Three exciting opportunities have come up at Orchard Childrens
Services for 2016.
Due to continued expansion we are looking for applications to join our team and work within
our child centred family placement service. If you are someone who thrives on delivering an
excellent service to children and carers then we would love to hear from you. We currently
have a team of over 20 in our fostering service and we’re looking for experienced social work
qualified applicants who are ready to take the next step in their careers.
Team Manager and Senior Practitioner of Assessment.
We’re looking for both a Team Manager and a Senior Practitioner to head up our assessment
team in 2016. Both of these posts will be based in our Celbridge offices in Co. Kildare
(Please see website for location). Our assessment team is currently producing high quality
assessments within the approved national time scales of 16 weeks.
Applicants for the Senior Practitioner post must have a minimum of 3 years experience in
the child and family setting.
Applicants for the Team Manager post must have a minimum of 4 years experience in the
child and family setting.
Salary for these posts will be commensurate with experience.
The closing date for applications for both of these posts is the 20th of January 2016. We
will be scheduling interviews for the following week (25th January 2016).
Please read the job description and person specification fully before applying.
Social Worker – Support Team
We also have one vacancy in our support team with an immediate start.
This post will also be based in our Celbridge offices in Co. Kildare (Please see website for
location)
Salary will be commensurate with experience.
All of the above posts are permanent and full-time (35 hours per week).
Please see job descriptions and person specifications below
Applications should be made by way of CV to Russell.lander@orchardchildrensservices.ie
If you have any questions about any of the above posts please get in contact with Russell on
01 627 5713 or by email.
Team Manager Assessment – Pg’s
2-4
CLOSING DATE 20.01.2016
Senior Practitioner Assessment – Pg’s
5 -8
CLOSING DATE 20.01.2016
Fostering Social Worker (Support) - Pg’s 9-11
CLOSING DATE 15.01.2016
Job description: OCS Team Manager Fostering
Assessment
Reports to: OCS Fostering Service Manager
Purpose of Post:

To ensure that the service is compliant with regulations and national standards as
well as company policy and procedures

To be responsible for the overall management and support of fostering/supported
lodging assessments promoting good practice resulting in positive outcomes for
children.

To ensure that National Children First Guidelines are implemented throughout the
service to ensure the protection of children

