Area Manager – Childrens Services Castlebar, Co. Mayo Ref 2024-227

at  Western Care Association

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong knowledge and competency on relevant regulations and policy including, but not limited to HIQA, New Directions, National Service Reform and current best practice in the delivery of person-centred practice
• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership, management and improvement skills
• Experience of direct line management with well-developed people management skills
• Experience of service development and service improvement
• Willingness to work flexible hours required for the job which may include evening and weekend work
• Competent IT skills
• Knowledge and experience of working with people with intellectual disabilities, Autism and complex medical needs
• Experience of supporting individuals with additional needs and collaborating with families is essential
• Applicants must have excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to problem-solve and be creative around service responses
• A genuine interest and enthusiasm to stay true to the ethos of the services
• An appetite for change, challenge and enhancement
• An understanding and appreciation of equality and life quality for all people

Other duties involved - (duties included but are not limited to the following)

• Contribute to and participate in the local service planning process and the creative development and ongoing changing needs of the service.
• Provide personal care and support to service users where required
• Ensure a safe place of work, incorporating Western Care Association’s Dignity at Work Policy and Health & Safety requirement.
• To promote safety in all environments, in line with the Association’s practices.
• Use positive approaches to support people who may have behaviours that challenge in line with Organisational practice.

QUALIFICATION DETAILS

• A minimum level 7 degree qualification in Social Care, or equivalent.
• please note your qualification must be eligible for CORU registration
• Relevant management qualification
• A minimum of three years at management level in the social care sector
• At least five years social care experience

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Full driver’s license is essential
• All applicants will be subject to Irish Garda Vetting & Reference checks
• All applicants will be required to access Overseas Police Clearance if they have lived outside of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland more than 6 months since the age of 18 years

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports To: Head of Operations

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Head of Operations, the Area Manager will have responsibility for overseeing the effective management and day to day operations of allocated services within a Service Area, to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe, effective and person centered services to meet the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, to have the best life possible, within their community.
The post holder will also be required to register as a PPIM for the designated centres within the remit of his/her service area. In the absence of the Head of Operations, the CEO will delegate responsibility as required to the Area Manager.
As a member of the Senior Operations Team for Western Care Association, the Area Manager will be responsible for contributing to and leading strategic development and achievement.

OPERATIONS / SERVICE DELIVERY:

Manage and oversee day to day operations for service delivery within your area of remit. This will include but will not be limited to,
1. Monitor the overall performance in relation to quality and safe service delivery, service user satisfaction, viability of service models and service development in response to identified need.
2. Monitor and control the use of resources to meet service demands. This will include staffing levels, equipment, transport and infrastructures such as housing and community hubs.
3. Develop effective service delivery standards to ensure that service user, Western Care Association, statutory and national reform requirements are met.
4. Identify and implement in agreement with the Head of Operations any improvement or change programme necessary in order to maximise service provision and delivery
5. Review reports of Incidents and ensure appropriate mitigating action is taken in line with Western Care Association policy and procedures
6. Pro-actively liaise with all service department to ensure appropriate services are delivered to meet service need
7. Anticipate emergency circumstances and ensure agreed appropriate contingency plans are instigated
8. Embed all relevant quality and governance standards in day-to-day practices and processes within your area of remit
9. Assist and support staff where appropriate to resolve complex or out of policy operational challenges
10. Keep up to date with relevant research, development and innovative approaches
11. Contribute to, and implement a learning organisation philosophy, seeking continuous quality improvement

PERSON SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum level 7 degree qualification in Social Care, Nursing or equivalent
• Relevant management qualification
• At least five years social care experience, of which at least three must be at a management level.
• Strong knowledge and competency on relevant regulations and policy including, but not limited to HIQA, New Directions, National Service Reform and current best practice in the delivery of person-centred practice.
• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership, management and improvement skills
• Experience of direct line management with well developed people management skills
• Experience of service development and service improvement
• Willingness to work flexible hours required for the job which may include evening and weekend work
• Experience of using IT packages and programmes
• Full clean driver’s license and use of / access to a car
  Initial Base: Castlebar, Co. Mayo
  Hours: 35 hours per week including flexibility
  Salary: Based on Grade VII salary scale

The Area Manager will lead and be responsible for a range of services, focused on:

• Ensuring a person-centred approach to service delivery based on the priorities agreed with each individual
• Ensuring each person supported receives a high quality and safe service, based on each person’s assessed needs
• Developing and building relationships with services users, families, advocates and the wider community
• Develop and maintain effective and efficient service delivery standards to ensure that service users, Western Care Association, statutory and national service reform requirements are meet
• The management, supervision, coaching and development of frontline managers
• The implementation of Western Care Association policies and procedures
• Budget management
• Day to day management of health and safety within the service

Other duties involved - (duties included but are not limited to the following)

• Contribute to and participate in the local service planning process and the creative development and ongoing changing needs of the service.
• Provide personal care and support to service users where required
• Ensure a safe place of work, incorporating Western Care Association’s Dignity at Work Policy and Health & Safety requirement.
• To promote safety in all environments, in line with the Association’s practices.
• Use positive approaches to support people who may have behaviours that challenge in line with Organisational practice