Support Officer / Co-ordinator (RIGHT SUPPORT; RIGHT TIME)

Respond is a leading Approved Housing Body and service provider working across Ireland for 40 years. Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high-quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community. This means working proactively with partners to create sustainable and vibrant communities where people want to live.

Respond is committed to equal employment and growing a diverse workforce. If you do not 'tick every box' there are likely other valuable attributes and skills that you have, that would make you a great fit for the organisation. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, nationalities, genders and from anyone who has historically faced social exclusion. If you feel this role is for you, then please apply.

Role: Support Officer / Co-ordinator (RIGHT SUPPORT; RIGHT TIME)
Location: One of Donegal, Louth, Leitrim / Cavan
Reporting to: National Manager for Family Support and Specialist Services
Terms: Full-time 39 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Contract: 3 year contract (subject to funding)
Salary: €45,229-€55,000 gross per annum (Please note that offers are typically made at the beginning to mid-range of the advertised salary, based on skills and experience)

Job Purpose: To promote positive mental wellbeing, increase resilience and prevent the deterioration of existing mental and emotional distress in people, families, and communities.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
Managerial Duties:

1. Supervise and provide guidance to 2 case workers ensuring adherence to best practices and organisational policies.
2. Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development for team members.
3. Coordinate team meetings and facilitate communication between case workers.
4. Oversee the implementation of the project and provide direct line management support to Support Officers.
5. Represent Respond in the programme.
6. Assist with the marketing and promotion of the RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME programme and utilise a range of platforms to ensure accessibility and equity of access to the service, including drop-in clinics, live web chats, e-mail and phone referrals.

Training and Supervision:

1. Support the organisation and delivery of training sessions for staff.
2. Attend relevant and essential training as required by the project. Participate in and facilitate reflective practice groups.
3. Engage in regular reflective practice and supervision sessions to maintain personal and professional development.
4. Develop/manage an operational and well-functioning staff team and ensure team meetings & case conferences are undertaken, run/participate in the planning and delivery of staff team days and review days as required, in conjunction with the Family Support & Special Projects Manager.

Service Delivery:

1. Provide support to individuals with mild/moderate mental health needs to encourage and facilitate self-help, enabling individuals to better understand and manage their mental health through prevention and early intervention.
2. Provide Advocacy and Support for Service Users.
3. Facilitate the delivery of Psycho-social group support sessions.
4. Collation and dissemination of appropriate information including delivery of digital information and access.
5. Deliver Mindfulness and stress reduction programmes.
6. Provide Brief Solution Focussed interventions.
7. Delivery of Mental Health Recovery programmes.
8. Provide advocacy and support for Service users.
9. Develop a single point of referral for Service Users.
10. Design and deliver small group work training and information sessions on a range of relevant topics.
11. Manage caseloads and prioritise workload as required.
12. Provide information and signposting to family members and carers.
13. Liaise, maintain and develop positive working relationships with relevant professionals.
14. Maintain timely and accurate case notes, providing formal and informal written and verbal reports on clients and casework as required.
15. Work alongside the Support Officers to ensure timely and accurate reporting and record keeping.
16. Deliver training to clients and service users as required.
17. Facilitate and participate in team meetings.
18. Assist in the collation of client evaluation feedback as required.

Documentation and Reporting:

1. Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, documenting assessments, care plans, progress notes, and interventions.
2. Prepare regular reports on client outcomes, programme effectiveness, and service utilisation for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Ensure compliance with confidentiality and data protection regulations in all documentation and reporting activities.
4. Work alongside the Family Support & Special Services Manager in ensuring timely and accurate reporting and record keeping.
5. Contribute to the RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME evaluation process.

Personal Development:

1. Attend relevant & essential training as required.
2. Participate in supervision.
3. Keep up to date with best practice and relevant legislation.
4. Participate in and facilitate reflective practice groups.

Internal Systems:

1. Collate and provide monthly and annual monitoring information as required.
2. Maintain confidentiality of information.
3. Ensure GDPR regulations are complied with.

General:

1. Respond flexibly and positively to changes in requirements of this post. The Co-ordinator Support Officer will be expected to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the role and support other services when required.
2. Treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner in accordance with the Dignity at Work Procedure.
3. Demonstrate commitment to Respond by regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated.
4. Work from a Trauma Informed perspective.
5. Take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by your actions.
6. Endeavour to ensure the ongoing confidence of the public.
7. Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
8. Comply with all relevant Respond Policies & Procedures.

Person Specification:

1. Have a 3rd level qualification in Mental Health / Social Studies.
2. Experience in Supervising Staff, providing support and leadership, managing caseloads, coordinating workloads, and addressing issues as they arise.
3. Have at least 3 years' experience working in a Mental Health or Community Development / Engagement role.
4. Experience in managing projects.
5. Experience of designing and delivering group programmes.
6. Have experience of providing Solution Focussed Interventions / Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or similar programmes.
7. Have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
8. A Full Clean Driving Licence is essential.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested from time to time and to reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.

RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME
Objective: Promote positive mental wellbeing, increase resilience, and prevent mental and emotional distress in people, families, and communities.

Partnership: Delivered by a unique collaboration of voluntary organisations from both sides of the border, including Inspire, Mencap, Cedar, Apex, Respond, ARC, Depaul, Red Cross, and SCI, with 430 years of combined experience.

Target Beneficiaries: People in Northern Ireland and Border counties of Ireland, focusing on underserved communities such as those in areas of multiple deprivation, people with disabilities, and refugees.

Goals:

1. Promote help-seeking behaviors
2. Create connected, healthier communities
3. Reduce emotional distress
4. Develop a person-centered, trauma-informed mental health service.

Three Elements of Support:

1. Prevention, Self-Help, and Self-Management: Psycho-social group support sessions, Digital mental health interventions, Mindfulness and Stress Reduction sessions.
2. Extended Brief and Specialist Interventions: Solution-focused intervention, Mental Health Recovery programs, Advocacy Support, Counselling, and CBT.
3. Cooperation and Capacity Building: Single Point of Referral, Single Client Management System, Shared community of practice.

Staff Development: Access to personal and professional development opportunities, training, knowledge exchanges, and reflective practice.

Support: Funded through PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MONDAY 24th MARCH 2025.
PLEASE NOTE INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MARCH 31st 2025.