Job Title:  Team Leader 
Reports to:   directly to Refuge Co-Ordinator 
Location:      Based in Refuge Offices in Tralee mainly and Killarney Offices as and when required 

The Purpose of this Job:
The Team Leader will have case management oversight role and be a support to workers within the support team.  It is their role to guide support workers through good practice responses that support women and their children who live with the impact of domestic violence and coercive control.  This worker will decide the case management plan in response to risk assessment, safety planning,  immediate crisis intervention, medium term care plans.  The worker will be responsible for the delegation of tasks to the support team when and as required and ensuring systems are effective and that the responses in place support the women and her children while in refuge and also women who seek support by telephone. The worker will use a trauma-informed care approach when delivering and developing responses. 

The worker will also have responsibility with the Refuge Co-Ordinator for the continued development of the Day Service response.  This means the development of a non-resident face to face/phone service at the refuge. This will be an appointment based service which delivers listening, information, support and advocacy.

The worker will have a role in supporting the Refuge Co-Ordinator in the delivery of support programmes to women including group support.  These programmes may be based in different locations in the County and on-line. 

The Post holder will be based at ADAPT Kerry’s premises at the Women’s Refuge in Tralee. They will be required to attend external meetings and events across Kerry, including office in Killarney and on occasion outside Kerry.

This post will involve training, delivery of training, delivery of programmes and policy development. 
This post will involve networking with a large amount of stakeholders.
This post will be responsible for the rostering of support staff in the refuge. 
The role will work with HR and management to ensure compliance with relevant requirements and obligations. 

Principal accountabilities and how they are to be achieved:

Child Protection & Welfare:

The worker will be familiar with their responsibilities regarding Child Protection and Welfare concerns.

Client Support:
The worker will provide leadership by demonstrating the highest standard of practice.
The worker will ensure that the service responds effectively to the needs of clients.

Quality:
To ensure a consistently high standard of care for clients and that client’s rights are protected and promoted.

Communication:
To carry out their duties in accordance with the values of ADAPT Kerry.
To contribute to the ongoing development of standards, policies, practices, responses, reviews and procedures within ADAPT Kerry

Policy:

• To report to Management (Refuge Co-Ordinator/Head of Services/General Manager) challenges, changes or resource needs as they arise.  The Team Leader reports directly to the Refuge Co-Ordinator on a day to day basis. 
• To provide Management with reports, data and information required for meetings and to attend meetings and present reports as required
• To manage and maintain data in accordance with best practice. 
• To maintain best practice in the organisation’s obligation and response under Children’s First and to act in accordance with Adapt Kerry’s Child Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Staff Mentoring:
To access training and development needs of Support Staff
To facilitate the induction of new Support Staff
To supervise relevant student placements. 

Health and Safety:

To report any Health and Safety Concerns or issues to Refuge Co-Ordinator or General Manager

Deputising for Refuge Co-Ordinator on occasion:

To deputise for the Refuge Co-Ordinator as required/requested, i.e. Annual Leave, Sick Leave or other necessary times as requested. 

General:

To undertake any reasonable tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

Challenges:

This role requires the post holder to deal with sensitive and confidential matters, requiring empathy and the ability to deal with challenging and changing priorities with a trauma informed care lens.  The post holder will support the team and offer guidance and assist in the development of practices that support women and children affected by domestic violence/coercive control. 

Working Hours:

Working hours may occasionally require the post holder to work some weekends, night’s and bank holidays.  Occasionally the post holder may also be required to be ‘on-call’ and to attend work at short notice in the event of an emergency.  Time-in-Lieu will apply at these times and being ‘on-call’ will be subject to an applicable ‘on-call’ allowance.  This post requires flexibility and good time management. 

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post, is subject to review and amendments in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time by the General Manager.

Renumeration:
€52,000 per annum.   37.5 hour week excluding 30 minute lunch break in line with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.  The post requires flexibility in working time.   
Work will required in the evening, weekends to meet with and support staff, and attend meetings, supervision or training.  And travel is required for work, training, meetings and client support plus other times as required. 

Essential Qualifications

Recognised third level qualification in a related field.

Experience

• Work experience in the area of domestic/sexual/gender-based violence. 
• Minimum of five years previous employment experience working with clients one to one in a supportive role
• Minimum of three years previous employment experience in supporting staff who work with women and children in crisis. 
• Experience of liaising with other professionals and agencies in a referral and advocacy role 
• Experience in the efficient management of caseload and prioritising required interventions
• Flexibility in delivery of the Service 
• Good communication skills
• Experience of the systems in relation to family law, housing, social welfare, health, mental health, disabilities.
• Ability to engage in reflective practice and work from a trauma informed care lens. 
• Good IT skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and have good leadership skills
• Self-starter with ability to work on own initiative
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care framework
• Knowledge of the relevant legislation and legal process