Senior Psychologist - National Inter Agency Prevention Programme

Job Summary

The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions including provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services. The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.

The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.

The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:

• Child Protection and Welfare
• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services
• Alternative Care
• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption
• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)
• Children’s Service Regulation
• Counselling and Therapeutic Supports

Further information is available on www.tusla.ie.

NIAPP was established in August 2016 by Tusla and operates within Tusla’s Therapeutic Services. NIAPP has a national remit for children in Ireland, aged 3 up to their 18th birthday (at time of referral), who have been accused of having exhibited harmful sexual behaviour, as well as their parents/caregivers. 

Primary services provided by NIAPP include Consultation, Assessment, Treatment, and Training. The service is provided in partnership on a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary basis in order to encompass the three strands of holistic treatment: child protection, mental health, and criminal justice. As a holistic service, NIAPP aims for the child/young person’s sexually problematic/ abusive behaviour to not be compartmentalised from other needs they may have. As such, clinical work while specialized, also aims to meet as many of the child / young person’s overall needs including past trauma, mental health, and daily functioning.

The person appointed to this NIAPP post will work as part of the specialist multi-disciplinary team delivering clinical treatment services to children, young people and their families, supporting children in the community, in care of Tusla, and in specialist residential treatment programmes. Those with experience of working generally with children and families will likely have the fundamental competencies upon which specialist skills can be built, if not already acquired. Clinical work ranges from basic principles of mental health support/interventions, family communication, systemic therapeutic approaches etc. to complex interventions for nuanced treatment goals which aim to reduce risk of further harm to others and help the children / young people return their lives to a healthier life trajectory. Other aspects of clinical work include clinical formulation, approaches unique to work with younger children, direct work with their parents/carers, structured assessment frameworks (e.g. AIM 3), safety planning and risk management, addressing deliberate self-harm, psychosexual matters, family functioning, and child protection concerns.

NIAPP also supports other professionals in their ongoing work with children and young people who have exhibited harmful sexual behaviour and their families. This includes

• Delivering ongoing training nationally
• Supporting specialist residential centres
• Co-ordinating local NIAPP Services throughout the Republic of Ireland. Providing ongoing supervision and training to professionals “released” by Tusla and other agencies to work with NIAPP on a weekly basis (e.g. for ½ to 1 day per week).

Purpose of the role

The post holder will have responsibility for contributing to the development and maintenance of high standards of professional practice in conjunction with the Principal Psychologist, the NIAPP National Co-Managers, and the NIAPP Team. They will carry out their duties in keeping with NIAPP Operational Guidelines and NIAPP Clinical Guidelines; as well as in keeping with Tusla’s Policies.

The post holder will have a key role in service development and service provision primarily for Tusla South East and the NIAPP services of NIAPP Cork and NIAPP Kerry. These two services operate from ½ day to 1 ½ days per week via small clinical teams released to carry out NIAPP work. The successful candidate will coordinate service delivery for these smaller teams, provide direct clinical work as warranted, train and supervise those professionals released to the local NIAPP service, develop / monitor NIAPP Treatment Plans, liaise with other involved agencies, carry out assessments including psychological evaluations of client group in keeping with NIAPP’s Guidelines re Psychometrics; provide monthly reports re enquiries, referrals, waitlists to NIAPP National Co-Management; and producing / supervision of written reports.

The post holder will also have a key role on behalf of NIAPP with a Tusla Specialist Residential Programme operated in Limerick. On average, this aspect of the work requires approximately 2 days per week, but not all of that is onsite in Limerick. This role requires weekly provision of direct treatment with all residents (4 bed unit); monthly multi-agency treatment review meetings on behalf of current residents; as well as contributing to recommendations re new referrals to the placement, Group Risk Assessments re how a new placement might impact existing residents, and ongoing communication with the residential team working with each resident. The post holder will be supported in this work by the ongoing involvement of a NIAPP National Co-Manager; who operates as a Specialist Consultant for the residential in coordination with the post holder’s role as specialist treatment provider.

This post has opportunities to provide training both within Tusla, as well as to other services and Universities. Opportunities to take Trainee Psychologists is always supported; as well as other opportunities for work and training re: working with trauma, working systemically, and other related areas.

Job Objectives

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

• Be responsible for the delivery of Guidelines and Tusla Policies.
• Carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post
• Provide documentation to aide future garda vetting of NIAPP clients at discharge to Tusla.
• Provide psychological assessments of the children, young people and their families based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of data from a variety of sources including psychological tests, self-report measures, direct and indirect observation and interviews with clients, family members and/or carers in consultation with the professional network.
• Provide psychological assessment, intervention and monitoring of progress and outcome as required for children and young people, and their parents/ carers specific to clinical formulation and intervention around the issue of Harmful Sexual Behaviour; and inclusive of other disciplines.
• Provide professional reports as required in accordance with professional standards
• Complete and document NIAPP Treatment Plans and Safety Plans as warranted.
• Foster an understanding of the role and contribution of psychology by providing professional consultation, education, guidance and support in collaboration with other colleagues.
• Communicate effectively and work in co-operation with other team members and others to ensure integrated service provision and collective risk management.
• Contribute to and participate in inter-agency work practice and service delivery as required
• Attending Child in care reviews, committees, case conferences, professional and network meetings and Signs of Safety meetings.
• Work within limits of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance.
• Be aware of and refer the children, young people and their families to other services as necessary.
• Work in an ethical and professional manner at all times
• Prepare professional reports and give evidence as required by the courts.
• Keep the Principal Psychologist informed of any significant risk in line with relevant local and national protocols; as well as the safety of clients and others.
• Promote a culture that values equality, diversity, respect and child centred practice which are non-oppressive; balancing client’s need for age appropriate development and the safety of others.
• Ensure that practice is in line with Tusla’s Child and Youth Participation Strategy.
• Keep abreast of legislation as relevant to your role.

