Team Leader – Cocaine Harm Reduction Programme

Clarecare is a professional accredited social enterprise with charitable status, providing a rang of person centred social services to individuals and families in County Clare for over 57 years. Current services include Family Support, Older Person Services and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre. Clarecare’s headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon.

Bushypark Addiction Treatment Service provides a range of residential & community based services for people with alcohol, drug, gambling and other addictions. Service provision includes (a) 28-day residential programme and (b) a range of community-based services which include assessment services, pre-treatment, polydrugs programme, recovery supports, community gambling clinic, cocaine harm reduction programme, and family support services.

Our Vision: is to be the trusted quality care provider within our communities by supporting individuals and families to reach their full potential.

Our Mission: is to provide person-centred services to individuals and families within our communities.

Our Core Values: • Collaborate • Accountability • Respect • Empathy • Trust

Position Title: Team Leader – Cocaine Harm Reduction Programme - Bushypark

Immediate Vacancy – Full-time, permanent contract

JOB DETAILS: The successful candidate will oversee the Community Cocaine Initiative Project Team funded by HSE on behalf of Bushypark. This is a harm reduction based project, with the team leader overseeing the client’s journey from first contact with the service, through their treatment process and into recovery support programmes. Training and supervision will be provided to the successful candidate.

Role Objectives: To support the overall management of Bushypark Cocaine Initiative Project in the delivery of safe, effective and dynamic addiction treatment services programmes.

Days/Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week excluding 30 mins. daily break. Some evenin work and 1 Saturday morning (3.5 hours) every 4 weeks to meet the operational requirements of this role. Flexibility and willingness to work outside of normal work hours/days of work is required.

Annual Leave: 26 days annual leave per leave year (Jan-Dec) pro-rated

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Manager of Bushypark, and is directly responsible for:

The Cocaine Team which comprises of Counsellors and a Project Worker. The Cocaine Team Lead is an integral member of the Bushypark Team and will liaise with the Bushypark Management Team weekly for operational and strategic planning purposes.

Indirectly Responsible for: Students of the Service and Volunteers.

Job location: This is an onsite role – remote/hybrid working does not apply. Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare. The successful candidate will be required to travel to other locations in line with Service requirements. You will be required to use your private car to travel for work purposes in the course of your work and to indemnify Clarecare in respect of the same.

Duties and responsibilities:

Key responsibilities:

• You will provide clinical leadership and guidance for the Cocaine Initiative Team, comprising of counsellors and a project worker, and will support the development of policies, procedures to support their work

• You will lead, inspire, support and develop the team, to enable them to deliver high- quality services to the highest professional standards.

• You will provide supervision for the team members, supporting them in the work

• You will share our passion for putting the needs and well-being of the people we support first, finding new ways to enrich their lives and delivering outstanding customer care for them and their family members, focused on enabling people to flourish.

• You will support the Bushypark Manager, taking leadership roles in some areas of management of our services that could include communications, service development, managing finance/ budgets etc.,

• You will help ensure that regulatory compliance is maintained across the service area in line with the funding agreements, accreditation standards and Clarecare policies and procedures

• You will create and develop strong internal and external relationships, you will play an important role in strengthening the reputation of Bushypark/Clarecare as a trusted support provider with key audiences including HSE, Probation, MWRDAF, funded services and other local and national referring agencies.

• As part of the management team, you will be part of shaping the operational direction of the service and developing and implementing service improvement plans.

Provide effective leadership

• Provide inspiring leadership to the cocaine team, guiding the implementation of our vision, mission and values into operational practice.

• Chair team meetings and support the cocaine team in their roles and work-load

• Guide and support the team on decision-making and key interventions to support clients in recovery from substance misuse through harm reduction strategies

• Accept responsibility and be accountable for day-to-day activities, provide an example for others, create an open, positive, collaborative and inclusive culture.

• Develop effective relationships with the key stakeholders, including employees, residents and clients and their families, external agencies, etc.

• Maintain a positive public image.

• Support the Manager to comply with NRDRIC, HSE, CHKS, and other Authorities, complying with legal and statutory requirements.

Service improvement and quality assurance

• Support the development and implementation of plans to improve our operations at Bushypark and across Clarecare services.

