Area Based Childhood Programme: Community Wraparound Description
Background:
The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is jointly funded by the Department of Children & Youth
Affairs and Atlantic Philanthropies and is nationally managed by the Centre for Effective Services (CES)
and Pobal. The Programme aims to break the cycle of child poverty within areas where it is most
deeply entrenched and where children most experience disadvantage. There are 13 ABC Programmes
nationally, of which the ABC Programme in Limerick city is one.
The ABC Programme in Limerick city is an early intervention and prevention initiative focusing on the
ante-natal to 6 years age-group in the city centre and north side of the city. The programme aims to
enhance child development and well-being, provide capacity-building supports to parents, and tackle
educational disadvantage using evidence-informed approaches and interventions. The programme
works in partnership with multiple services and agencies to ensure that children and families in the
programme areas have access to integrated services.
At a local level, the ABC Programme will be strategically managed by the Limerick Children and Young
Person’s Services Committee (CYPSC). An operational group consisting of representatives directly
involved in the implementation of programme activities, called the Project Management Committee
(PMC) provide operational management. The day-to-day programme staff and activities are managed
by the programme’s lead organisation, PAUL (People Action Against Unemployment Ltd.) Partnership.
PAUL Partnership promotes social inclusion in Limerick city and work with communities that have
benefited least from economic and social development. The successful candidate will report to the
Programme Manager, ABC Early Years Programme Limerick.
A core element of the ABC is the development and implementation of a Community Wraparound
process to enable children in the ante-natal to 3 years age-group and their families, access to integrated
services with the ultimate aim of improved outcomes in health, social and emotional behaviour. This
model of service delivery is a shared, child-centred approach rather than being expert-driven. The
successful candidate will be a Public Health Nurse seconded by the HSE to PAUL Partnership and will
report to the Programme Manager, ABC Limerick. Clinical supervision will be provided by Assistant
Director, Public Health Nursing, HSE.
Overall Purpose of the Job:
Coordinate the Community Wraparound element of the Limerick ABC Programme to ensure that
Children and Families have access to services in a timely manner through effective coordination of
statutory and community services
Main Duties:
1. Early Childhood Health & Development:

Work with the Programme Manager and Members of the Programme Management Committee
(PMC) to review experience and lessons from the Community Wraparound element of the Start
Right Southside Programme


Audit services in the proposed area(s) to identify current levels of capacity and any gaps in
provision and identify partners to be involved and supported in the wrap-around model
Implement the Start Right model of Community Wraparound programme and promote the
integration of the Community Wraparound model into the work plans of all relevant agencies.

Develop and deliver programmes in which professional expertise (i.e. Speech and Language
Therapist, Psychologist etc) work with other statutory, community and voluntary partners and
parents to develop sustainable models of early intervention and prevention.

Improve access to services for children in the programme area within the ante-natal to 3 years agegroup through a framework of planned activities, including the PHN check-up and tag-on clinics.

Ensure high standards of quality assurance at all times (in line with Limerick Quality Assurance
Framework) in all areas of services provided.

Encourage and facilitate the active participation of all parents/caregivers in the Community
Wraparound process.

Support parents/caregivers to access relevant supports or training where appropriate.

Work with the Programme Manager and Community Wraparound team to prepare preventative
and reactive response plans for the child and family.
2. Team Support:

Offer support, supervision, advice and direction to the multi-disciplinary Community Wraparound
team and promote a strong sense of positive teamwork.

Facilitate weekly planning and review meetings of the Community Wraparound Team.

Identify and support the training and up-skilling requirements of the Community Wraparound
team.

Develop and deliver multi-agency training for all partners. The purpose of this will be to develop a
shared vision, ethos, principles, working protocols and referral pathways
3. Information Management:

Monitor and manage the referral and intake process for the Community Wraparound process.

Ensure that accurate records are maintained and safeguarded as per HSE and local policy and in
accordance with relevant legislation.

Oversee the development and implementation of appropriate information-sharing protocols.

Work with the Programme Manager, Community Wraparound team and the Project Management
Committee in creating a plan of sustainability for the programme.

Collate data as required and contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the Community Wraparound
process and wider ABC programme.
4. General:


Facilitate any relevant task groups as required by the Programme Manager
Attend to any other reasonable duties in support of the aims of the ABC Programme as required by
the Programme Manager
Person Specification:
Knowledge & Qualifications:
Essential:
Desirable:

Candidates must be a registered Public Health
Nurse working in the HSE in the Limerick
Primary Care Area 1 with a minimum of 3 years
post qualification experience working as a PHN
in Primary Care .

Comprehensive understanding of child and
family health and family support issues in areas
with high levels of social and economic
disadvantage.

In-depth knowledge and understanding of
national policy , theory and practice in relation
to Child and Family Support and Early
Intervention / Prevention

Working knowledge of agencies that have
responsibility for child support and well-being
in Limerick.

In depth knowledge of Child Protection policies
and” Children First” Guidelines
Experience:
Essential:
Experience of actively supporting community
services in a family or child-related setting.
Practical experience of positive parental
engagement.
Proven Experience in a multi-agency role,
including working in a multi-agency Steering
Group
Proven experience of managing external
relationships effectively
Demonstrable experience of managing change
Desirable:
Experience of working with statutory and
community agencies on multi-agency
collaborative projects.
Experience of programme / project
management (including report-preparation,
budgets, etc.).
Knowledge of parenting programmes.
Skills:
Essential:
Ability to adapt behaviour to suit context.
Able to respond quickly and effectively as
required
Ability to listen effectively.
Ability to motivate Others
Ability to communicate constructively
Computer skills, including use of Microsoft
Word, Excel, email systems and the use of the
internet as a research tool.
Demonstrate effective communication skills
including, the ability to present information in a
clear and concise manner.
Desirable:
Group-facilitation skills
Strong IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint).
Report-writing skills.
Attributes:
Essential:
Commitment to supporting representatives of community organisations, parents and community
members colleagues on an equal footing with dignity and respect.
Honest in dealings with others
Hard-working and self-motivated
Respectful of others
Committed to continuous professional development.
Capable of working on his/ her own initiative
Health:
A candidate or any person holding this office must be fully competent and capable
of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such
as would indicate reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient
service.
Character:
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character
Other requirements
Clean Class B Drivers Licence – access to own transport
specific to the post:



Terms and Conditions
The post is full-time (39 hours per week) on the HSE Public Health Nurse salary scale.
The post will be line managed by the ABC Programme Manager and will have a clinical reporting
relationship with the Director PHN / Assistant Director PHN
The post is expected to be funded until December 2017
Closing date for applications is Wednesday February 25th
The post is full-time and will be a secondment to PAUL Partnership retaining terms and conditions
of the existing role.
Candidates may be placed on a panel for future positions within PAUL.
Interviews will be conducted on Friday March 6th
Completed applications should be sent by e-mail only to PAUL Partnership to
info@paulpartnership.ie