Programme Assistant Thomastown– Maternity Cover

A Programme Assistant - Maternity Cover is Required @ The Watergarden Day Service, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

Camphill Community, are currently seeking applications from highly motivated people, to join our team for the following position :

Programme Assistant - 28 hours per week.

Job Purpose

To support the service in developing and fostering a person-centred culture, with an aim to achieve a high quality of personal outcomes, personal development, growth and opportunity within the ethos of CCoI and the regulatory and contractual requirements, of provision.

To assist in the inclusive programmes, training and social role opportunities for participants by supporting and working with people with support needs, volunteers,  employees, and wider community partners. To enable and support meaningful work, training and personal development opportunities for people according to their ability, personal choice and vocational interests.

Key Responsibilities

The Programme Assistant will :

Understand the values and ethos of Camphill Communities of Ireland and to behave always in a way that upholds those values.

To uphold, promote and apply all practices and reporting requirements associated with company and HSE / statutory requirements on Safeguarding and Protection of vulnerable adult.

To promote the safety and wellbeing of all members of the community while respecting and supporting their right to independent decision making.

To contribute to the establishing of polices, systems and practices so that the community provides the best standard of care and support and complies with legislation, polices and best practice within the context of Camphill's ethos and values and can demonstrate the same.

To contribute with colleagues to the development and strategic vision of the community and associated activities and opportunities.

Building and maintaining relationships of trust and confidence with the adults with support needs, co-workers, employees and volunteers.

To have sound knowledge of the mission statement, values and purpose of Camphill Communities of Ireland.

To work in accordance with the policies and procedures laid down by the Camphill Communities of Ireland.

Adhere to HIQA Standards, New Directions Standards and other company standards within your work location.

Engage with inspections and audits carried out by the Company, HIQA / HSE

To engage in personal and professional development that will ensure the necessary skills and knowledge in meeting the changing needs of the position.

Main Tasks :

Assist in planning the work of people with support needs, identifying the best activity and approach for each person, providing guidance, motivating, developing and directing people as they work.

To create a good working environment and a group dynamic that enables each worker to benefit from their time in the programme.

Making sure that people with support needs are constructively engaged, emotionally supported and sufficiently challenged and progressing as well as supported to work as independently as possible.

Work in conjunction with individual plans and aims for each individual in the programme.

Assist people with support needs in their work wherever necessary and overseeing / supervising their tasks once they can work independently.

Be involved in reviews and support meetings in conjunction with our social care coordinators and other individuals supporting an individual.

To notify the Management group or their nominated person of any behaviour that causes concern.

To attend the appropriate meetings as requested

Work under limited supervision, following standardised practices and / or methods, providing information, advising others and reporting to Management.

To negotiate holidays to minimise disruption to the smooth and safe running of the programme

To maintain Health and Safety regulations within the programme, compiling Risk Assessments on the use of equipment where necessary.

To apply best practice safety in line with company policy and national best practice as advised by Health and Safety Authority.

To ensure that all equipment in the programme is safe, clean and in good working order.

To have ready the materials, resources and expertise required for the project / activity.

To keep the area's you are responsible beautiful, pleasant, clean and tidy

Organising and supervising tea breaks for the programme

Assist as necessary to ensure all documentation required and associated with the programme

Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience

Candidates must have :

QQI Level 5 Major Award in Community / Healthcare on the QQI Framework (with 8 completed modules)

At least 1 years' experience in working with adults with an intellectual disability / autism

Experience of running programmes for adults with an intellectual disability / autism

An understanding of the New Directions model of day support services, as developed by the HSE. and a willingness to work in promoting this model within your role

Ability to contribute towards the support, coaching, managing and motivating and developing a mixed workforce of volunteers and employees.

What we offer :

Competitive salary with Sunday and Bank Holiday premiums

Pay scales

Career progression opportunities

Work / life balance

Paid annual leave

Refer a friend scheme

Employee Assist Programme offering advice and counselling

Death in Service Benefit

Paid mandatory training

Paid travel expenses

Details of the Role :

Salary Scale :       €30,272 to €36,026. Programme Assistant - PRO RATA.

Location :   The Watergarden, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Contract :            Fixed Term Part Time - 28 hours / week

Closing date :       5pm, Tuesday July 22nd 2025