Background to the position: 

The Community Families Programme National Oversight and Support Group wishes to engage a suitably qualified person to provide support for the implementation and roll out of the Community Families Programme

Overview 

Following a National Review of the Community Mothers Programme, the Sláintecare Integration Fund and matched funding has enabled the development of Community Families, an updated, evidence-based and integrated national home visiting programme which aims to improve outcomes for children and families in pregnancy and early childhood. 

Community Families is a community home visiting programme, which puts parents first, empowering them through trusted relationships with a Home Visitor during pregnancy and their child’s early years. It provides information and, support and builds friendships and connectivity in local communities. 

The Community Families National Oversight and Support Group, co-chaired by Tusla and the HSE, was established in 2022 and has responsibility for the oversight, implementation and development of the Community Families Programme. It now wishes to support the current 7 Community Mothers Programme operational sites to transition to the standardised Community Families model. 

Current sites are in 

• Dublin Docklands 
  
• Kerry
• Longford / Westmeath
• Laois / Offaly
• North Tipperary
• South Tipperary and 
• Limerick. 

A Readiness Assessment of the current seven sites has been commissioned and is due to report in September 2023. A Client Relationship Management (CRM) system is currently being implemented in the sites and is due to be fully operational by January 2024. 

For further background information see here.

Aims and Principles of the Community Families Programme: 

• To support the special bond between parents and their children and recognise that this is at the core of subsequent child and family outcomes from health and wellbeing to learning and succeeding in life. 
• To improve children’s lives by developing trusted relationships between experienced Home Visitors working in partnership with parents. This is done through home visiting and promoting the development of supportive community networks. 
• This professionally delivered Programme is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach; instead, it has the built-in flexibility to respond to all families and their unique needs and circumstances. The Programme empowers families to develop confidence as they grow and build their local peer support networks, accessing supports and services within their local community 

Community Families Values and Principles:

The practice of Community Families is a culture, a way of interacting and being with all families and partner services. 

Defining this culture are the values and principles of the Programme. These are embedded in practice through training, ongoing reflection and recording and documenting how the Programme is delivered. Community Families know that families thrive when they are supported in a way that meets them where they are at – in their homes, in their communities and their day to day lives. 

The following principles and approaches underpin Community Families and the work of the Home Visitors. 

• Progressive Universalism 
• Prevention and Early Intervention 
• Infant Mental Health 
• Co-Production with parents 
• Whole Child – Whole Family 
• Integrated working and no wrong door 
• Trauma-Informed Practice 
• Making every contact count 
• Community connectedness and participation 
• Children's Rights 
• Safe, secure, protected and thriving 

Policy context 

Community Families is aligned with the following key policy developments:

• First 5: The Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and Their Families (DCEDIY)
• Supporting Parents: The National Model for Parenting Support Services (DCEDIY)
• National Approach to Home Visiting (DCEDIY)
• Sláintecare / Healthy Ireland (DoH)
• National Healthy Childhood Programme (HSE) 
• Women and Infants Health Programme (HSE)
• Parenting Support Strategy (Tusla) 
• Child Poverty and Wellbeing Programme Office (Department of the Taoiseach). 

Reporting to:              

• Day to day basis: The Director, Early Learning Programme, National College of Ireland
• Strategic issues: Joint Chairs of National Oversight and Support Group(National Programme Lead, Healthy Childhood Programme, HSE and National Parenting Lead, Tusla)

Key Relationships:

• The seven current sites due to transition to the Community Families Programme
• National Oversight and Support Group members 
• National Support Officer, Prevention, Partnership and Family Support, Tusla 
• Early Learning Programme, National College of Ireland
• The wide range of stakeholders in the Community Families Programme
• Potential new Community Families sites.
• Project Support Officer, National Healthy Childhood Programme, HSE

Key Responsibilities:

1. The priority for the post is to support the implementation of Community Families in the current 7 Community Mothers Programme sites, based on the report of the Readiness Assessment Process by: 

a) Supporting each site in the implementation of their Site Implementation Plan. 

b) Supporting the delivery of Community Families Training across the sites including: 

• Developing an agreed programme of training 
• Supporting the current Coordinators in the planning and delivery of training including their participation in Train the Trainer Training as necessary 
• Supporting the sites to access recommended external training
• Supporting site participation in Communities of Practice for Coordinators and for Home Visitors.
• Adapting to developments, where additional funding becomes available for new sites.