To motivate and lead the assessment social work team along with the senior
practitioner assessment to continually improve and develop the service provided,
ensuring the promotion and maintenance of excellent relationships with TUSLA and
HIQA.
Main duties:
1. To ensure the National Standards for Fostering and the Fostering Regulations are
adhered to at all times and ensure that fostering and supported lodging
assessments are completed within required timescales. To work beyond the
national standards to offer the best quality foster placements.
2. To ensure the allocation of assessments to social workers is planned and
monitored in accordance with company policy and procedure. To proof read
assessment reports and ensure team leader visits are completed before submission
to committees and attend committee in support of presenting social workers
3. To audit and monitor the quality of service to ensure positive outcomes for
children and young people by meeting appropriate managers in TUSLA, ensuring all
opportunities for new contracts and developments are discussed with the Fostering
Service Manager.
4. To support and assist the Fostering Service Manager in the submission of tenders
and contribute to bids for the provision of a fostering services to TUSLA
5. To be responsible for the management and leadership of the senior practitioner
assessment and assessment team social workers, including monthly supervision,
annual appraisal and professional development in line with company policies.
6. To conduct regular audits of case files and oversee required actions within
prescribed time scales. To monitor performance of individual team members and
take action when necessary to improve performance.
7. To ensure fair and equitable allocation of assessment work within the team and
appropriate cover in the absence of staff. To ensure preparation training for
carers is conducted regularly and to the required standard
8.
Through supervision ensure that all staff have an individual annual training plan
that meets the requirements of their CORU registration.
9. To build and maintain excellent working relationships with relevant managers in
TUSLA for whom we provide a service and identify any problem areas and
opportunities for development.
10. To promote the Company as the Fostering Service of choice.
11. To always work within agreed Policies and Procedures, contributing to their review
and giving feedback on their suitability in practice.
12. To be an effective and enthusiastic member of the Management Team and
contribute to the development of the service.
13. To contribute to the Service Managers monthly report, giving an overview of
current issues surrounding area of responsibility.
14. To chair team meetings, ensuring accurate and timely minutes are produced with
a detailed action plan when required.
15. To work with the service manager to ensure that all inspections action plans are
completed within the required time scales
16. To keep up to date with legislative changes and good practice to ensure our
service remains at the cutting edge of fostering services.
17. To be responsible for the health and safety management of the office in which you
and your staff are based, ensuring compliance with the organisation’s health and
safety policy and legislative requirements.
18. To be constantly vigilant and ensure all risk assessments are completed and acted
upon and that they are regularly monitored and reviewed.
General
19. Work within the provisions of the Data Protection Act, observing strict
confidentiality in relation to all aspects of work undertaken.
20. To actively participate in supporting the principles and practice of equal
opportunities issues in accordance with the company policies and to work
positively towards anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice.
21. To undertake any other such duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be
required, commensurate with your level of responsibility within the company.
22. Safeguarding is everybody’s business. The welfare and safeguarding of children
and young people should be of paramount consideration, whatever your role or
level of responsibility is within the company .All employees are required to ensure
compliance with the company’s guidance and policy on safeguarding and are
required to attend child protection training ( children First) appropriate to their
level of responsibility.
Additional conditions:23. Participation in out of hours on-call management rota
24. Travel to meetings etc is required therefore the post holder must hold a full
driving licence
CQSW, Masters in social work, recognised qualification CORU registration
Car driver with current valid licence
Post qualification experience in Children & Families work and Family Placement
Experience of managing a Social Work team
Excellent negotiation skills
Leadership qualities that manifest as an excellent role model
Excellent organisational and time management skills and ability to work to tight deadlines
Commitment to achievement, quality and continual improvement
A leader who is highly motivated and able to inspire others
First-rate communicator with excellent presentation and well honed interpersonal skills.
Articulate and confident in chairing meetings.
Ability to organise and analyse information effectively with excellent report writing skills
Commitment to Equality of Opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
Able to take responsibility for ensuring children are in safe caring placements that offer
protection
Good understanding and excellent working knowledge of the Foster Care Minimum
Standards,
the Fostering Regulations and legislation governing social work with children and families
in the Republic
Post Title:
Senior Practitioner Assessment
Orchard Children Services
Fostering Service
Job Description.
Reports to: Team manager Assessment
MAIN PURPOSE:
To provide support formal supervision and direction to fostering assessment social workers and ensure
the delivery of a safe and effective service to carers and children placed within the service
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
1. With appropriate supervision to provide supervision and support to assessment social workers and
ensure the service provides quality services to carers and children within the framework of the
appropriate legislation and regulations
2. To ensure that services are efficiently and effectively provided, liaising as necessary with other
agencies, as required
3. To maintain high standards of professional practice within their own workload and to promote and
enhance such practice within the team and service as a whole.
4. Senior Practitioner will be responsible for supervision of some staff in the service and share the
operational management of the service.
5. All post holders are expected to maintain professional standards of practice and to work in
accordance with the Company vision, values, procedures and managerial guidance.
6. To manage the assessment process;
Ensuring response to initial enquiries is made within one working day
Facilitating the assessment social workers to complete assessments within the required timescales set
out in standards and regulations
Ensuring the assessments are thorough and all applicants are visited at least once by the post holder at
the direction of the team manager to check quality and explore issues arising in the assessment process
7 Working within the Company’s Child Protection policy and national Children First Guidelines
ensure prompt notification of child protection matters to appropriate child protection teams
8 Ensuring that all procedural requirements with respect to reviewing, consultation and
recording are adhered to.
9 To proof read assessment reports and accompany social workers when presenting
applications to committee
10 To undertake appropriate training and to maintain a knowledge of changes to company
procedure, legislation and regulations and of developments in professional practice.
11 To take responsibility within the team for the development of practice; to take the lead on
preparation training; to have liaison responsibilities and to represent the team as required.
12 To promote Equal Opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of work within
and outside the Company in line with legislation and Company policy.
13 To undertake any other duties as may be required commensurate with the grading of the post
in order to meet the changing needs of the service.
CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS:
The post holder will have contact with carers, staff, and other professionals including TUSLA social work
staff and fostering committees
The post holder will be expected to develop relationships across other agencies to improve outcomes for
children in the service
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP:
The post holder will be expected to manage resources as part of the management team.
The post holder will be expected to lead the assessment team
EQUALITIES:
Implementation of the Company’s equal opportunities policies and its responsibility with regard to other
individuals and service delivery.
Post Title:
Senior Practitioner Assessment
Orchard Childrens Services
Fostering
Person specification
Reports to: Team Manager Assessment
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Ability to work within a framework of legislation, guidance, policies and procedures and
accountability to senior management team.
Ability to relate effectively to children and carers.
This will include the ability to support and facilitate the work of more junior staff that are having
to deal with particularly difficult situations.
Ability to work as a team member and to form professional partnerships with other staff from
other agencies, CFA social workers and health and education professionals. This will include an
ability to remain aware of the roles and responsibilities of others and to promote a positive image
of the Company
Skill in analysing complex and problematic situations and in formulating, implementing and
reviewing, alongside carers and staff, appropriate intervention and support.
Skill in communicating clearly orally and in writing, including an ability to maintain concise case
records and to produce reports.
Ability to manage working time effectively in order to meet both professional priorities and
administrative requirements.
Ability to work flexibly including weekends and evenings as required for which TOIL is awarded
Ability to think creatively in meeting children’s and carers’ needs, using external resources and
provision where appropriate.
Ability to contribute to the overall development of the team e.g.: making presentations and
leading discussion in areas of professional practice; identifying opportunities for meeting need
more effectively; promoting an appropriate and professional climate.
Demonstrate appropriate understanding, knowledge and skills in valuing diversity
KNOWLEDGE
Comprehensive knowledge of the National standards for fostering and other relevant legislation,
regulations and guidance such as national children First Guidelines’.
Knowledge of the national fostering assessment framework
Knowledge of best practice in assessment of potential carers
Knowledge of child development and of family functioning and dynamics.
Knowledge of methods of social work intervention and theories in practice.
EXPERIENCE
A minimum of 3 years relevant post-qualification experience of children and families social work within a
statutory, voluntary or independent sector organisation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Social work Degree, Masters, C.Q. S.W.,
Registration with CORU
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A Satisfactory Garda vetting
The post holder must hold a full driving licence and have use of a car
Orchard Childrens Services Ltd
Job description
Job title:
Social Worker - Family Placement Service
Team:
Family Placement team
Reports to:
Team Manager
1. Purpose of job
As a member of Orchard Childrens services the post holder will primarily work with the
Fostering team undertaking recruitment, assessment, training and support of foster carers.
2. Principal Accountabilities

