ABOUT US

The Orchard Care Group is a wholly Irish owned company dedicated to providing the best possible care, supports and outcomes for children, young people, and adults in Ireland across a range of settings and locations, in fostering, disability and mainstream residential services.
The Group brings together three leading brands in Irish social care – Orchard Residential, Orchard Community Care and Orchard Fostering.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Person in Charge of our new Children’s Residential home in Co Cavan, you will ensure that the children and young people we support are cared for to the highest standards. Your high quality, integrated approach will enable young people placed in Orchard Residential Care to achieve positive outcomes and live their best lives. This post requires you to work proactively with the Regional Director to contribute to the optimum delivery and development of Orchard Residential Care. You will be required to promote a culture within Orchard Residential Care and all aspects of its work that is respectful, non-discriminatory and embracing of diversity.

This role

• Monday to Friday working model
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Attracts a bonus option
• On call allowance per weekend on call
• Enhanced maternity allowance
• Income Protection Scheme

About You

• You will hold a minimum QQI level 7 qualification in social care and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting and 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification.
• Alternatively, you may hold a QQI level 8 qualification in social care with 3 years’ post qualification work experience in a children’s residential care setting. Or
• Alternatively hold a relevant qualification with 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification.
• A professional qualification in Social Work is also considered as suitable, for a Person in Charge with the requisite 4 years post qualification practice experience and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting.
• An individual who does not hold a recognised or relevant qualification but is entered onto the CORU register of Social Care Workers and has the requisite 4 years full time work experience may be considered for a position of Person in Charge.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.
• Full clean drivers licence which has been held for more than one year

Our Children & Young People

• To lead, manage and support the Social Care team to deliver a high-quality service that promotes young people’s safety, well-being and development.
• To contribute to the development of the service and to implement plans.
• To ensure effective day to day running of Orchard Residential Care, within the framework of Orchard Residential Care policies and procedures and statutory regulations.
• To ensure that all standards in relation to the children/young person are upheld within the statutory framework and Orchard Residential Care standards.
• This post requires you to ensure that the Children’s home reflects a culture that is inclusive, warm and nurturing where young people’s wellbeing and development is promoted.
• To ensure that all matters regarding child protection are promoted and responded to in a pro-active and diligent manner. To protect young people from harm inside and outside of the home.
• To ensure that the children/young person’s needs are recognised and met where possible. This includes ensuring that young people are free from discrimination within the home and to challenge discrimination within and from outside the home.
• To ensure that the home meets the needs of individual child/young person and the needs of the group.
• To take a lead role in agreement with the Regional Director for responding to referrals and assessing the child/young person’s suitability for placement.
• To ensure that the admission of a child/young person is welcoming and reflects the expectations of the placement plan.
• To ensure that each child’s/young person placement follows their placement plan and that each child has an up to date individual care plan based on an assessment of their needs.
• To ensure that the child/young persons’ progress is regularly reviewed and that the care team are adapting their approach in relation to the child/young person’s developmental needs.
• To ensure that the child/young person are informed of their rights and responsibilities enabling them to take greater control of their lives.
• To attend children/young persons’ case reviews, planning meetings and other meetings as required and provide a monthly management report to the Director and to report in a timely manner on all matters as agreed.
• To ensure that transition plans for the child/young person leaving the home are carried out positively and within Orchard Residential Care guidelines.

Staff, Procedures & Finance

• You will be responsible for the line management and supervision of the Social Care team. It is also part of this responsibility to ensure that the Social Care team works positively with Education and Therapeutic Support Services as part of an integrated Orchard Residential Care team
• You will ensure effective and efficient financial management of the Children’s Home.
• To ensure that the financial management of the Children’s Home is in line with the requirements of Orchard Residential Care policy and the Head of Services.
• To ensure always that the occupancy levels of the Children’s Home are being optimised and to contribute wherever possible in promoting positive referrals.
• You will effectively implement and ensure compliance with all Orchard Residential Care policies and Statutory Regulations relevant to the Children’s Home, and ensure that the Home is maintained to a high standard, reflecting a warm, cared for, nurturing and child centred environment.
• To liaise wherever necessary with external professionals in response to inspections to ensure the professional representation of the Children’s Home and Orchard Residential Care.
• To ensure that all significant matters regarding the care and well-being of young people are reported to the appropriate individuals and authorities within the set time scales.
• To pro-actively maintain Orchard Residential Care policy on confidentiality, equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practices. Be pro-active in implementing the organisations model of care: Three Pillars (training will be supplied).
• The post holder is responsible to contribute to the development of Orchard Residential Care and implement changes as agreed with the Regional Director.