Apprenticeship in Social Care

Location of Post

Locations are within Special Care Services (Dublin, Cork & Limerick) and Tusla Mainstream Children’s Residential Services in various areas of the country. You will be asked on the application form to indicate your regional preference, and panels will be created on a regional basis. There are 6 regions to choose from. The regions are listed below, and state which counties / locations fall within those regions.

Please note the Apprenticeship in Social Care offers will be made in order of merit and in line with organisational need, therefore it may not be possible to facilitate applicants' preferences.

DUBLIN MID LEINSTER REGION

Dublin Southwest / Dublin South City / Kildare South / Kildare North & Dublin West / Longford & Westmeath

SOUTH-EAST REGION

Dublin Southeast / Wicklow / Carlow & Kilkenny / Waterford & South Kilkenny / Wexford

SOUTH-WEST REGION

Kerry & North Cork / South Tipperary & North Cork / Cork East / Cork Northwest / Cork Southwest

MID-WEST REGION

Laois & Offaly / Galway North / North Tipperary & Limerick South and East / Limerick Northwest / Clare & South Galway

WEST NORTH-WEST REGION

Donegal / Sligo & Leitrim & Roscommon / Cavan & Monaghan / Mayo / Louth

DUBLIN NORTH-EAST

Dublin Northwest / Dublin North City / North Dublin / North County Dublin / Meath

Purpose of the Role

This post provides the employee with structured on-the-job learning opportunities as a Social Care Apprentice. The role involves shadowing qualified Social Care Workers and developing core social care competencies in a supported environment. The Apprentice will contribute directly to the delivery of care services while building practical skills. The overall aim is to support the social wellbeing and best interests of the service users within Special Care and Children’s Residential Services.

The Apprentice will also attend academic training and study in UCC/MTU during their Apprenticeship Programme training and be required to pass all academic examinations and meet CORU standards of proficiency during work-integrated learning, and to maintain records of progression and development.

Structure of Programme

Academic Learning

• Generally, the Apprentice in Social Care will complete 2 days per week on site in UCC with 3 days of blended learning.
• The Social Care Apprentice will attend all social care education and training courses in a Higher Education Institute and demonstrate professional standards of proficiency (as set down by CORU) during work-integrated learning blocks on the job, leading to qualification as a CORU qualified social care worker.
• Failure to pass all academic requirements and work-based learning will result in a pause in employment and a change in employment status subject to the employer’s needs and requirements at that time.
• Following the 3-year Programme which leads to a BA in Social Care, the Apprentice will be offered a permanent post as a Social Care Worker in Tusla.

Work Based Learning

• The Social Care Apprentice will work closely with a team of Social Care practitioners in their work environment for approximately blocks of 24 weeks per year.
• The Social Care Apprentice will work closely with the Social Care team ensuring theory to practice when supporting day-to-day care and provide ongoing support to the Social Care team.
• The post-holders will work closely with the local Social Care staff in maintaining high quality documentation and data for children and families in a child protection and welfare setting.
• The Social Care Apprentice will have access to a dedicated mentor in workplace.

Reporting Relationship

The relevant line manager in the region is designated by the senior manager for all matters relating to the work-integrated learning blocks.

The employee’s programme coordinator will act as liaison between the Social Care Learning Programme Consortium, relevant HEI provider (UCC/MTU), and the Employer in terms of apprenticeship, supervision, completion and return of relevant documentation in relation to the Apprenticeship in Social Care.

The apprentice will work under the supervision of a qualified Social Care Worker and be supported by a work-based mentor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

