Day Activity Facilitator

Remuneration

The salary scale for the post is: (as at 01/02/2026)

35,932 €38,098 €38,902 €40,071 €41,088 €41,968 €43,235 €44,549 €45,912 €47,323 €48,785 €50,300 €51,887

Location of Post

Corlann Limerick

There will be a supplementary panel formed for all Day Activity Facilitator posts within Corlann Limerick from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled.

Details of the Service

Corlann provide a variety of services and supports to over 6,500 people with an intellectual disability or autism, and their families, throughout Counties Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Roscommon, Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford.

The supports, which include residential, respite, day, host families, home based, and multidisciplinary, are provided by nearly 6,000 staff with a variety of professional backgrounds and experience, and who are motivated in their work by the Ethos, Vision and Values of Corlann.

We work in partnership with local communities, state agencies and voluntary organisations to initiate and develop increasingly inclusive opportunities, for and with, the people who use Corlann services. Corlann in Ireland is a learning organisation whose responses are based on best practice, and in full recognition of the right of each person to self-determine their life goals and wishes.

Reporting Relationship

The post holder will report to the relevant Senior Instructor.

Purpose of the Post

The person appointed will be part of a team who will work intensively with individuals to discover what will constitute a good life for the individual and to establish what supports the individual will need to achieve their goals. In order to do this there is a requirement that the post holder will work in partnership with the individual’s family and other important people in the individual’s life. A high degree of flexibility is required as the timing and location of the supports provided will be dictated by the individual’s plan.

You will work as a member of a team and will participate in the development and implementation of appropriate programmes suitable to the individual needs and abilities of people supported by the services. The prime consideration at all times must be for the welfare and wellbeing of the service user. This position requires a high degree of professionalism. You must have the ability to work with people who have a learning disability and must believe that that person has the right to live and participate in the community equally with other people.

The position requires competence in conflict resolution and the ability to understand and empower people with sometimes quite divergent points of view.

Confidentiality

In the course of the employment the post holder may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of individuals supported and/or staff, or other health service business. Such records and information are strictly confidential and unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning individuals supported, staff, or other health service business be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

The post holder will be required to take an active part in ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Service reflect the ethos and vision of the Corlann Limerick and that all co-workers are meeting the needs of the people who use services therein.

The person appointed should have the ability to participate proactively as a member of a team and contribute positively to the ongoing development of effective teamwork.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Advocacy & Rights

·        Respect each individual supported as an equal citizen

·        Uphold and respect the human, legal and constitutional rights of individuals supported by the Services, recognising their individuality and equality, and empowering them to grow, thereby achieving the highest possible level of personal autonomy

·        Facilitate, encourage and develop the choice and decision making skills of the individuals supported

·        Facilitate, encourage and develop the self-advocacy skills of and opportunities for involvement in advocacy for the individuals supported

Support to the individual

·        Inquire/ explore with the individual and their family a vision for a good, full, inclusive life, a vision with an appropriate sense of possibility and an appropriate scale of ambition.

·        Working collaboratively with the individual and their family develop a plan for the achievement of the vision.

·        Working collaboratively with the individual and their family support the individual in the implementation of this plan

·        In the context of this plan support the individual to develop their skills in the areas of

Ø  Occupation and leisure activities

Ø  Communication

Ø  Independent living

Ø  Social Integration and the use of community facilities

Ø  Personal Care

Ø  Personal Development

·        Seek out opportunities for the individual to participate in social, work or training activities of their choice which are in socially inclusive settings

·        Under the direction of the multidisciplinary team implement behaviour support plans that are put in place and adhered to

·        Foster, encourage and develop the self help and social skills of the individual so as to achieve the highest possible degree of personal autonomy

·        Identify risks inherent in the provision of support to the individual, assess and document appropriately

Management and Leadership

·        In accordance with Health Act 2007 and HIQA Regulations and Standards, ensure the legislation requirements are adhered to by continuous monitoring, inspection and audit of the designated centres

·        Be responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of individuals supported

·        Be responsible for the safe use and care of equipment and report faulty equipment etc., at it arises

·        Be familiar with and ensure that policies, procedures and codes of practice of the Services are adhered to

·        Ensure that all records in relation to individuals supported are up to date, correctly filed and managed as per the service’s records management system

·        Utilise efficiently the transport services available to the service area and advise the appropriate staff on transport needs

Money and Budgets

·        Ensure that petty cash used and any personal monies of individuals supported are properly accounted for

·        Ensure that goods and services received are prudently used for purposes intended, and that all such goods and services are properly accounted for.

