Assistant Refuge Team Leader Role

13th November

Assistant Refuge Team Leader Role

In summary

Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services have been allocated funding by Tusla Child and Family Agency to resource an Assistant Team Leader role in line with our growth and development plan. This role will be a full-time position (37 hours week). This role requires an exceptional individual who wants to make a difference. You will have a passion for improving services for women and children. You will have experience of managing people, as well as managing change and service improvement. A recognised third level degree and demonstrable leadership experience relevant to the community/voluntary sector is essential.

Role

The Assistant Refuge Team Leader is a member of the Refuge Management Team reporting directly to the Team Leader. This team which is being developed will provide strategic leadership and management oversight to safeguard quality service delivery and supports to women we work with and their families.

The purpose of the role is to assist managing the refuge services including Relief, CE Scheme, Overnight staff and Students for Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services across any sites we work from in line with the organisation’s vision, mission and core values. The Refuge service is a core element of the work of the organisation. It includes the provision of emergency refuge accommodation to women and children leaving their homes as a result of Domestic Violence. We also manage a crisis helpline. Both services are provided 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. As a crisis and advice support service it is a busy and challenging environment.

As Assistant Team Leader you will also have responsibility to be part of the on-call process for the refuge and be a member of the On Call Team. This means you will be on a roster to be on call out of hours (after 5.30pm and weekends) one week in five as a member of the on-call team. Payment for this is separate to the core salary.

The Assistant Team Leader will report to the Team Leader. They will be responsible for the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

To represent the work and ethos of MWRSS in a professional and ethical manner at all times in line with the organisation’s strategic goals, vision, mission and values.
To be responsible for the recruitment, induction, rostering, and supervision of the Relief Team members/Students/CE Scheme workers/Overnight workers to enable them carry out their role.
To assess the performance of Relief/CE Scheme staff and Students at regular intervals with a view to developing all team members to reach their full potential and perform as valued and key contributors in the operation of the Refuge.
To promote good communication and teamwork amongst Relief staff including the facilitation of Relief Panel meetings and other communication tools.
To inform Team Leader and Relief Staff/Students/CE Scheme Staff of any relevant CPD opportunities that may arise to ensure professional development within their relevant roles.
To ensure that you adhere and support Relief/Students/CE Scheme staff to adhere to Children First Guidelines and MWRSS Child Protection and Welfare Policy so that the Service is friendly, safe and child centred working with the Designated Liaison Person/ the Deputy DLP in this regard.
To complete audits of written and electronic records for all Refuge staff and to provide reports to the Team Leader.
To provide guidance on Esafe (our Client Record Management system (CRM)) to staff where needed.
Monitor Support Plans Weekly on our CRM with the Team Leader to ensure that they are completed correctly and in a reasonable period, with appropriate interventions in line with GDPR and Trauma Informed Practice.
Monitor if Initial Assessments and Full Assessments weekly on our CRM with the Team Leader to ensure they are completed within the required time frame.
To develop a monitoring system, and complete monthly spot checks to ensure that our computers/phones are compliant with GDPR.
To ensure the timely submission of written and verbal reports to the manager as required, including statistical and financial analysis.
To support the management team to ensure staff members adheres to the requirements of relevant legislation and internal policy procedures e.g., GDPR, Complaints Policy and Health and Safety.
Work with the Team Leader to ensure the appropriate service evaluation procedures are in place with a view to introducing continuous improvements and developments in services offered, especially the quality of support for service users.
To be willing to register with CORU as a Social Care Worker, during the grandparenting period.
To have a good understanding of the Standards and Proficiencies of Social Care Work.
To abide by the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of Social Care Workers as laid out by CORU.
To develop practical daily living skills educational groups within the Refuge, and resource CE Scheme/Staff/Housekeeping staff/Refuge staff to facilitate them.
To work in collaboration with other areas of the organisation including the manager, the outreach team, the children’s team, as required etc.
To ensure that the highest standard of professional support is always maintained with women and children, and work with the Team Leader and Refuge Team to achieve this.
To support the management team with community awareness and raise consciousness regarding the issue of Domestic Violence and best practices in combating it.
To assume Team Leader duties, during absences if needed and as assigned to you by the Manager.
To represent the Refuge Team as and when required externally as requested by the Team Leader/Manager e.g., policy fora, other relevant agencies we work with.
To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned from time to time by the Manager/Team Leader as a member of the management team.
To undertake on call duties one week in four as part of the on-call team to support refuge out of hours.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

Previous management experience and a NFQ Level 7 degree (QQI Framework), preferably in Applied Social Studies in Social Care /Social Work/Nursing or equivalent.
Strong knowledge of GDPR and Health and Safety legislation.
Excellent computer skills and experience of using client record management system (CRM) for data collection.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills including recording of data and report writing, development of work plans plus ability to communicate effectively with staff in relation to the work of the organisation.
Experience working in team settings and on own initiative, have strong self- motivation, be reliable and flexible in work practices.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
Be willing to register as a Social Care Worker with CORU during the grandparenting period.
Thorough knowledge of procedures and practices relating to the safeguarding of children and young people, and vulnerable adults.
Ability to manage, support and motivate staff, and to delegate responsibility appropriately.
Be aware and have knowledge of current legislation and key policy documents relevant to domestic abuse and possess an understanding of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence and abuse.
Understanding of and capacity to work in a non-judgemental manner and a commitment to gender equality and human rights of women, children, and young people.
Experience of working in a support service for people with complex needs/Experience of working in other supported residential services.
Experience of crisis management.
Ability to assess the needs and risks to women in crisis situations and act appropriately and professionally, using problem solving processes and supporting staff to do this.
Demonstrable experience of interagency working and joint service provision, working with relevant agencies to advocate on behalf of service users.
Willingness to participate in appropriate training as required and continuous professional development in line with the expectations of the role.

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform that may be required either now or in the future.

Salary: €44,824 based on a 37-hour week, based on MWRSS Salary Scale. This position is full time and funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

Number of Hours: 37 hours 9am to 5.30pm. Remote Working is not available for this role

On Call: One Week in Five (a separate additional payment is paid for this role) this work will form part of your core contract

New Position Probation: All employees are required to undergo a probationary period of 6 months from commencement of duty in that post.

Application Process

We require a completed application form. Closing date is Tuesday the 28th of November 2023. Applications to be sent to paula@dvservicesmeath.ie Interviews are expected to take place the end of the first week in December. It is expected that the new role will begin in January 2024.

MWRSS Team Leader Application Form

Please note any offer of a position is subject to Garda Clearance.

Meath Women’s Housing Association CLG is an Equal Opportunities Employer.