NW Cornerstone CLG (Previously Sligo Social Services)

NW Cornerstone CLG is a leading non-profit organisation in the North-West working with a wide variety of service users. Cornerstone works to safeguard, meet the needs of and promote the welfare of service users through the provision of quality services and advocacy. For Staff Cornerstone offers a supportive inclusive workspace and generous benefits package, including above average annual leave, access to our pension scheme, the employee assistance program and ongoing training opportunities.

Team Leader

1 x Housing First Team Leader Post

35 Hours per week

Salary: €40,687.41

Role

To line manage a multi-disciplinary team, delivering a high-quality Housing First service in County Donegal.

Housing First is a model that works in conjunction with the local authority that provides housing to then supply wrap around supports to those who have been long- term homeless and have a history of complex trauma and rough sleeping.

The team lead role will require planning, assessing and delivering a trauma informed support service. This guiding and advising a multi-disciplinary team and working with individuals in their homes and in the wider community and helping them with community integration and wellbeing. The Team Leader will also network and promote Housing First with relevant organisations and services to continue to grow and maintain an established working service.

Location

Office is based in Letterkenny town, covering county Donegal.

The service is currently provided Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. With the intention of the service being extended to Saturdays in the future. Saturdays will be worked on a staff rotational basis.

Successful applicants will:

· Be registered with or in the process of registration with CORU as a social care worker (https://www.coru.ie)

And

· Have a Level 8 Qualification in Social Care/Social Work. The Organisation will consider applicants with a lower qualification, but exceptional relevant experience would be required.

· Experience working in a supervisory role is required.

Candidates must

· Be fully competent and capable of undertaking duties as specified within the job description and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

· Hold a full Irish driver's licence and access to own can

Desirable

· Relevant experience working with vulnerable adults, preferably within homeless services.

· Experience and understanding of working with clients with a dual diagnosis.

Details of expectations to be found within the job description.

Short Listing will apply

For further information contact Lisa on 085 8768387 or l.couch@nwcornerstone.ie

To apply for the position, please submit your CV and a Cover Letter to:

recruitment@nwcornerstone.ie

Cornerstone in an equal opportunities' employer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Employer: NW Cornerstone CLG

Job Title: Housing First – Team Leader

Reporting to: Homeless Services Manager

Location of Job: Donegal. Office based in Letterkenny town.

Primary Purpose: To work as a part of NW Cornerstone to deliver the Housing First model of an intensive case management service; to individuals with an experience of long-term homelessness and complex trauma in County Donegal. The Team Leader will be the line manager to the service guiding, advising and supervising the Multi – Disciplinary team. They are also expected to carry a caseload of Service Users when needed.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Service Delivery:

· To work to the principles and fidelity of Housing First.

· Work within the framework of the overall objectives of the NW Cornerstone Intensive Case Management Service.

· To work within the overall policies and procedures of the NW Cornerstone.

· To build up and maintain a portfolio of accommodation providers in social housing, homeless sector and private rented accommodation.

· To work as and guide a multi-disciplinary team and service.

· To work in close liaison and co-operation with other teams within NW Cornerstone and also other Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate

· To work to the service model and standards of best practice

· To attend or facilitate Team Section, Departmental, Agency and External meetings, including handovers, and training as required.

· To meet regularly for supervision of work with your assigned Supervisor.

· To supervise, induct and train staff, students or volunteers to the ethos and framework of Housing First.

· To implement and review existing policies and procedures and to input into the development of new ones.

· To risk assess and problem solve as issues they arise.

· To plan, implement and evaluate the daily activities.

· To undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the Line Manager.

· To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and to find solutions and report all undertakings or concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative.

Clients:

· To use a trauma informed approach when working with service users either in their own home or in the wider community.

· To establish trusting relationships and use person-centred planning with service users; advocating with and on their behalf to secure long-term tenancies with continued support.

· To undertake assessments and support planning with service users as the lead agent using the Care and Case Management system and protocols and other tools as appropriate; such as STAR Outcome to assist the person to successfully progress toward and in independent living as appropriate.

· To assist the service users to create and sustain a home, helping manage bills, day to day living skills and integration within the local community.

· To advocate, accompany and provide support to service users on appointments to other services i.e. doctors, counsellors, court etc.

· To help foster good working relationships with neighbours and liaise with local authorities where necessary.

· To provide Advice, Information and Guidance as a prevention or in response to being out of home.

· To promote recovery orientation and harm reduction approaches. Liaising with multi-disciplinary agencies to achieve this goal.

· To support service users in developing life skills, seeking out education, training and employment opportunities if and where they so wish,

· To maintain a caseload of service users.

· Ensure participation by NW Cornerstone at case reviews and other client related meetings

· To risk assess and review on an ongoing basis, updating records as is needed.

Admin:

· To be responsible for keeping up to date casework records, daily logs and written assessments. Inputting information on the NW Cornerstone database, Outcome Star online and PASS.

• Ensure written records on clients and data on service as required by NW Cornerstone and statutory bodies, including funders, are in place, are of an acceptable standard and are up to date.
• Working with the Services Manager and Finance Team, to develop the annual financial plan for the service and ensure that the service operates within the agreed annual budget and in adherence with the financial policies, systems and procedures of the organisation and all statutory requirements.
• Identify any financial risks to the services and review all financial procedures and controls on an ongoing basis.
• Gather and record data to feed back to funders as required. Monitor and review risk assessments and support plans.

Line Management:

· Manage and work closely with the Services Manager to ensure effective and efficient operations with overall responsibility for the optimum performance of staff.

· Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to meet legislative and policy requirements

· Supervise the delivery and development of services which meet the needs of all service users in an integrated and ‘client focused’ manner ensuring fidelity to the housing first model.

· Ensure that staff are recruited, inducted, and probated in line with best practice in staff recruitment and employment legislative requirements.

· Ensure staff are supervised, trained and supported in their roles in line with NW Cornerstone policy and sectoral best practice with a particular focus on continuous professional development.

· Be familiar with and ensure that the service adheres to Children First, and with the Child Protection Procedures of NW Cornerstone.

· Be familiar with and ensure that the service adheres to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedures (i.e. reporting concerns regarding the care and safety of vulnerable adults to NW Cornerstone management and to the HSE).

· Overall responsibility for managing health and safety within area of responsibility.

· Regularly review relevant legislation, governance requirements and general practice within the sector, monitor changes in legislation or practice of relevant organisations and work with the management team in line with best practice.

· Develop, update and implement relevant NW Cornerstone policies and procedures in accordance with best practice and relevant legislation

· Ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to facilitate the organisation to regularly review and continuously improve standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a fully comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: All employees are expected to familiarise themselves with the NW CORNERSTONE Health and Safety Policy and adhere to its procedures to ensure the health and safety of staff and service users and the security of the premises.

: Each staff member is expected to observe the highest ethical standards, to treat all service users equally and fairly, to respect their right to confidentiality and to maintain confidentiality on all matters related to NW CORNERSTONE staff and board of directors. Where there are child protection concerns the NW CORNERSTONE policy on child welfare and protection must be followed and may require a referral to the relevant person in Tusla. Where there are concerns regarding the safety of a vulnerable adult the NW CORNERSTONE policy of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults must be followed and may require a referral to the relevant person in the HSE.

The above represents the principal conditions of service and is not intended to be the comprehensive list of all terms and conditions of employment which is set out in the employee’s contract of employment.

Pay: €40,687.41-€41,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bike to work scheme
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person