, including safe administration of medication to Service Users
• Support Service Users to identify their future aspirations and current support needs and consider how these can be met.
• Assist Service Users in reaching their potential in independence, communication and personal development.
• Follow and implement where required Behavior support plans to support the service user and meet their identified needs.
• Ensure the service provided is reviewed by the management team to ensure it is working effectively and in line with budget.
• Hold Service User planning meetings, to ensure that decisions are arrived at in a spirit of co-operation and that each Service User’s voice is heard in the decision-making process.
• Ensure that all records are maintained in accordance with Retention of Records Policy
• Celebrate social occasions and other events that occur during the year.
• Ensure that support is utilized in a way that facilitates Service Users to participate in educational and recreational activities of their choice.
• Adhere to all relevant national policies, including (but not limited to) HIQA Standards, HSE Policies, including any safeguarding plans.
• Take responsibility for delegated duties to ensure compliance with HIQA.
• Assist Service Users with budgeting and management of their personal finances, as required, ensuring Service Users monies are accounted for and recorded, in line with Finance Policy

 Skills and Experience:
We are looking for a Social Care Leader with excellent communication skills, a record of accomplishment of involvement in their local community, flexibility and creativity. The best fit for this role is someone who possesses the skills and responsibility to lead a team of support workers in the community and support service users to lead a self-directed life.

Essential criteria:

• QQI Level 7 Degree in Social Care or a degree in a related discipline
• A minimum of one years’ experience in a social care setting
• Experience in implementing positive behavior support programmes
• Excellent working knowledge of regulatory compliance and HIQA Standards, Regulations, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Duty of Care and the HSE Report “New Directions”
• ISL Fetac Level 4 or commitment to achieve within 2 years

Desirable criteria:

• Proven leadership capabilities
• Person centered rights focused
• Strong communication and good decision-making skills
• Well-developed report writing skills (e.g. Accident/Incident report forms)
• Positive risk taking
• Good time management capabilities
• Excellent team player, as well as having an ability to work effectively on own initiative
• Committed to on-going Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
• Committed to participating in regular supervisions
• MAPA, Fire Safety, Safeguarding, PBS and Manual Handling training completed and up to date

What we Offer

• Rewarding and flexible working environment, with excellent support from a network of Team Leaders and Managers
• Set rosters and regular work hours
• Competitive rates of pay + Travel Expenses
• Induction and continued training programme to upskill in areas such as Social Role Valorization, Positive Behavior Support, Medication Management, Mental Health and various other areas required to enable you to have the necessary skills in supporting people to lead self-directed lives.
• 22 days holidays, Maternity Benefit, Excellent Pension Package, Employment Support Programme and opportunities for career progression

Do you not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and members of underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all qualification criteria.

At Reach Deaf Services, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles

If this exciting opportunity sparks your interest, please contact us

Any interested applicants should forward their CV and a short covering letter stating their suitability by email to recruitment@reachdeafservices.ie by the close of business 04:00pm on the 25^th April 2024.

If you require further details on this role, please contact Kristina Harris directly at KHarris@reachdeafservices.ie

All offers of employment are subject to Garda Vetting.

Kristina Harris,
HR Generalist
Reach Deaf Services