2. Working with the Oversight Group to support the development and establishment of any additional sites if and when funding becomes available: 

• Providing information and reports to the Oversight Group in respect of budget requirements and develop proposals for additional funding 
• Engaging with the national Community Families database to ensure that data is extracted to make the case for implementation and replication.  

3. Ensuring regular and effective communication with the range of key stakeholders in Community Families, including the existing sites, the Oversight and Support Group and all other stakeholders with a strategic interest in the Community Families Programme.

4. Monitoring the Community Families database and maintaining knowledge of local service user feedback 

5. Maintaining an awareness of  changes to parenting support needs identified with sites and relevant changes to  local agency policies, bringing to the attention of the Oversight and Support Group any proposals for amendments to the Community Families model and its implementation. 

6. Acting as a resource to potential new sites, providing advice and support on the preparatory steps towards the establishment of new Community Families sites.

7. These functions and responsibilities will  develop and change as the work progresses. 

Skills and Experience Required: 

Essential: 

• An energetic, confident and pro-active individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• A relevant 3rd level qualification
• Experience of family support including working with young children and families in their communities 
• An understanding of organisational change and strategies to support it
• An ability to plan and deliver training and to support others in the delivery of training 
• Excellent leadership, administrative and organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders 
• Excellent knowledge of and skills in relevant IT systems
• A flexible approach to work.

Desirable:

• Experience of delivering innovative early intervention and prevention programmes
• Knowledge and experience of home visiting programmes
• Experience in using data from Client Relationship Management (CRM) or similar systems. 

Employment Conditions:

Contract: 

This is a fixed term,  commencing in September 2023 and ending in December 2024.

Salary: 

€40,600 - €60,903 pro rata (Senior Specialist/Supervisor)

Hours: 

3-day week position

Annual Leave: 

24 days per annum (pro rata)

Location:

There is flexibility in relation to where the person is based subject to the person being able to visit sites and attend meetings in person on a regular basis.  

National College of Ireland’s mission is to widen participation in higher education and unlock each student's potential. The College offers students the opportunity to acquire the skills and self-confidence to change their lives, contribute to a knowledge based economy and become responsible, active citizens. 

Application Process:

To apply please e-mail your cover letter and CV both in PDF format ONLY, quoting reference number: NCI 1065 to: recruitment-cdolan@ncirl.ie by 5:00 pm, 11th  August 2023.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to the Community Families Implementation Specialist, are based on the current stated role and objective of the College. These functions and responsibilities may alter in line with any change in the role and objectives of the NCI. 

The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting and must not have any convictions under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

The Importance of Confidentiality

We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process. 

Candidates' Obligations

In submitting a completed Curriculum Vitae and supporting documentation, candidates are declaring:

• That all the particulars furnished in their application are true and correct without omission and that they are aware of the qualifications and particulars for this position.
• That to the best of their knowledge that there is nothing in relation to their conduct, character or personal background of any nature that would adversely affect the position of trust in which they would be placed by virtue of this appointment.
• Their irrevocable consent to NCI making such enquiries as deemed necessary in respect of their suitability for the post in respect of which their application is made.
• Their acceptance and confirmation of the entitlement of NCI, as appropriate to, reject their application, or to terminate their employment (in the event of a contract of employment having been entered into on foot of this competition) if they have omitted to furnish NCI with any information relevant to their application or their continued employment or where they have made any false statement or misrepresentation relevant to this application or their continuing employment with the College. #

Candidates should note that they may be required to submit documentary evidence in support of any particulars given by them in their application for the post.

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NCI conducts recruitment processes to fill vacancies within the college. When applying for these competitions applicants are asked to submit a range of documents, e.g., a completed application form, CV and/or a personal statement or cover letter. For the purposes of recruitment activities, we will not collect any personal data that we do not need to assess your candidature for a role with us.

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Applicants can make a complaint to our internal Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

NCI Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1

Tel (Direct): + 353 1 4498 523 ; Tel (Reception): + 353 1 4498 500

And/or make a complaint to the relevant authority

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National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is a Member of the Athena SWAN Charter. NCI is committed to serving our diverse community and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.