Family Support Practitioner

On behalf of our client in the public health sector, we are now recruiting for a Family Support Practitioner for a full time position in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Remuneration is based on the relevant salary scale for this position and the post holder will require access to appropriate transport as there may be travel involved.

The main duties of the post are as follows. This list is not exhaustive:

• Assist families in maintaining the safe care of their children in a home setting.
• Manage a caseload assigned by the line manager, working with families of varying support needs.
• Adapt to new service models and deliver intervention programs as required.
• Work flexibly with families, adjusting plans and interventions to meet their changing needs.
• Enhance positive parenting skills through individual or group work on childcare, budgeting, home management, and health.
• Liaise with families on health, emotional, and parenting issues, reporting concerns when appropriate.
• Assist in linking families with local services and encourage their participation.
• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Participate in team meetings, family support planning, child protection conferences, and other relevant meetings.
• Act as a lead practitioner in the Meitheal process and participate in local Child & Family Support Networks.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in line with national guidelines and service user confidentiality.
• Contribute to service evaluation and role development in collaboration with the line manager.
• Engage in personal and professional development through training and development opportunities.
• Comply with health and safety regulations and contribute to standards, including the National Standards for Child Protection and Care.

The core skills and competencies required are:

• Professional Knowledge: Understanding of strategies, child protection processes, and the impact of poverty and disadvantage on parenting and communities.
• Child Development: Knowledge of children’s holistic developmental needs, children’s rights, and community-based family support.
• Evidence-based Practice: Familiarity with evidence-informed, human rights-based, and outcomes-focused approaches to child and family services.
• Service Delivery: Commitment to providing a child-centered, safe, and quality service in line with Quality Assurance Framework.
• Decision-making: Ability to evaluate information, make effective decisions, and solve problems related to service user care.
• Resource Management: Capacity to plan, manage, and prioritize workloads and resources efficiently in a busy environment.
• Teamwork: Strong team collaboration skills, conflict resolution, and the ability to empower individuals with differing perspectives.
• Communication: Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including verbal, written, and collaboration with families and colleagues.
• Adaptability: Flexibility, openness to change, and the ability to innovate in service improvement.
• Continuous Development: Commitment to ongoing professional development and willingness to enhance IT skills relevant to the role.

The requirements of the role are as follows:

• Certification for a relevant qualification at a minimum of level 6 on the NFQ framework (or equivalent) in the areas of family support, social care, child care, education, health promotion etc.
• Access to appropriate transport as there may be travel involved.