Practice Manager, Guardian ad Litem Service
Dublin or Cork City, hybrid and with travel
General Information
Why work at Barnardos?
At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience.
- Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
- Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
- Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work – life balance policy
- Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
- Employee pension scheme with employer contribution
- Company sick leave scheme
- An opportunity to help improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families by working in a trauma informed way
- Access to regular trauma informed support and supervision
- Ongoing support and access to training and professional development opportunities
- An opportunity to be part of a supportive team
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program for employees and their immediate family members
- Regular Breath, Body and mind sessions to support staff well-being
Barnardos has been providing Guardian ad Litem (GAL) services in Ireland for more than 25 years.
A Guardian ad Litem allows children to have their voices heard in certain types of legal proceedings, and makes an independent assessment of the child’s interests. Barnardos runs the state’s longest established service, and we are leaders in setting high practice standards.
In 2023, we supported 33 contracted practitioners in their work with 788 children from 483 families across the country.
In 2018, Barnardos was informed of the State’s intention to establish a national Guardian ad Litem service under the auspices of the Department of Children.
Since then, Barnardos has continued to deliver the Guardian ad Litem service during a time of uncertainty and change, as the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) progresses the establishment of the National GAL Service.
A key part of the Practice Manager’s role will be contributing to the management of the service in a period of continued uncertainly and change, and to support the transition of the work to the Department. The timeline for this has been and continues to be repeatedly delayed. Current indications suggest a minimum 2-year timeframe for it to occur.
Job Description
Post: Practice Manager
Location: Christchurch Square, Dublin City or Meade Street, Cork City, hybrid, national travel required
Responsible to: Assistant Director- Guardian ad Litem Service
Works with: Guardians ad Litem Team and other Internal and external stakeholders
Job purpose
As a member of the Guardian ad Litem Management team, the requirement is to assist with delivery of Guardian ad Litem services to children with a primary focus on the supervision and training of GALs; and the revision, implementation and review of practice documentation and standards. Along with assisting with preparation for a smooth GAL service transition in the context of the National Children’s Office review.
Core Job Requirements
Management
- To support the existing Guardian ad Litem provision, including the Quality Assurance of the existing service and recruitment of a panel of suitable contractor Guardians ad Litem.
- To contribute to GAL team management including appointments, professional support, team development, practice review and training. Supervise a team of GAL contractors.
- Reviewing and developing GAL practice standards, procedures and other resources as required.
- Ensuring that Gal Service is delivered to high quality standards, including management of complaint procedure.
- Recruitment and selection of staff to service.
- Promotion and development of service in the context of the National Children’s Office review.
- Promotion of service profile including CPD and other events to raise awareness about specific issues and to promote service.
- Reviewing and maintaining efficient financial and administrative systems, including collation of appropriate statistics.
- Ensuring that the service complies with relevant legislation governing practice, including FOI and Data Protection
Supervision
- Overall responsibility for the system of supervision and practice review of
- Supervision of a cohort of
- Practice review of
Development of the Service
With a view to future reform:
- Lead the ongoing review and development of Guardian ad Litem practice standards, policies and procedures, including practice reviews and appraisals as appropriate.
- Support the change management associated with the implementation of existing and new practice standards, policies and procedures.
- Liaise with key sectoral stakeholders in the context of service provision and reform.
- Ensure that Guardian ad Litem attached to the Barnardos panel are kept informed of developments in the sector.
Training and continuing professional development
- Oversee and deliver an induction programme for new
- Revise and implement a training and CPD framework for all
Stakeholder feedback – comments, compliments and complaints.
- Review, implementation and management of service user and stakeholder feedback framework
Organisational
- To contribute to the development of models, strategies, practice and procedures in Barnardos work with children and families.
- To work in a respectful, coordinated and integrated way with other statutory and voluntary agencies, and with communities, and create positive relationships in order to meet the needs of children and families.
- To contribute to an organisational culture where the GAL services and functions are integrated, valued and respected.
- To lead and support internal and external evaluation processes.
- To manage in a manner which is cohesive and integrated with the rest of the organisation, ensuring clear and effective internal communications, and to promote and support opportunities or linkages within the organisation.
- To contribute to the financial planning of the GAL service.