Research & Evaluation

• Utilise evidence-based literature and research to support effective practice
• Undertake project management including audit and service evaluation with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.
• Participate in evaluation of all clinical activity within the post and provide such information as required by NIAPP National Co-Management for the purpose of service monitoring and evaluation.
• Undertake appropriate research and provide research advice as appropriate
• Publish research outcomes in professionally recognised journals and share information on outcomes at professional conferences where appropriate.
• Represent a professional viewpoint in relation to nationally accepted good practice and to ensure a high level of ethical standards and professional conduct.
• Contribute to developments and innovative practice in psychology within NIAPP and Tusla.
• Conduct all research activity under the guidance of Tusla’s national research office.

Education & Training

• Keep abreast of professional knowledge and research informed developments in the fields of harmful sexual behaviour, child sexual abuse, trauma, neurodiversity, foetal alcohol disorders, substance misuse, psychological disorders, attachment, emerging personality traits, and any other relevant psychological matters that are often factors in cases referred to NIAPP.
• Attend mandatory training programmes
• Be informed of advances in professional knowledge and practice
• Keep abreast of best practice as outlined by the Psychological Society of Ireland
• Participate in continuous professional development initiatives and ensure compliance with statutory registration requirements when required.
• In collaboration with the Senior / Principal Psychologist and Principal Social Worker attend training courses as informed by service requirements and career and personal development planning
• Attend and engage in clinical and line management supervision effectively and in a reflective capacity.
• Support the education of those in post graduate professional psychology training
• Participate in the learning and practice education of students on placement from the MDT team.
• Provide training as warranted.
• Comply with CORU registration when implemented.

Management

The Senior Psychologist will:

• Provide services and function within NIAPP Operational Guidelines and NIAPP Clinical Guidelines; as well as Tusla Policies.
• Provide clinical supervision of NIAPP Releasees under their auspices, and other NIAPP posts as required; and advise the NIAPP Principal Psychologist of any relevant issues to ensure safe and effective service provision.
• Provide clinical supervision of Tusla Staff Grade Psychologists as allocated to aid in the development of Tusla’s Psychology services overall.
• Identify staff training and development needs through the completion of personal development plans with staff, reporting needs to work force learning and development and in consultation with the wider Tusla therapy MDT, social work and other managers.
• Manage and co-ordinate service delivery in their area of responsibility
• Assign duties and responsibilities as appropriate to ensure effective service delivery
• Ensure the maintenance of a high standard of appropriate service user records and statistics in accordance with Tusla requirements and local guidelines, Freedom of Information Acts, Data Protection Acts, GDPR and other relevant legislation
• Act as a person mandated under Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015.
• Provide service reports / data as required by the Regional Therapy Manager or Principal Psychologist
• Maintain accurate up to date records and files and submit activity data as required.
• Write accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports in keeping with NIAPP Clinical Guidelines.
• Contribute to service developments by monitoring and evaluating emerging needs and trends in consultation with team members, the Regional Therapy Manager or Principal Psychologist
• Collaborate with the Principal Psychologist and NIAPP Team in developing the role of the Senior Grade Psychologist and the service e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research.
• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service in designated area(s).
• Ensure good working practice and adherence to standards of best practice.
• Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating NIAPP’s changing needs and opportunities to improve services.
• Represent the department / profession / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate.
• Participate in the control and ordering of clinical equipment and supplies.
• Engage in technological developments as they apply to the service user and service administration.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways and integrated care arrangements in coordination with NIAPP National Co-Managers.
• Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring, business / service planning and budgetary control in conjunction with NIAPP National Co-Managers
• Keep abreast of developments in national policies and strategies and international best practice.
• Maintain an awareness of HR policies and procedures / engage in recruitment processes and other HR functions as required
• Assist in ensuring that the psychological service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT
• Maintain professional standards with regard to service user and data confidentiality
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within Tusla

Administrative

• Maintain appropriate records, databases and statistics in accordance with NIAPP requirements, Tusla requirements and local guidelines, Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts GDPR and other relevant legislation.
• Maintain professional standards with regard to records of children, young people and their families and maintain data confidentiality
• Actively participate in development and continuing improvement initiatives of psychological services in liaison with the Principal Psychologist and relevant others including your MDT colleagues, Regional Therapy Manager and Social Work Management.
• Assist in ensuring that the psychology service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in Information and Communications Technology
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Tusla and the wider public sector.
• Staff will work within the values and principles as outlined in the national framework of Signs of Safety.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards, regulations regarding foster care and residential care etc and comply with associated Tusla protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA Child Protection teams.

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.

Skills Requirement

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

• A recognised University QQI Level 8 degree (or equivalent) obtained with first or second class honours in which psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject.

And

• A recognised postgraduate professional psychological qualification in Clinical, Counselling or Educational Psychology, as appropriate to the area of professional psychology in which the position is designated, and accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland.

Or

• Qualification(s) from another jurisdiction confirmed by the Department of Health to be equivalent to the above.

And

• Have at least five years satisfactory post graduate clinical experience, inclusive of any time spent in pursuing a course leading to the postgraduate qualification and including at least two years full-time satisfactory experience as a staff grade psychologist (or at a more senior grade with a psychologist title) in the area of professional psychology in which the position is designated.

And

• Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

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.

Attachment(s):

Senior Psychologist NIAPP Candidate Information Pack May 2025.pdf