To provide quality assessments of prospective foster parents as well as regular
supervision and support to ensure a high standard of services to children in the care
of the TUSLA child and family agency

To fulfil the requirements of legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and
standards of good practice.

To comply with child protection procedures as identified in the Children First child
protection guidelines.

To liaise with TUSLA child and family agency social work colleagues to achieve
appropriate placements and the best possible outcomes for children in the care of the
TUSLA.

To liaise with other relevant people both inside and outside the Orchard Family
Placement service

To attend case conferences, court and other necessary meetings and to provide
appropriate reports.

To contribute to the planning and development of services.

To contribute to the setting of objectives, and targets for the Family Placement Team
3. Vision and Context
The post is based in the Family Placement Team, part of the Children’s Services within
Orchard Childrens Services.
The role of the team is to provide fostering services to complement TUSLA child and family
agency services for children. The legal and procedural context of the team is based on the
Children Bill, The Fostering Regulations
Orchard’s Family Placement Service is committed to ensuring that all children who need to be
looked after by the TUSLA child and family agency are placed in high quality fostering or
placements that meet their individual needs.
The Fostering Service aims to provide variety and choice of placements and a diverse range
of foster carers of different racial origin, religious persuasion and cultural and linguistic
backgrounds to meet the assessed needs of children and young people and to respond to the
current and predicted demand for placements.
The recruitment process is ongoing and involves the participation of existing foster carers and
takes account of the views of the children and young people who are looked after by the
TUSLA.
The Fostering Services are subject to regular inspection by HIQA
4. Contacts

Team Manager and other colleagues within the Team and within Orchard Children’s
Services.

TUSLA child and family agency

Foster Carers

Children and young people in the care of the TUSLA

Strategic Planning and Support Services Staff

Other statutory and voluntary agencies.
Person specification - Social Worker Fostering
Criteria
Qualifications & training
Professional qualification in social work i.e.
CQSW, Masters in Social work or
equivalent qualification validated in the
Republic of Ireland
Experience
Previous experience of working with children
and families
Previous experience of working with
vulnerable young people
Experience of working for a statutory agency
Knowledge
Essential/
desirable
Measurement
Essential
Application Form
Desirable
Application Form
Interview
Application Form
Interview
Application Form
Essential
Desirable
Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation
Essential
Knowledge of recent Government initiatives
Desirable
Knowledge of child protection procedures
Knowledge and understanding of the values
of social work
Skills / Abilities
The ability to evaluate own practice and
implement changes
The ability to work within agreed boundaries
whilst recognising areas of discretion
Using sensitivity and observation skills to
identify the needs of others in order to
assess how they can be met
Ability to set clear objectives and work in a
systematic way
Personal Qualities
Able to contribute as part of a team
Good verbal and non verbal communication
skills
Good written communication skills
Essential
Essential
Ability to work in a pressurised environment
Self motivated
Evidence of commitment to continued
professional developmental
Application Form
Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
Essential
Interview
Essential
Interview
Essential
Interview
Essential
Interview
Essential
Essential
Interview
Interview
Essential
Application Form
Essential
Essential
Essential
Interview
Interview
Application Form/
Interview
Additional information
The post holder must hold a full driving licence and have use of a car.
The post holder must be prepared to work flexible hours including some evenings and
weekends as required for which time off in lieu will be given.