Purpose of the Post
To work with the Service Manager and within the authority delegated to the post holder by the service manager; to assist in the day to day running of the service whilst remaining on the roster.
The Project Worker will be responsible for: processing referrals, conducting assessments; care/support planning and implementation of care/support plans; engaging with service users; supporting service users with move on plans; managing maintenance issues; delivering practice supervision.
The Project Worker will play a key role in recruiting, mentoring and supporting staff and students (if applicable) in order to ensure that the highest level and standards of social care practice are further developed and maintained in the service.
In addition to this, the post holder will act on behalf of the Service Manager and provide out of hours on call support where designated.
Environment of the Post
GSCK provides emergency accommodation for up to 18 people, these services are low threshold in nature, In addition supported temporary accommodation is provided to 20 households. One unit is provided for emergency families.

Principal Accountabilities & Key Indicators
Resident Support
To provide leadership on shift by demonstrating the highest standard of social care practice.
To ensure that the service responds effectively to the needs of the service users in areas such as referral, induction, key working/ case management and move on.
Ensure service users access services / community supports/ welfare allowances which they are entitled to.
Aftercare and additional accommodation supports
Ensure that the service responds effectively to the needs of former service users and service users living in various community accommodation.
To ensure staff-handovers are conducted to the highest standards, are effective, and in-line with GSCK policies and procedures
To chair regular team-meetings with all staff to ensure effective communication sharing, discussion and review of practice, client welfare and outcomes
To report to the Service Manager challenges, changes or resources needs as they arise
To record supervision meetings with all staff and students (if applicable)
To provide the Service Manager with the data and information required for meetings, and to attend meetings and present reports as required
To manage and maintain data and information in accordance with best practice
To maintain and manage an information data-base as may be required

Staff Supervision
To direct, develop, support and supervise staff and students (if applicable) in their duties
To assess the training and development needs of staff and to develop appropriate training opportunities for them in conjunction with the Service Manager and General Manager.
To assist the Service Manager to recruit and select staff, in line with the agreed recruitment and selection policy and procedure and in consultation with the General Manager & HR Service Partner, Homeless Services & HSE Social Inclusion.
To facilitate the induction of new Care & Locum staff and students (if applicable) in this service.
To liaise with the Service Manager in dealing with any staff disciplinary or grievance matters in accordance with agreed policy and procedure.
To assist the Service Manager in consultations with staff on decisions that may affect them.
To contribute to and support the implementation of progressive Information Technology systems, so as to facilitate the improvement of record-keeping and case-management systems
Maintain standard of all files and record keeping systems
Engage with referral agents and facilitate regular support plan reviews
Complete ‘move in’; ‘case management’ and ‘move out’ processes in line with policies and best practice in social care

Staff Supervision File
To further develop, keep and maintain staff supervision files in accordance with best practice.
Supervision and Roster of Locum/Relief Care staff/Shift Attendants
Monitoring and management of staff rosters in the managers absence or when delegated to do so
Provide guidance and support to Locum/Relief Project Workers/Shift attendants as appropriate
Monitoring Resources
To advise the Service Manager of efficiencies, pressures or requirements in relation to resources
Crisis Management
To have the ability to deal with and resolve difficult situation, when they arise in a calm and professional manner. Using proven crisis management techniques and following policy and procedures to ensure safety and relationships are maintained
To act on behalf of the Service Manager as required, i.e., during annual leave, sick leave, or other necessary times as requested

Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Worker will:
To work effectively within the team setting to administer the day to day aspects of the service as outlined in Standard Operating Procedures.
To maintain high quality documentation standards as per GSCK policy and observe professional standards in respect of confidentiality and data security.
To return statistics/data within required time frames.
To report any issues affecting the administration of the service to your line manager.
To attend Homeless Action Team meeting on a weekly basis as delegated in Service Manager’s absence.
To meet with the Service Manager on a monthly basis for supervision.
To identify any training gaps and undertake ongoing training in order to maintain high professional standards.
To co-operate with aspects pertaining to the operation of new technology.
Research

The Project Worker will:
To participate in relevant research/audit projects within the service in order to improve outcomes and standards in addiction and homeless services.
To participate in initiatives that improves the quality of all aspects of the service. To contribute to any service improvement plans as a result of evaluation or audit.
To ensure that service user opinion and feedback is sought in relation to all service development projects.
To be flexible in relation to service delivery as the needs of the service dictate i.e. out of hours and provision of new service initiatives.
To co-operate with staff policy and review procedures.
Personal Development

The Project Worker will:
To engage in all training needs analysis.
To maintain a commitment to further education and training.
To maintain internal supervision to reflect and review practice.
General

Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/or experience
a)
Possess the National Diploma in Applied Social Care Studies awarded by awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Cáiliochta agus Cáiliochtai Éireann) / DIT.
Or
Possess the Diploma in Social Care awarded by awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Cáiliochta agus Cáiliochtai Éireann) (formerly HETAC) / /DIT.
Or
Possess the Diploma in Applied Social Studies/Social Care from DIT.
Or
Possess a BA (Ord) in Social Care Practice (Level 7 on the QQI framework).
Or
Possess Open Training College National Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Disability).
Or
Possess an equivalent qualification
And
b) Candidates must have a suitable standard of professional attainments.
And
c) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office).

