Professionally Qualified Social Worker

The Housing Delivery, Infrastructure Provision & Land Activation Section of Clare County Council provides a generic social work service to Clare County Council tenants and prospective tenants, including members of the Traveller Community, homeless persons, ethnic minorities, the elderly and other families, and individuals who may require such a service.

Social work within the Housing Services Section is directed towards enhancing the personal and social functioning of an individual, family or group. Work in this area involves, amongst other things, assessment/reporting, advocacy, counselling, mediation, and other related therapeutic services.

A Professionally Qualified Social Worker is obliged to recognise the inherent dignity of every person irrespective of individual differences, carrying out their work with commitment, integrity, and skill. They will generally work under the direction and management of an Administrative Officer / Senior Executive Officer / Director of Services or analogous grade and will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Social Directorate to deliver a range of front-line services.

The ideal candidate must therefore be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of commitment to delivering quality public services and willing to take on a challenge.

The ideal candidate for the position shall:

Interpersonal and communication skills Engaging with a wide range of people and maintaining good working relationships Working collaboratively with service users, work colleagues and other professionals Problem solving & Decision making Project management Stakeholder networking and engagement Administration and report writing Dealing effectively with conflicting demands Working under pressure to tight deadlines Leading and co-ordinating (external) agencies Engaging and networking with stakeholders including but not limited to HSE, Tusla, An Garda Siochána, Irish Prison Service, Probation Services, Irish Traveller Movement, etc. Acting on own initiative Maintaining confidentiality Operation of ICT systems and standard office software packages Health & Safety Management

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.

The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:

such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local Government Acts 2001 and 2014, is Chief Executive, and to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority, or by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Executive or such other employee as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an executive, administrative or management nature as may be required by any local authority or body herein before mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body.

The post holder will, if required, act for an employee of a higher level. The post holder may be required to work outside his/her normal job description from time to time.

The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require:

The provision of Social Work and welfare services to housing applicants & housing tenants with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups including members of the Traveller Community and the homeless.

The role is to support clients of Housing in attaining and sustaining tenancies with strong emphasis on inter-agency working to support the Housing client.

Engage with persons referred for Social Worker intervention/support and arrange for engagement with (external) agencies as determined.

Participate actively in the work of Clare County Council Homeless Action team.

Undertake needs assessments for housing applicants and housing tenants, including members of the Traveller Community and homeless, seeking accommodation supports.

Make recommendations on allocations of social housing (include AHB referrals) with particular emphasis on the accommodation of Travellers and homeless persons.

Provide support to marginalised groups, in particular Travellers and homeless persons, to access appropriate accommodation including private rented accommodation.

In line with professional social worker standards, maintain appropriate records and generate reports on clients and other projects as required.

Provide support and assistance to the Estate Management team where the estate management/anti-social behaviour issues are determined to require social worker intervention and to work with the client/tenant to address the issues arising including referral to external agencies.

Liaise with agencies (including but not limited to the HSE, Tusla, Probation service, Irish Prison Services, An Garda Siochána, etc.) to support the needs of housing clients, including members of the Traveller Community and homeless, and attend inter-agency meetings and case conferences as required.

Undertake the duties of the Designation Liaison Person as per Clare County Councils Child Protection Policy and 2015 Children First Act. Ensure best practice in terms of child safeguarding within Council activities.

Represent Clare County Council on the Local Traveller Consultative Committee and the Housing and Disability Steering Group and attend meetings of the Housing SPC/any other meetings, as requested by line management.

Assist housing customers particularly the marginalised and vulnerable to engage with other sections of the local authority or Government Departments from which they may need assistance or advice.

Advise and support housing customers particularly the marginalised and vulnerable with regard to tenancy sustainment and community engagement and assist in the delivery of estate management services as required.

Advise and assist in miscellaneous family and personal problems, including relations between tenants.

Such general welfare activities not necessarily connected with housing as may be assigned by the local authority from time to time.

Advise and make recommendations to the Council on the formulation of policy with a focus on the accommodation of housing customers particularly the marginalised and vulnerable throughout the county.

Collate the Traveller needs assessment and assist in the preparation and review of the statutory Traveller Accommodation Plan.

Co-ordinate the various sections of the Council in regard to service provision for housing customers particularly the marginalised and vulnerable and co-ordinate these services with those of voluntary organisations engaged in work on behalf of these clients.

Review policies and assist in their implementation for marginalised and vulnerable housing clients including the homeless, disabled, elderly, family support, etc.

Represent Clare County Council on the SORAM (Sex Offenders Risk Assessment & Management) Steering Group and the CYPSC (Children and Young People Service’s Committee) and other committees as assigned.

Promote and champion the role of the Social Worker in the effective delivery of housing services and co-ordinate the agencies engaged in service supports to the vulnerable and marginalised groups with focus on Travellers and homeless clients.

Assist in the implementation of new and existing initiatives on all housing related matters.

To undertake additional training and C.P.D. as required.

To deputise for other employees of the Council and represent the organisation when required.

The duties shall also include such duties as may be assigned to them in relation to the area of any other department of Clare County Council or other local authority.

To undertake any other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive.

Qualifications:

Hold a professional qualification in Social Work prescribed under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended);

OR

Have a letter of Validation issued by CORU/National Social Work Qualifications Board;

Be eligible for registration with CORU;

Possess a high standard of administrative and management experience;

and

Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organization

Hold a current full Class B driving licence free from endorsements.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular. Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee’s current point of scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.

The current salary scale applicable to the post (August 2025): €55,209, €57,809, €60,432, €63,076, €65,707, €68,342, €70,979, €72,357

The working hours effective from 1st July 2022, provide for a five day, thirty-five hour working week. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal hours, including evenings and/or weekends, as necessary.

The provisions of Clare County Council’s Leave Policy is applicable to this grade at the current time.