• Support the completion and implementation of care plans such as Children in Care Plans, Child Protection and Welfare Plans, Social Care Work led Safety Plans, Meitheal Support Plans, Single Agency Family Support Plans and ensure appropriate recording of same.
• To promote the rights and responsibilities of each service user within the Service.
• To promote the participation of children and young people in decision making on issues that affect their lives at both individual and collective levels.
• Advocate on behalf of the service user.
• To identify the needs and strengths of Children / Young People / Families / Carers and to work in partnership with them, their families and other practitioners to meet their needs, realise their rights and achieve desired outcomes.
• Promote physical, emotional, social, cultural, ethnic, spiritual and religious welfare of each service user.
• Support the implementation of creative community alternatives to care.
• Liaise with accommodation, welfare, education and training resources to source appropriate service for service users.
• To promote and support the implementation of the Meitheal National Early Intervention Practice Model including undertaking the role of Lead Practitioner.
• Preparation of documentation, appointments, and forms for various Social Care meetings including Garda, Recording of Visits, Family / Network, and other Social Care meetings.
• Participate in conference calls, workshops, events and meetings as required with Social Care Worker and other relevant external and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and Tusla Records Management Policies.
• Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality.
• Effectively co-ordinate responses to enquiries received, the processing of initial receipt of referral calls including standard questions, transferring calls as necessary and/or relevant.
• Management of the relevant diary, meeting requests, associated briefing material, issue of correspondence / circulars from the Social Care Worker, Social Care Team Leader, Deputy Social Care Manager or the Social Care Manager.
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant procedures, practices, and legislation to perform the role effectively and to ensure standards are met.
• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility.
• Ensure that service-users are treated with dignity and respect.
• Attend case conferences, meetings, court, tribunals, and other relevant forums as required and advocate on behalf of service user.
• Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the employer.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Carry out any other tasks as directed by the Social Care Worker, Social Care Team Leader, Deputy Social Care Manager or the Social Care Manager.
• Incorporate Tusla values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.
• Take directions from his / her / their line manager.
• Participate in working within a team centred consistent approach.

Practice Based Duties

• Implement, support, promote and oversee evidence-based processes, including assessment, care planning, and key working / case management appropriate to Service User’s needs, that advance individual progress and quality outcomes.
• Carry out evidence-based interventions, including brief interventions and understand the rationale for conducting interventions.
• Implement pro-social activities in response to service user needs and preference.
• Liaise with relevant statutory and/or voluntary agencies and participate in interdisciplinary work as required, including interagency care planning and case management.
• Contribute to and safeguard professional and organizational reputations in dealing with all external agencies.
• Facilitate group sessions where relevant, psycho-educational workshops, formal and informal gatherings, handovers etc., professionally and ethically and under Tusla policies and procedures and CORU etc.
• Perform as a full team member supporting colleagues, participating in effective team meetings, attending supervision and client case reviews and being open to reasonable requests from the manager to ensure effective working relationships.
• Promote, support, inform and oversee the implementation of policies that support competent, determinable, safe, ethical practices within a culturally sensitive, multidisciplinary, interagency, case managed, clinical work environment.
• Participate in service evaluation and review and ensure all relevant documentation, filing, statistics and paperwork are in line with the aims and standards of the project.
• Operate and maintain the highest professional and personal boundaries appropriate to this post.
• Avail of regular, structured line management supervision.

Education & Training

• To maintain continuous personal development and participate in team-based development, education, supervision (including group / peer supervision), training, and learning.
• To complete all mandatory training on the job.
• To meet CORU standards of proficiency during work-integrated blocks.
• To maintain, in conjunction with their Line Manager, a continuous record of experience and assessment of on-the-job learning, including their reflections of their experience and to make this record available for examination (including external examination).
• To maintain excellent IT skills relevant to the role.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service, for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care, and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and / or Experience

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

Entry Requirements to QQI Level 8 Social Care Qualification:

• 6 recognised subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate, obtaining a minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and minimum Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects. This must include Irish (unless exempt) and English.
• A minimum of 12 months experience working in a Social Care or Social Care related setting.

OR

• Hold a level 5/6 QQI FETAC qualification with Distinctions (i.e. 80% or greater) in 4 modules.
• A minimum of 12 months experience working in a Social Care or Social Care related setting.

OR

• Recognition of Prior Learning. Hold a transcript demonstrating successful completion of 180 ECTS credits of a CORU-approved level 7 programme in Social Care or equivalent.
• A minimum of 12 months experience working in a Social Care or Social Care related setting.

Health

A candidate and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Other Requirements of the Role

• Have access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role including mandatory attendance at University College Cork for completion of academic programme.
• The Apprentice will be liable for expenses incurred in attending College.
• Proficiency in the English language is a requirement.
• Successful candidates must commit to working in Tusla for 5 years post receipt of the Level 8 qualification.

Tenure

The current vacancy available is a 3-year specified purpose contract leading to permanent employment in Tusla.

Failure to pass all programme elements, practical and academic, will result in a pause in employment and a change in employment status subject to the employer’s needs and requirements at that time.

There is a requirement that the apprentice, successfully completing their studies and following registration with CORU, will be required to remain with Tusla Children’s Residential and Special Care Services for a period of five years post qualification.

Please note that the Apprenticeship in Social Care is 36 months in duration from the start date on the contract of successful candidates. The successful candidates are likely to begin in August 2026.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the duration of the Programme is a single point of €31,618.

Working Week

The standard working week applied to the whole time equivalent of this post is 39 hours.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is 26 days per annum.