Why work at Barnardos?

Are you a purpose driven individual who is passionate about making a difference and helping some of society’s most vulnerable children? At Barnardos, we pride ourselves on delivering impactful services that make a difference to the lives of children and families across Ireland. 

We believe that childhood lasts a lifetime. As trauma informed specialists our core purpose is to provide the necessary support for children to overcome childhood adversity, embedding a trauma informed ethos and practice into every service we provide. 

What we can offer you?

As a Safety Networks & Family Welfare Conference (FWC) Co-ordinator we appreciate the value of your time when providing essential support to our services, that’s why we have the necessary support structures and network in place that will allow you to make a real impact on the lives of children across Ireland. We also offer the following:

• Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
• Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
• Employee pension scheme with employer contribution/ Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Access to regular trauma informed support, supervision, training and many other professional development opportunities
• Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
• Access to the Employee Assistance/Wellbeing programme for employees and their immediate family members 

What’s the role and service?

In your role as a Safety Networks & Family Welfare Conference (FWC) Co-ordinator, you will Facilitate, arrange, and deliver Safety Networks using the Tusla Signs of Safety Model and when required Family Welfare Conferences in keeping with the principles outlined in the Barnardos/Tusla Child and Family Agency Service Level Agreement

What will my day to day look like?

• Liaising with Tusla Social Work Department regularly to represent the Safety Networks and FWC service, ensuring that processes support the smooth engagement with referrals and co-ordination of effective Safety Networks. Identify and document to line manager any unmet needs of children/young people/carers/families within the service and to participate in the advocacy work of the agency.
• Responding appropriately and within timeframes agreed with Tusla, to referrals to the service agreed by the Project Leader within the terms of the Service Level Agreement with Tusla Child and Family Agency. Attending Exchange Meetings with Social worker to get background details and to plan for the Safety Network Meetings.
• Identifying, with the child/young person, potential family members and significant others who should attend the Safety Network meetings (or FWC) and then negotiating their attendance and involvement.
• Meeting with and preparing all Safety Network members in advance of the initial meeting, understanding their potential reluctance to engage and mistrust of the agencies involved, and employing strategies to win their engagement with the process. Ensuring the effective functioning of the meeting i.e. particularly Safety Network Members understanding of issues and concerns from Tusla, and decision-making.
• Locating suitable venues for the Safety Network meeting / Family Welfare Conference. Making suitable arrangements to allow meetings to be held at a time and place which is most suitable and acceptable to the members / family group. Facilitate Safety network and review meetings between Social Worker and Safety Network members using the Signs of Safety model, recognising and adapting for the capacity of those involved, the complexity of the subject matter and the heightened emotional context of the meeting.
• Being available as required during the meeting to provide information, advice or clarification. Facilitate the final preparation of a realistic safety plan / family plan based on decisions made at Safety Network /FWC meetings. Arranging for circulation of the plan and provide copies of agreements to all participants and other agreed stakeholders in accordance with project practice standards and in a timely manner. Ensuring at all times that Safety Network Members are aware of Tusla’s ‘Bottom Line’ for the Safety Network.
• Co-ordinator will hold the role of DLP for any Child Protection and welfare concerns that may arise, acting appropriately in line with Barnardos Child protection Policy with respect to Child Protection issues and in consultation with your Project Leader.
• Identifying and addressing issues of race, culture, gender and language within the process and respond positively and creatively to any particular needs the families may identify.
• Participate as member of the Safety Networks and FWC Team which is located in Clonmel, and attend appropriate meetings. Attending supervision, group supervision, training, team days, and staff development days etc. Participating in any research and evaluation that is required of the project.
• Be involved in the promotion of Safety Networks and Family Welfare Conferences as a positive way of working with children and families across both the voluntary and statutory sectors. 

What experience do I need? 

Essential:

• Three years post qualification experience in a child care, youth work, social work or related setting.
• Experience of direct work with children and of working with families.
• Relevant experience of facilitating meetings.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with other agencies.

Skills

Essential:

• Capacity to deal with complex and high-risk cases, assessing and managing risk appropriately during home visits and meetings.
• Good judgement and decision-making skills, and ability to make appropriate decisions when consultation is not possible with the line Manager.
• Ability to work in partnership with families and advocate with confidence with other agencies.
• Ability to de-escalate meetings and conversations where participants are experiencing heightened emotions and acting in an unregulated fashion.
• Creativity in working with families and in responding to their needs.
• Ability to mediate, negotiate and manage conflict within families and organisations.
• Understanding of and commitment to team work.
• Ability to manage workload and to achieve targets within agreed timescales.
• Ability to work in a complex environment on own initiative.
• Ability to communicate clearly and contribute to the sharing of information in line with the Communications Policy.

Desirable:

• Basic skills in information technology.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to children e.g. Children Act 2001.
• Knowledge of Signs of Safety model, and the Family Welfare Conference Approach for family functioning and decision making.
• Knowledge of Child Protection Procedures and their application.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the structure and functioning of services to children and families

Other Requirements

Hours:

This post is 18.5 hours per week.

All posts will also require working outside of normal working times to facilitate network meetings from time to time.

Qualifications

Essential:

Relevant/recognised qualification (or equivalent), minimum of Level 7 on the NFQ in social care, social work, psychology, child care or a related discipline.

Full current driving licence and access to a car is essential.

Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

You can download the full Job Description for this role, by clicking on the button below. 

To apply, please complete the personal and professional information sections below, and upload your CV. Please specify the number of hours per week for each of your roles that you have detailed on your CV. 

Click ‘Apply Now’ today.