Home Visitor - Preparing For Life (PFL) Programme

at  Clarecare

Clarecare is a professional accredited social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of person-centred services for over 55 years to individuals and families in Co. Clare. Current services include Family Support, Older Person Services and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre. Clarecare’s headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon.
Further information is available on www.clarecare.ie www.bushypark.ie
Our Vision: is to be the trusted quality care provider within our communities by supporting individuals and families to reach their full potential.
Our Mission: is to provide person-centred services to individuals and families within our communities.
Our Core Values: Collaborate Accountability Respect Empathy Trust

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION

Degree (level 7) in Social Care, Early Years and Childhood Studies , Health, Education, Youth and Community Work.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated knowledge and relevant experience of child development
Demonstrated knowledge and relevant experience of supporting clients through a mentoring and coaching approach.
Demonstrated knowledge and relevant experience of working with families in a range of settings, including homes, particularly in an area of disadvantage.
Demonstrated knowledge of Children First and Child Protection procedures
Experience of managing a case load and maintaining appropriate documentation
Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills with service users, team members and other statutory and voluntary agencies
Demonstrate experience of building good relations and liaise effectively with other agencies.
Demonstrated ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team in a fast-paced working environment.
Well-developed report writing skills.
Well-developed computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office, MS Outlook (emails), Spreadsheets and Databases (Case Management Systems e.g. OneTouch system).
The ideal candidate must be a self-starter, have initiative, be highly motivated, well organised, a good team player with flexibility regarding their work hours to meet the needs of the families.
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DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE

Experience of delivery and adherence to evidence-based quality assured programmes /manuals.
Group work facilitation experience in particular parent group experience

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Maintain and submit annual membership of the relevant accredited body as per Clarecare policies and procedures.
A positive ‘fit to work’ medical.
A positive Garda Vetting Disclosure through Clarecare.
Two positive employment references from current/most recent employer(s).
Full driving licence with insurance indemnity to Clarecare. As part of your role duties/responsibilities, you will be required to carry clients in your own private vehicle and to indemnify Clarecare under your private motor
insurance policy

THE MAXIMUM GROSS SALARY PER ANNUM ON OFFER FOR THIS 1 YEAR FULL-TIME, FIXED TERM VACANCY IS €34,328.88 COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE.

26 days annual leave per annum per full leave year (Jan-Dec), excluding Public Holidays entitlement.
Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership & access to full-terms of Clarecare’s Sick Pay Scheme
on successful completion of probation (6 months).
Payroll deduction facility for Health Insurance cover.
Cycle to Work Scheme.
Access to Clarecare’s Wellness Programmes.

ROLE PURPOSE

The role of the Home Visitor is to mentor families through the delivery of a ‘set of messages’ and skills as laid down in the Preparing for Life programme manual.
The work will involve individual and group work supporting them to meet the developmental needs of their child, ensure they have access to information on available services and are enabled to utilise these services in an effective and timely fashion.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To adhere to Clarecare’s policies, procedures, protocols in relation to all work within Clarecare.
To fulfil obligations under Children First Act 2015 and all responsibilities under Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).
To store and maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with the Family Support Services practice protocols and to comply with responsibilities under the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 & 2018 (GDPR).
To attend and participate in mandatory training/continuing professional development and learning opportunities.
To ensure up to date membership and compliance with CORU professional registration requirements at all times.
Maintain professional and personal boundaries and adhere at all times to Clarecare’s Guidelines & Code of Conduct for Staff and other policies/procedures.
To perform other duties appropriate to the position as may be assigned to you by the Family Support Services Manager or designate.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE POST

Adhere to and implement the Preparing for Life programme.
Mentor families through the delivery of a ‘set of messages’ and skills as laid down in the Preparing for Life programme manual.
Participate in the planning, delivery and evaluation of programme implementation as per the programme manual.
Participate in team training and supervision.
Work with a case-load of families as directed by Home Visiting Coordinator. This work will take place both in the family home and also in various other locations in the community.
Assess the family needs to identify support delivery.
Set clear ground rules with families and service as to the role; clearly communicate the breath of the Home Visitors remit to avoid unrealistic expectations.
Support parents/children to access appointments with various specialists as appropriate and accompany parents/children at these appointments where necessary. At all times work to support parents to be pro-active in their
parenting role to avoid creating a dependency by parents on the mentor (boundary management).
Develop quality relationships with families based on mutual respect, clear communication, integrity, honesty and confidentiality.
Ensure families have access to information on available services and are enabled to utilise these services in an effective and efficient way.
Support parents in their aspirations for themselves and their children and to be proactive in their parenting roles.
To utilise creative tools, materials and methods when, directly engaging with parents and their children.
To facilitate group-based interventions for the Preparing for Life Programme as required.
To liaise with Clarecare services and external agencies to identify the available support services for families referred to the service and foster positive working relationships in the community.
To promote the work of the Preparing for Life Programme in Kilrush
To participate in inter agency fora/ meetings as assigned to your role by the PFL Co-ordinator
To complete and submit statistical information and reports in a timely manner as requested and to ensure the data management system is up to date, that accurate records are maintained, and statistical information can be
accessed as required.
To plan and manage own workload and ensure deadlines are met.
To contribute to research, audit, review and evaluation of the Service as required.
To be flexible and adaptable in one’s approach to work with the Family Support Services Management team, clients and staff.