CoAction West Cork provides quality services to support children and adults with an intellectual disability, and children with autism. This is achieved by helping each service user reach their full potential, working in partnership with their families and carers, within the community.

Professionally Qualified Senior Social Worker (PQSW)

Dunmanway - West Cork Children's Disability Network Team

Permanent Contract - 17.5 hours per week

Closing date: Friday, 19th April 2024

Please note that a 12 month panel may be formed from these interviews from which future positions may be filled.

For full position details and job description or for details on submitting an application please visit our website www.coaction.ie or you can email HRgen@coaction.ie

Overall Purpose of Position:

The post holder will be responsible for the provision of social work support to the children and families accessing the West Cork Children’s Disability Network Team. Reporting to the Children’s Disability Network Manager(CDNM) to provide a quality, evidence based service to children and young people 0-18 years within an interdisciplinary framework and family centred practice. 

Role Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the provision of a range of social work services to the children and their families on the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT). These may include assessment, review, support, advice, counselling and advocacy services and facilitation of groups and courses. 

• To work as part of the interdisciplinary team providing a needs based service to children and their families.  

• Facilitate group based interventions for parents and carers 

• To attend on behalf of CoAction, relevant Tusla, child in care reviews and child protection case conferences. 

• To plan and provide an effective social work service in keeping with the code of professional practice of the social work profession and in keeping with the agreed objectives of the CDNT. 

• Provide training to parents, staff, volunteers and students within the CDNT as required. 

• Accountable for ensuring that professional work is in accordance with accepted good practice and is of high quality and standard. 

• Accountable for following CoAction’s Child Safeguarding statement and act as the DLP. 

• Taking responsibility for case work as considered necessary and prioritizing needs as part of the CDNT. 

• Attending family meetings, team meetings, external meeting, etc  

• Responsible for keeping up to date with social work practices, government publications and any other documents relevant to social work practices of CoAction. 

• To provide clinical supervision to other social work staff as assigned by the CDNM. 

• Accountable for maintaining records and reports.    

• Liaise with statutory and other voluntary agencies on individual cases or on group issues in collaboration with the CDNM. 

• Prepare and provide reports for / at team meetings, family meetings, etc as required  

• Work with the CDNM in policy formation, development and coordination of service development. 

• Participate in the evaluation of the service and research initiatives. 

•  Maintain statistical records or other relevant reports as required. 

• To monitor and keep up-to-date with developments in social work, including attending training courses and participating in research. 

• To take responsibility for contributing to policy development within the service area. 

• To develop and maintain good working relationships with personnel from the Health Service Executive, Tusla and other agencies so as to promote a seamless service to families. 

• To maintain quality standards and participate in quality developments.  

• Promote awareness of social work issues and understanding of implications for the team and families. 

• Maintain online records in a timely and professional manner. 

• Ensure Data confidentiality in accordance with Data Protection Policy. 

• To attend mandatory training and any other training as recommended by the CDNM.  

 Essential Qualifications:       

• A Degree (an Honours Degree in Social Work) and  be registered in the Social Work Register, maintained by the Social Work Registration Board at CORU     

and 

• Maintain live annual registration on the Social Workers Register maintained by the Social Workers Registration Board at CORU             

and 

• Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office 

• Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience of working as a Professionally Qualified Social Worker. 

• Have experience of receiving and processing social work related referrals and managing a caseload 

• Evidence of willingness to lead and participate in new service initiatives to improve the outcomes for children and their families 

• Excellent communication skills 

• Access to own transport    

Desirable Criteria:

One years’ experience at a Senior Grade 

• Knowledge and expertise of working with children with complex needs including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and/or Physical Disability and their families in an interdisciplinary team setting. 

• Knowledge of Family Centred Practice and the Principles of Progressing Disability Services. 

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time by the Director of Services/CEO or designated Line Manager. You will be given as much notice of such changes as possible. It is CoAction’s policy to review job descriptions on a regular basis.

CoAction West Cork is an equal opportunity employer.