• Support staff on clinical decision making and supporting risk assessments to ensure clinical standards are maintained and clients are receiving best possible supports and interventions regarding their substance mis-use

• Gain and act on feedback, including from staff, stakeholders, people we support and their families, in line with best practice and with requirements of our funding service level agreements

• Encourage all staff to share ideas and progress on service improvement, and ensure regular communication with staff on progress.

• Contribute to the annual business plan with measurable objectives and KPI’s

• Ensure that the policies, procedures and risk assessments are accurate, up-to-date and regularly reviewed to ensure they meet best practice requirements, national standards and, the requirements of CHKS and ensure staff are trained to use these.

• Participate in the development and implementation of efficient, accurate and appropriate quality assurance, and monitoring control measures and practices.

Operational Management

• Provision of line management and supervision to members of the Cocaine Initiative Team ensuring, completion of performance goals, professional development, supervision and the compliance of ethical and service standards.

• Manage and oversee all aspects of the client and family members’ journey from initial contact through community treatment with the service to post-treatment supports.

• Manage services ensuring that they are provided at the agreed time, to the agreed specification and quality, and are consistent with individual assessments and person-centred plans and that these are reviewed at least annually.

• Support the Manager with the responsibility for health and safety, ensuring services are delivered using safe systems of work and do not endanger the health and safety or welfare of anyone who provides or receives them.

• Review and update risk assessments to ensure that the service continues to improve quality provision and reduce risks for both staff and clients

• Regularly and frequently seek the views of people we support and their families. Act on constructive feedback received as appropriate. Ensure concerns and complaints are dealt with promptly and effectively as per policies.

• Ensure completion of HRB forms as are part of service agreement with HSE

• Ensure compliance with the service specifications and CHKS Accreditation standards.

• Maintain all records required and complete all required reporting.

Financial and resource management

• Authorise appropriate purchase of equipment and maintenance or replacement for day to day operations of the team within budgets.

• Contribute to the development of new services and to reports/ proposals for the purchase of new or replacement of existing equipment

• Support the Bushypark Manager in the development of annual budgets and in making financial and operational returns to funders and other sources as require

People management

• Lead the team members in the delivery of interventions for clients and family members impacted by substance mis-use and other behaviours

• Recruit, retain, support and develop staff and volunteers within budget ensuring staffing levels are maintained. This includes formal and informal learning and development, embedding reflective practice. Promoting the concept of lifelong learning for staff, volunteers and the people we support.

• lmplement staff development processes, including supervision and personal development plans for the staff you manage, focusing on retention.

• Work with the staff team to continue development of a culture which reflects organisation values, ensures respect, is positive, collaborative, open and honest.

• ldentify opportunities to make Bushypark/Clarecare an even better place to work.

• With the Manager, manage training framework for staff.

• Act as an influential communicator who gains the support, trust and confidence of colleagues and involves colleagues in key areas of activity and decision making.

• Minimise interpersonal conflicts by ensuring that values, standards of behaviour and performance are understood and observed, and problems dealt with.

• Ensure that the capacity and skill mix requirements for the service are reviewed frequently, in line with agreed levels of service and operational demands. Monitor staff usage, ensuring a close match between staff capacity available and need.

• With the Manager, lead staff recruitment ensuring people we support are involved in the process in a meaningful way, and provide equality of opportunity.

• Delegate to team members where appropriate and review such delegation at appropriate intervals to ensure effectiveness.

• Prioritise own work, setting and agreeing measurable objectives as appropriate.

• Make regular assessments of progress, ensuring that any significant delays are dealt with satisfactorily.

lnformation management

• Take a leadership role, with colleagues, to improve our communications internally

• and externally.

• Act as an ambassador to represent the heart and face of the organisation to key decision-makers building a sound reputation within the local community and ensuring our services are 'services of choice' and working towards excellence.

• Ensure compliance with information management regulations including working with

• colleagues to comply with General Data Protection Regulations.

• Chair meetings such as team meetings and care reviews, conducting them in a manner which promotes involvement, understanding and achievement of objectives.

• Use data to improve quality of care provision and to publish research findings.

• Present data internally, to funders and to external agencies as required.

Person Specification:

You will be a team player, energetic and hardworking.

You will be a good communicator and influencer.

You will be able to supervise and support your staff in the delivery of clinical and other interventions for clients and family members impacted by addiction.