Experience
Not less than 2 years’ experience in residential social care services; preferably in the homeless sector
leadership experience in social care services, including supervision of social care staff would be a distinct advantage
Extensive experience in working with behaviours that may challenge and supporting care-staff in similar environments

Skills & Competencies
Person Centeredness
Demonstrate the importance of adopting a client centred approach; where the needs and preferences of the individual are recognised and supported.
Provide, receive and evaluate information that contributes to identifying the needs for service provision and planning future developments.
Respect
Work with individuals and colleagues to identify aspects of the environment, practice and behaviour that are beneficial to creating an inclusive culture for everyone.
Respond appropriately where people are found to be excluded.
Committed to ensuring that equality and diversity are promoted within your organisation, for individuals and for staff members and those who may come into contact with your organisation.
Support others with whom you work, to work in ways that: recognise and respect individuals’ beliefs and preferences.

Professional Development
Analyse and reflect on what is required for competent, effective and safe practice
Continually monitor, evaluate and reflect on:
your knowledge and skills
your attitudes and behaviour
any experiences and personal beliefs that might affect your work
how well you practice and what could be improved
the processes and outcomes from your work
Take action, with supervision and support, to access development opportunities that will enhance your knowledge and practice.
Review the impact of such development opportunities on your work.
Understand your role and responsibilities in the supervision process and you allocate adequate time and preparation to ensure it is a worthwhile and meaningful process for staff.
Promoting Health and Wellbeing
Encourage and support individuals to examine aspects of their lives and environment that affect their health and well-being and to select positive options to promote their own health and well-being.
Support individuals to communicate their views and preferences regarding their current and future health and well-being needs and priorities.
Work with individuals to identify the care and support: they can and wish to undertake themselves that can be provided through the individual’s support networks that needs to be provided by yourself and others within and outside your organisation.
Identify opportunities to provide choice to individuals.
Promote individual’s rights to comment, complain or make suggestions to ensure choice and wellbeing.
Advance the individual through services and/or programs to foster independence and well-being to achieve vision of eradicating homelessness.
Managing Challenging Behaviour
Support individuals to: explore and communicate their feelings about their behaviour, recognise and understand the consequences of their behaviour and understand the affects of their behaviour on others and why it might be unacceptable.
Support individuals to understand what might happen and the actions that would have to be taken, if they behave in ways that are: unacceptable to your organisation’s policies and procedures outside the law.
Support individuals to seek and acquire specialist support to help them understand and deal with their behaviour and the reasons for it.
Seek additional support for yourself, to enable you to work more effectively with individuals who have challenging behaviour.
Team Skills

Communication
Work with individuals to understand their preferred methods of communication and language and ensure that any specific aids they require are available.
Encourage individuals to:
engage with others and to respond appropriately
express their feelings and emotions in acceptable ways
overcome barriers to communication
Access and update records and reports on your work with the individuals accurately, comprehensively and according to legal, organisational procedures and requirements.
Record and report: any signs and symptoms that indicate a change in the condition and care needs of the individual, in their support requirements, any decisions you have made, actions you have taken about the individual’s support needs and condition, conflicts that have arisen and actions taken to resolve these.
Involve and support individuals to contribute and understand records and reports concerning them.
Ensure the security and access to records and reports are according to confidentiality agreements and legal and organisational procedures.

Developing External Relationships
Committed to building good working relationships with agencies, community networks and partnerships.
Portray a positive and professional image of the Service.
Participate, where appropriate in partnerships and community networks.
Committed to sharing information between professionals, where confidentiality is respected, which is crucial to person centred care.
Where appropriate participate in relevant interagency training.
Demonstrate an openness for learning from other agencies and organisations.
Ensure that any activities you engage in with other agencies or organisations value and respect individuals and promote inclusiveness.
Planning & Organising Skills
Care Planning
Participate in inter-disciplinary team working to support individuals and others to plan and implement individualised care plans.
Support individuals and key people to identify and communicate: the individual’s needs and preferences about their care and support and any risks arising from these.
Contribute to consultations about the development of individuals’ care plans taking into account their assessed needs and preferences.
Contribute to meetings and discussions about revisions to care plans and their implementation.
Record and report on the review and revisions of the care plan, within confidentiality agreement and according to your role and responsibilities.

Focus on Outcomes
Work with others to identify possible options for individuals and any risks that have to be managed.
Support the individuals and key people to identify the individuals’ current skills and abilities and how these can be built upon to enable them to manage their lives and environment more effectively.
Support individuals and key people to select methods which are most likely to enable them to make progress.
Work with individuals, key people and others to assess their progress and highlight where extra support is needed.
Work with individuals and others to review the individual’s future needs.
Other R
Ability to maintain motivation and work within a changing and developing service
Ability to provide leadership in a rights-based service
A high degree of professional and personal self-awareness
Excellent listening, reflective and analytical skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to receive and contribute appropriate critical and reflective feedback
Excellent reporting skills- ability to provide concise and relevant reports regarding clients, staff or service development
Flexible, open to new ways of working
Ability to be stay calm, objective, fair, independent and confident in challenging situations
Ability to engage with service users

To Apply:
Please send applications to ciara@gsck.ie
Closing date: 20th November 2020