Operational
Work as part of management team to ensure:
- That all Barnardos policies and practice approaches are fully operational throughout your area of responsibility.
- Effective management of budgetary responsibilities for the areas under your control.
- That all records and files are maintained appropriately are accessible, and that service users’ access is promoted as appropriate.
- Adherence to relevant childcare and other legislation and to related national statutory guidelines.
- Appropriate facilitation and consultation with service users and to ensure that they have ongoing opportunities to offer feedback in relation to our work with them.
- Such other duties, from time to time, as may be required.
Requirements of all Barnardos staff
- Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations.
- To participate in regular supervision with your line manager.
- To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole.
- To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner.
- To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
- Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
- Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
- Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
- To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer.
- To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies.
- To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate
- To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time
- To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.
Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
- Problem-solving: Can recognise problems, interpret situations and information, offer solutions, make informed decisions, solve problems and resolve conflict effectively.
- Interpersonal skills: Communicates Has good listening skills and hears others views and concerns. Is able to manage high conflict situations effectively. Is aware of self and others, emotionally intelligent and displays appropriate use of their authority.
- Managing change: Is open to change, aware of the impact of change on themselves and others, demonstrates leadership in their approach to change and creates an open, learning environment which supports team members with the change.
- Relationships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships with their team and with children and families, other agencies, Promotes a culture of involvement and consultation within the team.
- Managing performance: Motivates and encourages their team to provide quality services by being clear about roles and expected standards and supporting team members to achieve these Responds proactively to performance issues.
Core Skills
The successful candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:
- Child focused quality practice: Ensures child-focused quality services are provided by maintaining high standards of practice with specific regard to child protection, active case management, recording and report preparation, supervision, communication and consultation with children and families, evidence-based practice.
- Project management: Is clear about the objectives and plans, organises and prioritises Has the ability to quickly adapt, prioritise and re-organise resources to meet unexpected and changing demands.
- The capacity to work alone and to manage own time effectively and
- The ability to present information in a clear and concise way both in writing and in person.
- The ability to negotiate constructively at a senior level both inside and outside the agency.
- The ability to specify services and prepare tender documents.
- The ability to seek consultation/advice when required.
- The ability to work in manner which promotes equality and respects diversity.
- The ability to communicate clearly and contribute to the sharing of information in line with the Communications Policy.
Knowledge & Experience
- At least five years post graduate experience of working with children and families within child protection and child welfare systems including experience in the statutory child care field.
- Experience of management and supervision.
- Experience as a Guardian ad Litem is desirable
- Clear understanding of current policies and legislation affecting children (e.g. Childcare Act, Children’s Act, Children First, UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, National Children’s Strategy, Agenda for Children’s Services).
- Knowledge of High Court, District Court, Family and Child Care Law, legal systems and working methods.
- Knowledge of TUSLA systems and working methods.
- Experience of working co-operatively with other agencies.
- Experience of preparing reports for courts and other public bodies.
- Up to date knowledge of current research in all areas of Social Work, Child Care, and Child Welfare and commitment to continued professional development.
- Experience of designing and delivering training and of practice development.
- Experience of functioning as a strong team member sharing expertise, experience and co-working.
- Experience of management of at least Team Leader/Principal Social Work level is highly desirable.
Qualification
- Social Work -social work applicants must have a NQSW or equivalent and be registered with CORU
or
- Psychology- psychology applicants must have a recognised post-graduate qualification or equivalent (and registered with an appropriate professional body).
Other Information
- This role requires the post-holder to travel regionally and nationally on a regular basis and have a full driving licence access to the use of a suitably insured vehicle.
Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all
Application Procedure
Download your application form
Shortlisting will apply (please note, CVs are not accepted on their own, candidates must complete and submit our application form through Barnardos website).
Candidates who are moved to the 2nd stage of our Recruitment process are required to complete a medical questionnaire and the E-Vetting process. References will also be taken up at this stage.
Vacancy Details
LOCATION
Dublin or Cork City, hybrid and with travel
Employment Type
Fulltime (37 hours per week) and Specific Purpose Contract
Salary
€61,448 - €76,808 DOE
Contact Person
Miriam Lyne on 021-431 0591
Closing Date
Interview Date
02nd September (Dublin) or 05th September (Cork)