Social Care Worker, Under 18 Residential Services, South Dublin

Contract: Permanent Contracts, Full Time & Part Time

Location: South Dublin

To work as part of residential children's service, to provide care, protection, and support to the vulnerable or dependant young people, individually or in groups, in conjunction with the wider multidisciplinary team and other relevant agencies. The primary aim is to provide interventions necessary to address the young person's issues and the issues preventing them from living at home. The aim is to provide a therapeutic care placement to the young people who most often present with emotional or behavioural difficulties and cannot live with their own families.

What you will do:

• To work as part of a team within the framework of the policies and procedures in place for the residential unit or as directed by the centre manager, deputy manager or section manager.
• To act as a key worker for individual young people and work in partnership with agencies external to Focus Ireland in relation to young people referred to the service.
• To participate in the development and implementation of care and placement plans and to ensure appropriate recording of same.
• To support young people that have experienced trauma and/or present with challenging behaviour.
• To advocate on a young person's behalf for social work, aftercare, education, training, and legal rights.
• To promote physical, emotional, social, and religious/spiritual welfare of each young person in our care.
• To promote the rights and responsibilities of each young person within the service.
• To liaise with the parents, family, general services and other agencies on behalf or the young person.
• To record and maintain records in relation to the residential unit and individual young person in accordance with statutory requirements and health and safety legislation.
• To promote the participation of young people in decision making on issues that affect their lives at both individual and collective levels.
• To assist in the implementation of the settlement policies and strategies of Focus Ireland.
• To observe all Health, Safety and Welfare at Work regulations and notify management of any risks or concerns you may have in relation to same.
• To undertake on-going professional training and development.
• To agree to take part in a 7-day, 24 hour roster.

What you will need:

• A Third level Degree in Social Care.
• Full clean driving license.
• Proven direct work experience in a social care setting at a social care level or equivalent.
• Experience of supporting marginalized clients/groups preferably adolescents.
• A working knowledge and insight into the social issues (e.g. substance abuse) that affect young people, in particular young people, who have or are experiencing trauma and attachment issues.
• Ability to manage and support young people in crisis who present with challenging behaviours based on the values and principles of best practice in Focus Ireland.

 Ideally:

• Working knowledge and understanding of Child Protection.
• Working knowledge of the national standards for children's residentials.
• Experience of key working, assessments, and care planning.
• Excellent report writing and IT skills.
• A working knowledge and understanding of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model.

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

This role is subject to Garda Vetting and satisfactory reference checking