Home Manager

About the Company

Childrens Care was established by our family-run company with over 30 years’ experience in the delivery of care and support. Quality is at the heart of everything that we do. We place immense value in our staff and support them through ongoing training, development, and routes for progression. Children’s Care Ireland aims to become innovators in the field of children’s residential care, setting higher standards to enhance and improve the lives of each and every child in our care. Our homes are modern and homely and provide the optimum environment for the delivery of empathetic care and support. Join us as we establish our Children’s Care Service and raise the bar in the provision of children’s care.

The role

Children’s Care Ireland is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, organised, and professional Home Manager to be part of the team at their new children’s residential facility in Garristown, Co. Dublin. Working in a supervisory role and in collaboration with the Home Manager, you will help guide the team in the delivery of high-quality social care in a safe and therapeutic environment in accordance with regulatory requirements and our policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To ensure that all care practices comply with relevant childcare legislation, National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, and best practice.
• To actively promote, participate in, and ensure the provision of high standards of physical care, hygiene, and safety for all children resident in the Home.
• To manage the home to meet the expressed needs of the individual children and to promote positive outcomes for them.
• To participate in the pre-admission and admission processes to ensure that the placement needs of the child are fully identified and individual care plans are in place to meet these needs.
• To ensure that individual care plans are developed, implemented, and monitored in accordance with agreed standards.
• To attend and contribute to planning meetings, statutory reviews, management team meetings, and other meetings as required, representing the Home positively and acting as an advocate for the child and their family when necessary.
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of good working relationships with parents, social workers, teachers, doctors, and all other relevant professionals and agencies.
• To ensure that the young people's views and wishes are sought and acted upon where appropriate.
• To ensure that the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) model is fully integrated within the home's care practices and to monitor and evaluate their application.
• To ensure monthly summary reports/weekly reports on children’s placements are provided to the Social Worker.
• To attend court and furnish the court with updated court reports.
• To ensure that regular statistics are provided in updating the census held on young people.
• To carry out regular audits of care standards and practices within the home and develop creative ways of engaging young people in this process.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of governance systems within the company to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of service provided.
• To help create and develop links between the home and the local community.

STAFF MANAGEMENT:

• To provide leadership and guidance.
• To organize and manage staff on a day-to-day basis to maintain 24-hour staff cover and consistent care.
• To assist in the induction of new staff so that they can acquire an understanding of their role and responsibilities.
• To provide professional supervision to staff and participate in staff appraisal in accordance with Children’s Care Ireland policies and procedures.
• To ensure effective communication within the staff team regarding operational practice, including systematic handovers between relevant staff, accurate and detailed recording by all staff, and regular staff meetings.
• To assist and support staff with the production of written reports.
• To implement Children’s Care Ireland's human resource policies when required including participating in the staff selection process, appraisal process, and management of absence.
• To promote a positive culture of learning and development within the staff team.
• To develop an annual team training and development plan based on an analysis of individual training needs, the needs of residents, and any external factors.

MANAGEMENT OF FINANCES:

• To assist with budgetary control in terms of verifying monthly returns, mileage sheets, and accounts for payment where required.
• To ensure that financial procedures regarding children’s allowances, pocket money, clothing, etc., are adhered to by staff within the home.
• To ensure petty cash policy is adhered to by staff within the home and the completion of monthly petty cash returns to Finance.

MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES:

• To create a homely setting with which children can identify.
• To ensure the maintenance and promotion of a safe environment that complies with health and safety and other legal requirements.
• To ensure the outside of the building, the grounds, equipment, and vehicles are maintained in good condition, encouraging staff and children to care for their surroundings and make best use of available resources.

PERSONAL:

• To promote high standards of child care practice.
• To take appropriate action to deal immediately with poor practice and to report to the Directors when aware of such practice in any circumstances.
• To continually develop own professional knowledge and skills by participating in supervision, attending courses, and study days to develop and broaden awareness and skills in accordance with the Homes’ staff development and training plan.
• To participate in on-call and undertake sleeping-in duties if required.
• To supervise students where appropriate (subject to completion of practice teacher or similar training).

This job description is not definitive or restrictive and should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the post holder will work. It will be subject to periodic review to ensure it continues to meet the future needs of Childrens Care Ireland.

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum Level 8 degree in Social Care/Work.
• 4 years’ experience of working in a social care environment with children.
• A full driving licence with access to a car and business insurance.

Experience Required:

• Previous management experience preferred.
• Up-to-date knowledge of legislation surrounding Residential Childcare and Safeguarding.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working with a range of professionals in the industry.
• Ability to deliver reports and meet deadlines.
• Full driving licence.
• Flexible approach to meet business needs.

Childrens Care Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.