Social Worker - Basic Grade - Permanent - 35 hrs/wk - Ref C050

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.

Social Worker

Professionally Qualified - Basic Grade

Permanent Full Time Contract

35 hours per week

West Cork Children's Disability Network Team

Closing date for applications : Friday 11th July 2025

Overall Purpose of Position:
To provide a quality, evidence based social work service to children and young people aged 0 – 18 years and their families within an interdisciplinary and family centred practice framework. The post holder will be required to support other staff and students as assigned. 

Reporting/responsible to:  
Children's Disability Network Manager (CDNM)

Duties:   

Planning and Organising of Activities and Resources  

• Plans and organises activities and necessary resources efficiently and effectively.  

• Understands the importance of time management for themselves and in particular how this translates to organising their assigned caseload.  

• Demonstrates the ability to arrange and schedule activities.   

• Deals with unexpected scenarios under supervision with persistence and flexibility to ensure the achievement of goals.  

• Maintains a disciplined and professional level of performance under sustained or situational pressure.  

Professional Development and Standards in the Service  

• To provide a range of Social Work services to children, young people and their families attending the service.   

• To conduct social work assessments of children with a range of disabilities and their families attending the service.   

• To provide ongoing social work support to designated families on an individual and group work basis.  

• Ensure that the delivery of social work services is in accordance with CORU’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers, relevant legislation and Coaction policies and procedures.  

• Assess, refer and support families in accessing respite and home support services.   

• Liaise and coordinate with statutory, voluntary and other bodies to make it possible for families to advocate for their own needs, and where appropriate to advocate on behalf of families.  

• To participate in the evaluation of the service and in research initiatives  

• To promote and deliver services within the ethos and philosophy of CoAction  

• Maintains standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge including participating in continuous professional development, attending training courses and participating in research.  

• Participates in professional supervision, engages in reflective practice and ongoing Continuous Professional Development.   

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

• Is adequately aware of policy, legislative and professional requirements to ensure appropriate standards in their area of responsibility.  

• Ensures that all records and technical data are up to date and available if required.   

• Ensures strict compliance with health and safety standards.   

Integrity & Decision Making  

• Holds an appropriate and effective set of professional values and beliefs and behaves in line with professional standards as set down by CoAction and relevant professional bodies.  

• Makes decisions in a well-judged and timely manner.  

• Uses logical analysis to break complex problems into their component parts.   

• Promotes and consistently supports the demonstration and development of evidence based service delivery.   

Service Delivery & Initiative  

• Collaborate with the child/young person while working in partnership with their parent/family/carer and all other relevant stakeholders to identify and achieve goals.  

• Takes initiatives to move the service forward and shows a willingness to try out new ideas under supervision that add service delivery value.  

• Is committed to achieving evidence based goals and the continuous improvement of the service.  

• Shows enthusiasm and a high level of motivation in completing projects.  

Building and Maintaining Working Relationships  

• Forms strong positive working relationships across all areas of the service, builds on a common understanding.    

• Demonstrates a supportive and reciprocating work style including strong empathy with the child/young person and their parent/family/carer.  

• To communicate effectively with parents of children and young people attending the service so as to provide a children and family centred service.  

• Works appropriately with all stakeholders.   

Team Working  

• To work in collaboration with the other members of the interdisciplinary team in the planning and delivery of services for children and young people, in particular in the development of child and family centred service provision.  

• Attend and actively contribute to relevant clinical, professional and team meetings.  

• Participate in training and development opportunities as identified and agreed.  

• Support and contribute to research initiatives as required.  

• Understands concepts of interdisciplinary team working and complexity of working in teams.  

To minimise exposure to breaches of GDPR, strict compliance is required In the course of carrying out the duties of this job and working with others. This will include but is not limited to compliance with CoAction’s GDPR Policies & Procedures, attending all GDPR training sessions and ensuring personal responsibility for implementing safeguards and measures as directed.   

Terms & Conditions:  

Responsible to: The Children’s Disability Network Manager  

Probation: A probationary period of 6 months applies, wherein two to three probationary meetings will take place to review your performance and suitability for appointment. The probationary period may be extended or terminated for any reason at CoAction’s discretion.  

Annual Leave: Annual Leave entitlement is 25 days per year. 

Pension Scheme: CoAction operates a contributory pension scheme which all employees may join. 

Medical: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical assessment. 

Garda Clearance/Police Clearance:  This will be required for all prospective employees who will undertake relevant work or activities relating to children or vulnerable persons. 

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Previous relevant experience of working with children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

• Requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills is essential.

• Organisational skills.

• Initiative.

• Team Worker.

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

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.