PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria. Section 1 - Essential Criteria The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Professional Membership Hold a professional social work qualification or be qualified in accordance with JNC for education and library boards circular no 38 New entrants to the Education Welfare Service (EA) must possess the Social Work qualification i.e. Degree in Social Work or equivalent as recognised by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC). Be registered or provide evidence of their application to register with NISCC. Shortlisting by Application Form Experience Have a minimum of three years’ experience working as an Educational Welfare Officer and/or other relevant experience in a social care setting. Shortlisting by Application Form Other The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion. Shortlisting by Application Form S ection 2 - Essential Criteria The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge Knowledge of the key responsibilities and work of the Education Welfare Service. Knowledge of childcare legislation and of child protection procedure. Interview Skills/ Abilities In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of\: Operational management & leadership skills. Ability to prioritise work & to meet deadlines. Effective communication & negotiation skills. Flexibility & tolerance in the face of potential competing demands. Ability to keep abreast of & contribute to current & future trends which may impact on Education Welfare Service. Ability to work effectively & sensitively with colleagues & people from diverse organisations & members of the public. Interview Values Orientation Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here. Interview Section 3 - Desirable Criteria Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Experience Hold a management qualification. Have experience of managing staff. Shortlisting by Application Form Our Values Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential. DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further information can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer JOB DESCRIPTION REPORTS TO: Deputy Chief Education Welfare Officer Role of Senior Educational Welfare Officer To be responsible to the Chief Education Welfare Officer for ensuring that the statutory responsibilities of the Education Authority in regard to education by attendance at school or otherwise are met through the provision of education welfare services to children, parents and schools in an area team. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TEAM MANAGEMENT To advise, support and direct members of an education welfare team; To provide regular, planned and structured supervision on an individual and group basis to Education Welfare Officers; To support Education Welfare Officers with case management; To monitor, review and evaluate the work of the team in the light of the service development plan; To use regular team meetings to encourage continuous evaluation and development of the service based on the aims and objectives of the Education Welfare Service; To assess and report on the performance of individual Education Welfare Officers within the context of the staff appraisal scheme approved by the Education Authority; To promote personal and professional development to meet the needs of the individual, the team and the service and in keeping with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council; To regularly review the caseloads of Education Welfare Officers to ensure an equitable distribution of casework within their team; To ensure that Education Welfare Officers are aware of and follow personal safety procedures; To ensure that relevant legislation, policies and procedures are followed by Education Welfare Officers; To consult with the Chief Education Welfare Officer on staff welfare and disciplinary matters; To manage referrals and case work. SERVICE MANAGEMENT As part of the Senior Education Welfare team to: Respond to the introduction of changing trends impacting upon service delivery and ensure implementation at team level; Develop adequate recording systems, ensure appropriate records are maintained and that an auditing system is in place; As part of the Education Welfare Service, Senior Management Team to deputise, where appropriate in the absence of Chief Education Welfare Officer/Deputy Chief Education Welfare Officer; Develop and maintain a strategy for promoting personal safety within the area team; Identify issues impacting on service delivery and to develop remedial strategies; Develop and promote a range of strategies aimed at assisting schools with the management of pupil attendance and encouraging regular school attendance; Develop and maintain systems to ensure effective communication within the area team and the Education Welfare Service, with the Education Authority and other agencies; Develop and disseminate to parents, schools and other agencies, information about the Education Welfare Service and related topics. Assume sole responsibility for the safe keeping monitoring and recording of a petty cash system within the team office. SERVICE DELIVERY To prepare, participate in and implement agreed outcomes of the supervision process with line manager; To be responsible for the delivery of an effective Education Welfare Service within an area team; To ensure that children, young people and families are offered early intervention through appropriate assessment and the development, implementation and review of action plans; To assist and advise Education Welfare Officers and schools with the development of alternative education plans to meet the needs of disaffected children and young people; To assess and review the changing needs of clients within a team area and to advise the Chief Education Welfare Officer; To develop interdisciplinary and multi-agency partnerships with other Education Authority services and external agencies to ensure effective service delivery; To consult with children, young people, their families, schools and other agencies about the service delivered by their team. LEGAL INTERVENTIONS Through supervision with Education Welfare Officers to review case work and recommend parent prosecutions or applications for Education Supervision Orders when appropriate; To be responsible for ensuring that Education Welfare Officers produce court reports on time, in the approved format and to the standard required by the Education Authority and the Courts; To prosecute cases in the Courts on behalf of the Education Authority as required; To convene and chair education strategy and education planning meetings; To provide information about and advise Joint Legal Services about cases that are proceeding to Court for Education Supervision Orders; In consultation with the Chief Education Welfare Officer, to allocate Education Supervision Orders to the most appropriate supervising officers and to ensure that the instructions of the Court are carried out; To assess and review the effectiveness of Education Supervision Orders; To ensure that Education Welfare Officers are conversant with the legislation and regulations relating to child employment; To have a good knowledge of current and proposed education and child care legislation and the implications for the work of the Education Welfare Service. DEVELOPMENTAL WORK To develop and maintain areas of specialism and project work to meet the changing needs of children, young people and their families; To develop and promote creative methods of intervention to provide opportunities for inclusion for all marginalized young people in education; To develop local community partnerships to support the participation of newcomer families in education; To participate on regional working groups aimed at developing standardized procedures and practices across the region; To develop a research based approach to reviewing and evaluating education welfare practice. CHILD PROTECTION To ensure Education Welfare Officers receive child protection training at induction and continue to follow Education Authority policy and procedures in relation to child protection; To represent the Education Authority at multi-agency child protection meetings and child protection case conferences/core group meetings as required. To participate in local forums on domestic violence and implement initiatives at team level. TRAINING To provide for the induction and training of new Education Welfare Officers; To promote staff development and deliver in-service training for Education Welfare Officers based on the changing needs of the Education Authority, the Education Welfare Service, the area team and the individual; To provide on-site supervision for social work students to the standard required by providers of social work training; To provide on-site supervision for Education Welfare Officers undertaking post-qualifying awards. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.