Head of Services (Mainstream)

Job Description - Mainstream - Head of Service

Reports to : Director of Services

Responsible for : National Management of Residential Care Centre's for TerraGlen.

Location : Whilst your base for work will be Bracetown Business Park, Clonee, Dublin 15, you will be required to work at least 2 days per month in each of the residential child care centres belonging to the service.

Job Purpose : As Head of Service you will provide day to day operational management for all care and support services across the TerraGlen Residential Childcare Centre settings, ensuring that care and support is equitable, professional and of an excellent standard.

You will work closely with the Director of Services, all TUSLA contracted colleagues and clinical leads for service users to ensure the effective management of placement planning activities for residents and oversight of resources.

You will work closely with the Registration and Inspection Services, TUSLA and the Central Referral Services to enhance integrated working.

You will contribute to the senior management leadership of centres and deputise for the Director of Services in their absence.

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Key Responsibilities

Managing the service,

1.     To make decisions about the appropriate allocation of resources and to ensure deployment of centre staff across all care settings meeting residents needs and preventing unnecessary significant events, ensuring safety and effective care practices.

2.     Monitor and regularly review centre management, personnel files, resident's files, maintenance records, health and safety, fire and medication records.

3.     Ensuring oversight and governance of the centres with the Directors and providing monthly reports on outcomes and risks in centres.

4.     Manage care and support budgets for centres.

5.     Work with all relevant and directed external organisations to ensure collaborative and integrated working.

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Governance

1.     To ensure that TerraGlen Centre's comply with National Standards, Professional Standards and all company Policies and Procedures, safeguarding and child care laws.

2.     Support the Centre Managers, Deputies and Teams.

3.     Ensure that systems are in place to manage and reduce risk.

4.     Ensure safe and sensitive management of complaints, incidents, crises and unanticipated significant events.

5.     To produce reports on the lived experiences of young people in residence and the resource allocation by the centres.

6.     To ensure line managed staff recognise their responsibility for governance and contribute fully.

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Leadership

1.     To provide and embed strong leadership in the care and support services of TerraGlen.

2.     To imbed the Model of Care in centres across the organisation.

3.     To ensure teams embed quality assurance in everyday practices in all roles.

4.     To work closely with the Social Work Departments, Referring Agents, Inspectors and Clinical Participants.

___________________________________________________________________________ Financial Performance

1.     To monitor and manage the service's budget, ensuring financial efficiency, cost control and resources allocation aligned with service delivery goal.

2.     To identify opportunities for cost savings and financial optimization across operations while maintaining high-quality service standards.

3.     To ensure compliance with financial policies.

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Special Features of the Job

1.     Participate in the on-call rota when required.

2.     The post holder will be required to work flexible and unsocial hours.

3.     Represent TerraGlen at local, regional and national meetings, events and conferences.

4.     Work closely with HR, Accounts and Marketing elements of the company.

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People Management

Providing leadership, management and development of all staff and students within the area of responsibility through effective :

Workforce planning, recruitment and selection

Communication and staff support

Performance Management

Staff development including annual appraisals

Staff support including health and safety and wellbeing awareness

Facilitating a culture of learning, inclusiveness, respect for difference and care.

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Qualification required

Bachelor's degree in social work, nursing, healthcare management or a related field required

Master's degree in social work, Business Administration, Healthcare Management, preferred

Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing residential care services, particularly in child and youth services, with a proven track record of leadership and governance.

Familiar working with regulatory bodies, including TUSLA, HIQA and other childcare or social service agent.

Financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting and cost control in a care environment.

Skills and competencies

Leadership and management skills with experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams in a care setting.

Strong knowledge of childcare law and safeguarding practices including national standards and relevant policies

Experience with Strategic Planning and Risk Management in a social or healthcare setting

Excellent Communication Skills, with the ability to engage with internal teams, external stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.

Financial Acumen in managing and reporting on budgets, as well as identifying opportunities for resource optimization

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General

At the heart of our strategic vision, our care approach aims to support creative and flexible responses for every member of our workforce in order to benefit each and every person using our services. There is an expectation of compliance with National Standards, training and development and to support colleagues beyond own teams.

The Job Description may change, and the duties listed are not exhaustive, but such change will only be made following consultation between the (relevant) Person and the post holder.

Job Description Dated : February 2025.