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Applications are invited for the above full-time temporary position.
The Organisation:
Stewarts Care is a long-established voluntary organisation providing comprehensive community-based services to people with intellectual disabilities.
We support people across a wide range of services within residential settings, day services, supported independent living, job advocacy and vocational training.
Stewarts Care is the lead agency for two interdisciplinary CDNT teams (CDNT5 and 6) in line with Progressing Children’s Disability Services. These teams are based in Stewarts Care, Palmerstown and Rossecourt, Lucan. This vacancy is for CDNT 5 Rossecourt Lucan, Co Dublin.
Purpose of the Post:
The purpose of this post is to provide specialist expertise around behaviours of concern to children within the CDNT. The post holder will work a key member of a multi-disciplinary team providing a family centred and quality service.
Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:
• Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst preferred but not essential with two years’ experience in a similar role.
• Hold a higher qualification in the area of behavioural assessment and intervention e.g., MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability (Challenging Behaviour).
• Evidence of participation in continued professional development.
• Holds a full clean driving license and access to a car.
• Demonstrates competence and capability of undertaking the duties attached to the office.
• Experience of working with children with disabilities is desirable.
• Undergraduate Qualification in Psychology is desirable.
Salary and qualifications are in accordance with Department of Health consolidated pay scales. Salary Scale Social Care Leader €51,666-€60,336 per annum.
Detailed job description is available on our careers page here https://www.stewartscare.ie/about/careers. Campaign Ref: SC073
Applications should include a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.
Email: recruitment@stewartscare.ie or by Post: HR Dept., Stewarts Care, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, D20 XT80.
Closing date: 26th May 2023
Applications will be short-listed based on the information supplied.
A panel may be formed, from which future permanent and temporary positions may be filled.
Stewarts Care is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Job Description Behaviour Specialist, CDNT5
Role
Behaviour Specialist
Duration of Post
12-month Temporary Contract; Full Time Position.
Location
Children’s Disability Network Team: CDNT 5, Rossecourt
Reporting Relationship
Children’s Disability Network Manager CDNM
Job Purpose
The purpose of this post is to provide specialist expertise around behaviours of concern to children within the CDNT. The post holder will work a key member of a multi-disciplinary team providing a family centred and quality service.
Scope of the Role
To provide expertise around positive behaviour support and work as part of the CDNT.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• To provide specialist knowledge, expertise and guidance for service users who display behaviours of concern, require support in achieving their goals and would benefit from behavioural supports in improving their quality of life.
• To work within the progressing disabilities model, and in alignment with policies and guidelines for the service (see HSE website)
• To conduct Functional Behavioural Assessments to identify the required supports for the service user and their carers/ family.
• To develop and implement function based Positive Behaviour Support interventions to positively impact upon the lives of service users.
• To monitor service users, evaluate outcomes and adjust care practise and support interventions to ensure optimum service co- ordination and delivery of care.
• To evaluate and develop professional scope of practice through ongoing evaluation and reflection on the role.
• To attend multidisciplinary meetings and work with the multidisciplinary clinical team to meet the needs of service users. This includes interagency communication and collaboration.
• Effectively manage their time and caseload to meet changing and developing service needs.
• Contribute where appropriate to the development and review of policies and procedures, which comply with best practice.
• Provide training and education to the team around behaviours of concern.
• Attend mandatory training and complete other duties as deemed necessary by the CDNM to ensure welfare, safety, and security of all service users.
• Support in the development of a strategic plan for the Behaviour Support Service
• Participate in the guidance for restrictive practice, with a clear commitment to eliminating restrictive practices and taking the least restrictive alternative.
Clinical Focus
• The Behaviour Specialist must have strong client focus which subscribes to the overall purpose, functions and professional ethics and standards of the progressing disabilities model.
• The role will require direct intervention (assessment, planning and delivery of behaviour support) and indirect intervention (Through consultation and training that influence care).
• Ensure that all Behaviour Support Plans are of the highest quality, are compliant with all regulatory standards and are evidence based.
• Ensure that skills, knowledge, and expertise of the Behaviour Support service remains current.
• Promote and support a comprehensive understanding and use of effective Positive Behaviour Support principles and effective differential reinforcement procedures across the service.
• Stay current with the latest Behaviour Analytical research and ensuring that Behaviour Analytical principles and techniques are being applied appropriately throughout the service.
• To be a key support to the team, providing expert knowledge and guidance on behaviour support approaches
Client Advocacy
• The Behaviour Specialist role involves communication, negotiation and representation of the service user and family’s needs, values and decisions in collaboration with other health care workers and community resource providers.
• Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to service users participating in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of care provisions.
• Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the service user and carers. Work in compliance with Freedom of Information (FOI) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
• Proactively challenge any interaction which fails to deliver a quality service to service users.
Audit & Research
• The Behaviour Specialist must audit and participate in developing appropriate data bases of clinical information to ensure adequate planning and utilisation of resources in support of children with behaviours of concern.
• Maintain awareness within the speciality of current developments in behaviours of concern.
• The Behaviour Specialist will attend internal and external training as appropriate
and collaborate and network with other Specialists and groups working in positive behaviour support.
• Ensure that accurate documentation and record keeping is maintained.
Collaborative design of behaviour support
• Designing individual behaviour support plans for service users. This includes assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of support for the child with behaviours of concern.
• Collaborate with the clinical team and family to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care that addresses the supports required for the person.
• Work as part of the CDNT and between agencies, to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach to care for persons who display behaviours of concern.
• Generate and contribute to the development of clinical standards and guidelines and support implementation of current practice and new initiatives.
• Provide specialist knowledge, expertise, and care in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
Risk Management
• Ensuring clinical and environmental risks are discussed and managed in consultation with the CDNM, the CDNT and the Risk Manager.
• Attend risk management training, particularly all training related to child protection. Comply with the Children First Act and guidance and Stewarts Care and HSE Child Protection and Welfare Policies
Qualifications& Experience
Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:
• Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst preferred but not essential with two years’ experience in a similar role.
• Hold a higher qualification in the area of behavioural assessment and intervention e.g., MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability (Challenging Behaviour).
• Evidence of participation in continued professional development.
• Holds a full clean driving license and access to a car.
• Demonstrates competence and capability of undertaking the duties attached to the office.
• Experience of working with children with disabilities is desirable.
• Undergraduate Qualification in Psychology is desirable.
Competencies,
Skills and Knowledge
Communication and Relationship Building
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Understands other stakeholders’ agenda’s and needs and uses this to build mutually beneficial relationships.
• Has experience of building positive relationships across all Stakeholder Groups, both internal and external.
• Has effectively managed difficult relationships or issues with stakeholder groups.
• Has the ability to communicate constructively in situations where there is conflict.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with family members and to promote communication aligned with the Service Users wishes and preferences.
Leadership
• Resilience, positive attitude, and openness to change.
• Proven ability to coach staff and support them in the delivery of high-quality standards of work in their area.
• Develops talent among the team and engages knowledge sharing.
• Strong focus on achieving high standards of excellence.
• Takes the lead on standards setting and implementation.
• Leads staff through changes in a positive way.
• Ability to manage conflict and devise solutions to resolve it.
• Displays an ability to delegate and set clear expectations to staff.
• Capacity to manage own workload effectively across a number of locations.
Evaluating Information, Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively deal with a wide range of information sources, investigating all relevant issues.
• Has an ability to proactively identify areas for improvement and implement solutions in a timely and effective manner.
• The capacity to anticipate problems/challenges and to recognise when to involve other parties at the appropriate time and level.
• Proven ability to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale and stand by these initiatives in the resolution of complex issues.
• Continuously monitors and improves the quality of the service, through research, goal setting, observation, and audit.
• Has an ability to proactively identify areas for improvement and implement solutions in a timely and effective manner.
Planning and Organising
• Contributes to the development of strategy for the service.
• Takes account of organisational priorities to ensure that operational and strategic plans are being implemented and achieved.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities in a busy environment.
• Ensures all work is delivered to a high standard and in an efficient manner.
• Has the ability to use resources effectively, challenging processes to improve efficiencies where appropriate.
• Effectively manages and prioritises workload in a reactive environment.
• Adopts a proactive forward planning approach to service delivery in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties. You may be required to perform any other such duties as may be assigned by your manager or person nominated by them. As the duties and responsibilities of any post in Stewarts are likely to change with on-going needs of services users, staff are expected to have high level of flexibility and a willingness to develop new approaches to their work.
Remuneration
Salary and qualifications are in accordance with Department of Health consolidated pay scales. Salary Scale Social Care Leader €51,666-€60,336 per annum.
Annual leave
To be agreed at time of offer depending on experience
Working week
The hours allocated to this post are 35 hours per week exclusive of lunch breaks.
The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the CDNM, or a person nominated by them and in accordance with the needs of the service.
Probation
All employees will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, with an extension if required to 9 months. This probationary period applies to all employees irrespective of their role or type of role.
Garda Vetting
Stewarts Care will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the organisation until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the organisation is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to the service users and employees.
References
Stewarts Care will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions, or any other organisation with which the candidate has been associated. Stewarts Care reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.