·        Assist the Area Manager/ Senior Instructor in the preparation and monitoring of budgets

Communication

·        Attend and participate fully in regular staff meetings where all aspects of the support service are discussed with a view to maintaining high standards, open communication among staff and good levels of staff morale.

·        Co-operate and develop effective working relationships with:

Ø  Staff involved in the provision of both residential and day services or supports

Ø  Community bodies

Ø  Other agencies involved in the provision of services to the community

·        Operate effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in promoting the best interests of the individuals supported

·        Develop and maintain good relationships with the families of individuals supported and encourage their involvement in the ongoing development of the person

·        Organise, attend and participate fully in meetings as required e.g. Person Centred Planning meetings, Service reviews, team meetings.

·        Develop and participate fully with the implementation of a team based performance management approach to achieving the goals of the Services’ strategic plan.

Training and Development

·        Be informed of current developments in services for people with intellectual disabilities e.g. Person Centred Planning, Personal Outcome Measures, Human Rights and Citizenship, “New Directions- Review of day services and implementation Plan 2012-2016”, Supported Self Directed Living

·        Attend and contribute appropriately at lectures, courses and meetings as required and share information and knowledge gained with colleagues

·        Be responsible for identifying personal training and development needs and communicating them to the line manager

·        Attend mandatory training courses and achieve required standard

Health and Safety

·        Be conscious of health and safety matters in the work place and in particular to comply with employees’ obligations as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and to ensure that the procedures set out in the Safety Statement are implemented at all times.

·        Be involved in carrying out regular safety audits and fire drills as required.

·        Be conversant with existing fire regulations and emergency procedures and participate in the implementation of same and to make individuals support aware, in so far as possible, of Fire Drill procedures in areas where they are being supported.

·        The person appointed will be expected to participate in the cleaning and maintenance of the support base and to involve the individuals supported in this task.

·        Report accidents/irregularities or other matters of concern to the Senior Instructor or in her/his absence to the Area Manager or such person as the Employing Authority may designate

Flexibility

Employees are expected to have a high level of flexibility and a willingness and ability to develop new approaches to their work. Duties and responsibilities of any post in the Services are likely to change with the ongoing needs and developments of the Services. Employees will therefore be required to carry out such other duties appropriate to their employment as may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

You are required to establish and maintain relationships with the individuals who use our services that are based on respect and equality and that promote their independence.

The above Job Specification 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

(a)  Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

Have a third level qualification relevant to the provision of service to individuals with intellectual disabilities or at a minimum a QQI Level 5 Major Award in community development, health or education

And

Hold a Full Manual Driving License which qualifies you to drive manual transmission vehicles on Irish Roads

And

Have a working knowledge of HSE’s New Directions Standards for Day

Services & the Person Centred planning process

Health

A candidate for 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.

Post specific requirements

Essential:

·        6 months relevant experience

·        Experience of completing effective reports

·        Experience of team approach to service provision

·        Experience of working with adults with varying degrees of intellectual disabilities

·        Manual Handling

·        Knowledge of needs of adults with intellectual disabilities

·        Understanding of Health & Safety

·        Knowledge of the Ethos of Corlann

·        Good understanding of socialisation and recreational needs of people who use the services.

·        Knowledge of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team

·        Knowledge of how to support people who use services to achieve personal outcomes

·        Knowledge of HIQA Regulations and responsibilities.

·        Knowledge of current trends in intellectual disabilities services e.g. Rights Based approach to Service Provision

Desirable:

·        First Aid

·        ECDL or equivalent proficiency

·        Challenging Behaviour Course

·        Experience of working with individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

·        Experience of supporting people with behaviours that challenge

·        Experience of working as a “key worker”

·        Experience of working with people with high support needs

·        Personal Outcomes Measures

·        Team Based Performance Management

·        Knowledge of Corlann

·        Crisis Intervention Techniques

·        Advocacy

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

·        Sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role

·        An understanding of disability services within Ireland

·        Sufficient awareness of policy, legislative and professional requirements to ensure an appropriate standard of service delivery

·        The capacity to plan and manage resources in an effective and resourceful manner

·        The ability to manage self in a busy working environment including the ability to prioritise workloads

·        Ability to manage own caseload independently

·        Flexibility and openness to change

·        Effective team skills

·        The ability to resolve conflict and empower people with sometimes quite divergent points of view

·        A commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service

·        Initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement

·        The ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions in a timely manner

·        Effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills

·        The ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect

·        Demonstrate evidence of computer skills relevant to the role and a willingness to further develop IT skills where required

·        Commitment to continuing professional development

·        Demonstrate good communication skills especially with regard to presentation skills and delivering complex information in understandable terms

Campaign Specific

Selection Process

Ranking / Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.