You will have a positive outlook and an approach that will bring positive outcomes for your team and the clients we support.

You will be proud to hold responsibility for the well-being of the people we support and our team's professional development.

You will be passionate about offering the best possible services at Bushypark and across the Clarecare organisation.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications/ Education/ Knowledge

• A professional qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy to at least Level 7 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) - QQI

OR

• Have an equivalent qualification and full registration from another jurisdiction.

AND

• Be fully accredited as a Counsellor with Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) or as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP) or a relevant body within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP).

AND

• A minimum of 2 years relevant line management experience, managing a team in the healthcare, social care/social science or related field. Experience of supervision is essential. {Specific knowledge/experience of addiction treatment models is an advantage although not essential}.

AND

• Candidates must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Skills:

• Strong Administration/IT skills – proficient in MS Office, Databases etc.

• Demonstrate a sensitive, supportive and personalised approach to the people we support, maintaining their dignity and self-respect at all times.

• An effective communicator with an influential style, both written and verbal.

• You must be able to work within the vision, mission, values, policies and practices of the organisation.

• Strong partnership skills and able to develop excellent relationships internally and externally including HSE, Probation, MWRDAF-funded services and other local and national referring agencies.

• Able to innovate, network and collaborate to progress the organisation and seize opportunities.

• Advocacy and negotiation skills to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.

• Excellent skills in managing and prioritising time and resources.

• Demonstrated ability to support and guide staff including, to supporting them to plan services and report progress.

• Excellent ability to use Microsoft Office and bespoke organisational lT systems e.g. OneTouch.

• Working practice that incorporates equality, diversity and inclusion principles at all times.

• Ability to respond professionally, flexibly, calmly and quickly in a crisis.

• Skilled in assessment, support planning, recording and report writing, and in directing case Management.

• Calm, patient, level-headed, kind, caring, compassionate.

• Effective and efficient rota design and management.

• Ideally have experience of working with persons with addiction, also with people with complex needs and of communicating effectively with them and their families.

• Substantial knowledge and experience of managing a range of services.

• Experienced in leading and developing your staff team in a social care environment; supervision, appraisal, personal development planning, recruitment, retention, formal HR processes.

• Actively managing performance and maintaining high standards at all times.

• Ensuring effective team communications.

• Leading and motivating a team to achieve best practice.

• Continuous development of the team and service, identifying training needs and coaching

staff.

• Seeing organisations through periods of change management.

• Financial monitoring and budget management experience desirable.

• Reviewing and development of policies and procedures.

• Contribute to research, audit, review and evaluation of the Service as and when required.

• Experience of working with addiction, trauma, mental health and/or with vulnerable groups

• Be committed to his/her continuous professional development (CPD).

• Be flexible to work some evenings or out of hours.

• Ability to maintain the principles of confidentiality and professional boundaries in all areas of work.

• To perform such other duties appropriate to the position as may be assigned to you.

• 2 positive employment references from current/most recent employer.

• Positive Garda Vetting Disclosure via Clarecare.

• Fit to work Pre-employment Medical through Clarecare.

• Full clean driving licence with insurance indemnity to Clarecare

DESIRABLE:

• Knowledge of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS).

• Specific knowledge/experience of addiction treatment and recovery models.

• Knowledge and understanding of MI, CBT, SFT, CRA, 5 Step Model, SMART recovery and

CRAFT

• Knowledge of Biopsychosocial and or 12-step Model of Treatment.

• Understanding of the Harm Reduction and other models of treatment

Salary:

• The gross salary for this position is commensurate with experience. Details available from HR on 086 – 4161520.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave per annum for full-time staff, excluding Public Holiday entitlement.

• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of 6 months probation. Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of probation (6 months). “My Future Fund” Government Pension Scheme during the 1st 6 months of probation at 1.5% of salary deduction by employee, matched by Clarecare and 0.5% contribution from Government.

• Access to full terms of Clarecare’s Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (6 months duration).

• Ongoing Training & Development and In-house supervision by Manager.

• Financial support for CPD/Further Training & Development as approved by your Manager.

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

This Job Description aims to provide an accurate and concise summary of the Job and its main duties and responsibilities. However, it is not intended to be restrictive or absolute.

CLOSING DATE 3RD DECEMBER 2025