Community Access Facilitators

1. Tenure of Employment Permanent full-time / Permanent Part-time and Permanent evening roles. 2. Probationary Period A probationary period of 9 months will apply to these posts 3. Qualifications and Experience Each candidate for the appointment must • Possess a relevant and appropriate 3rd level qualification Level 7 or higher on the Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) framework in community development, health or education • Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience of working with people with an intellectual disability/autism and complex needs. • Have experience of programme development, implementation and review, specifically for people with an intellectual disability/autism and complex needs • Have practical experience of how to make social inclusion and community integration a reality for people with intellectual disabilities/autism. • Have knowledge of New Directions themes, utilised as the framework of support within day services. • Have practical experience of using various methods of person centred planning. • Have experience of working within a multi-disciplinary context • Be computer literate including proficiency in Microsoft Office and knowledge and proficiency of using information systems • Be available to work afternoons/evenings and some weekends as required Possession of a full clean driving licence which qualifies you to drive on Irish roads is essential as it is a requirement of the role to drive service vehicles. 4. Remuneration: €41,431 - €55,805 per annum including 2 LSI’s (1/6/26 Consolidated Scales) and pro-rata for part-time roles * Successful candidates are required to submit all documentary evidence outlining any relevant experience within 3 months of starting date. Failure to do so will mean that any incremental credit due now will only be paid from date of submission of documents. 5. Hours of work: 39 hours per week worked for full-time roles. 19.5 hours per week for part-time roles 6. Pension Scheme The Corlann Service Contributory Superannuation Scheme which is linked with the Nominated Health Agencies Superannuation Scheme or Single Public Service Pension Scheme (whichever is applicable) will apply to this appointment and the person appointed will enter the said Scheme as and from the date of taking up employment. 7. Age The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants. * Public Servants not affected by this legislation: Public servants recruited between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age. Public servants recruited since 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70. 8. Health Each candidate for and any person holding the appointment must be free from any defect or disease which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the appointment, and must be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. To satisfy this qualification, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination by a medical practitioner nominated by the employing authority 9. Duties The general duties of the appointment are as described in the attached Job Description. 10. Note re Canvassing Any attempt by candidates themselves or by any person(s) acting at their instigation directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate’s favour any member of the staff of Corlann South Service or person nominated to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidates for the position they are seeking. 11. Garda E-Vetting Clearance / Police Clearance Garda E-Vetting Clearance is a requirement for employment in the Corlann South Service. Police Clearance is also required for candidates who have lived abroad for over six months. 12. Annual Leave 23 days per annum and pro-rata for part-time roles. The annual leave is planned by prior arrangement with her/his Line Manager. 13. Notice At least one month’s notice, in writing, is required of intention to resign from the post during probationary period. The Role: The senior community facilitator plays a leadership role within the day service supporting the delivery of high quality person centred care to adults with intellectual disabilities. The senior community facilitator must act as a role model to person support, staff, students etc. The senior community facilitator role will contribute to service planning, ensure adherence to best practice, organisation policies and regulations, and promote inclusion, rights and wellbeing of person supported. The Senior Community facilitator supports both direct service delivery and operational duties in collaboration with the day services manager. Employees are expected to have a high level of flexibility and a willingness and ability to develop new approaches to their work. Have a risk positive attitude. 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. This position requires a high degree of professionalism and competence as well as the ability to understand and empower people with sometimes divergent points of view. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Person supported: • Promote and support the independence, dignity and personal choices of person supported in line with their person centred plan. • Support individuals to access community resources, education, social activities and life skills development opportunities when in the service. • Participate with people supported in the various elements of their programme including swimming, and other indoor and outdoor activities on an ongoing basis. • Provide support to the people supported with intimate care needs if required. • Support person supported through their means of communication and ensure you are up to date on all education and training to provide this support. • Be vigilant with regard to the protection, safety and welfare of the people supported at all times and report any concerns to the Line Manager • Be sensitive and responsive to the whole range of needs of the people we support including their age, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual and medical well-being. • Fulfil all roles and responsibilities as a keyworker to the people supported assigned to you. • Participate in Individual Programme Planning, Person Centred Planning and any other such processes as requested. 2. Team Leadership & Supervision: • Act as a point of contact for staff, person supported and families on duty and support decision making in the absence of the manager. • Provide supervision, mentoring and support to team members. • Assist with the induction and training of new staff, students and volunteers. • Promote a positive and inclusive team culture that values respect, collaboration and accountability. • As a senior member of the team assist the manager in the day to day running of the day service including management of rosters, financial management, health and safety etc. • Work as a member of a team and participate in the development and implementation, review and evaluation of appropriate programmes suitable to the individual needs and abilities of people supported and which consistently strive to ensure community inclusion and participation as much as possible • Be fully informed and work within all of the policies and procedures that the Corlann South Services have, or may introduce • Perform your duties in a professional manner at all times in particular when dealing with person supported, staff, MDT and families and any other relevant stakeholders. • Co-operate fully and develop strong, professional and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, in particular residential staff, family and other personnel involved in each person's life. This is to ensure there is a consistent and holistic approach in supporting each individual person fulfil their priorities and life choices as much as is practicable on a day to day basis • Prepare proposals for the strategic development of the assigned area/programme and contribute to the development and review of operating systems and structures the will ensure the efficient running of that area, as required by the line manager. • Provide cover for the Day service Manager in their absence 3. Compliance and Quality Assurance: • Ensure daily practices align with organisational policies, safeguarding procedures, health and safety new directions, CQL & other regulatory bodies. • Monitor documentation (eg support plans, risk assessments, daily notes) for accuracy and quality. • Conduct audits and support the implementation of quality improvement initiatives and service reviews. • Ensure New Directions documentation including the EASI –Tool are completed, maintained and all staff are working to the actions. 4. Health & Safety: • Promote and maintain a safe environment for all person supported, staff and visitors. • Ensure you are familiar and implement fire drill procedures and all equipment is in working order within your area of work - i.e. fire detection, evacuation and firefighting. • Report accidents/irregularities or other matters of concern immediately to the Line Manager and record all relevant details accurately, in line with organisational procedures. • Develop and ensure that all staff are aware of and implement risk assessment and emergency plans. • Ensure that you are fully informed and work within the standards and requirements as laid out in relevant Safety, Health & Welfare at Work legislation. 5. Communication & Administration • Respect the confidential nature of all information conveyed either verbally or in writing during the course of work. All matters relating to the Services are confidential and adherence and respect to this is required at all times. • Keep abreast of current developments in services for people with intellectual disabilities with particular reference to day service provision, by attending lectures, courses and staff meetings as required. • Make referrals as required to MDT, health and safety etc. • Refer to and implement recommendations and support staff to ensure consistent implementation of MDT recommendations. • Ensure all documentation is completed and up to date and reviewed within timescales. • Keep accurate and objective records and make reports as required. • Use of and implementation of IT systems is an essential part of the role. Including an adaptability and wiliness to learn and implement new technological advances within the service • Perform such other duties appropriate to the appointment as may be assigned from time to time. Confidentiality In the course of the employment the appointee may have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of people 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 people 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 Services are under constant development, evaluation and review and changes to your Job Description may be required accordingly.