Community Leader/Service Manager

Community Leader /Service Manager - L'Arche KilkennyL’Arche Kilkenny is looking for a Community Leader/ Service manager to lead this vibrant and diverse community of people with and without intellectual disabilities into its next stage of development. This is a full-time, permanent, pensionable position for a basic 39-hour week. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 9-5 with some evening and weekend meetings and events, some on call, and some overnight residential meetings and events. There is a 6 month probationary period applying to the employment.Main responsibilities:Leading and managing in a manner which is in harmony with the ethos, mission and values of L’Arche Ireland.Seeing that the needs of the people with intellectual disabilities are met and that their gifts and place are promoted in the community and in the wider local environment.Effectively representing L’Arche Kilkenny both publicly and in the context of L’Arche International, fulfilling its mission.Ensuring the strategic development of L’Arche Kilkenny and managing its operations.Carrying out all community functions in a collaborative and fully consultative manner which promotes mutually transformative relationships and is in line with the policies and procedures of the L’Arche Kilkenny and of L’Arche IrelandPlease see appendix 1 for the leadership principles of L’Arche.Key Performance Measures:To build and develop a vibrant community life.To guarantee the quality of care and support provided for people with intellectual disabilities.Effective management of all resources, especially HR and financial resources.Work with feedback from the CEO, Board, team members and key external contacts.Maintaining a professional approach to work at all times.Projecting a professional and reputable image for L’Arche Kilkenny and acting as an ambassador for the organisation.Maintaining and developing the community in line with the founding vision and the mission and identity of L’Arche.Being part of the leadership team of L’Arche Ireland and engaging in meetings and events.Detailed Responsibilities:LeadershipTo ensure the successful implementation of L’Arche Kilkenny’s Mandate priorities and Annual Plan of objectives; doing so collaboratively, and ensuring effective and timely review and reporting.Lead, manage and motivate the team, ensuring the assessment and evaluation of performance regularly and providing direction, support, supervision and appraisal of performance.Work with the CEO of L’Arche Ireland as part of the leadership team on the development and review of regional policies and procedures and ensure implementation at local level.Attend residential meetings of the L’Arche Ireland Leadership team, two to three time a year.Understand the requirements of regulatory bodies and relevant legislation to ensure that all applicable standards are met and ensure that quality assurance and performance management systems meet the requirements of external stakeholders, for example HIQA, HSE and L’Arche Ireland.To work closely with and supervise your direct reports, delegating responsibility as agreed on appointment, or in any area of running the Community that is required from time to time.To facilitate the life of the Community through establishing appropriate group or individual meetings, encouraging each person to have a voice and to share their concerns and joys.To regularly spend time in all parts of the Community, acting as a role model. This includes having meals in the houses and taking part in community celebrations.Be on call as part of the on-call rota.Represent L’Arche Kilkenny externally and work in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations.Develop and ensure diverse community supports and outreach relationships that are connected and fully aligned on mission and practice.Communicate the vision of community and make known the gifts of people with disabilities to audiences beyond L’Arche.Provision of support to people with Intellectual disabilitiesEnsure the provision and delivery of high quality personalised support to each Core Member with an intellectual disability in line with L’Arche values, and all external regulatory requirements.Foster an attitude of respect which encourages autonomy and maximises independence and individual choice.To enable each person with an intellectual disability to feel at home, encouraging both individuality and belonging. Encouraging the growth and well-being of each person and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.To obtain the necessary professional support and advice to maintain the highest standards of health and well-being within the community.ManagementWorking with the PIC, ensure effective monitoring of support delivery, this includes providing and responding to data requests, and audits and regulatory/contractual requirements. Report promptly to the HIQA and other appropriate statutory regulators and the CEO of L’Arche Ireland on any failures or critical incidents identified.Ensure that all policy, procedures and practices meet regulatory requirements and align with the mission, principles, values and objectives of L’Arche International by:Regularly reviewing internal current policies and procedures, and identifying areas of continual improvement and best practice.Liaising with Core Members, Assistants, Support Workers, CEO and the L’Arche Ireland leadership team to develop new policies and procedures as required and/or requested.Ensure that an annual training and development plan is in place, and the delivery of community appropriate formation and skills training.Develop, plan, deliver and review L’Arche Kilkenny’s IT, Social Media and PR Systems.Participate in and represent L’Arche Kilkenny at professional networking events and forums, as agreed with the CEO and the local board.Manage the community in line with the principle of Leadership in L’Arche, including subsidiarity, which would include, for example, clarity of roles and appropriate delegation.Investigate and respond to any complaints from Core Members and others, and conduct investigations as required in line with organisational policies.Undertake disciplinary and grievance procedures in accordance with the organisation’s policies, liaising with the CEO where necessary.Resource ManagementEnsure the Community has a sound financial basis, effective financial management systems and a budget that serves the priorities of the Community. Take responsibility for negotiating funding, supported by the CEO, and for keeping a balanced budget, working closely with the administrator and the Treasurer.Manage the annual budget and implement on-going monitoring of organisational performance against budget, to facilitate upwards communication to the Board of Directors and CEO.Encourage innovation from within your team, to find new areas for support delivery, and develop new approaches whilst appropriately managing risk.Help to identify the key issues that will affect your Community and proactively assist in developing appropriate plans to meet these.Creating CommunityCreate and continually maintain the conditions needed for all Core Members of the Community to experience their independence in a controlled and safe environment, and to have a strong sense of belonging within L’Arche Kilkenny.Have a clear vision that facilitates quality relationships between group members and an atmosphere of attentiveness, listening, respect and empathy.Be aware of the dynamics present within the team; and ensure team building and other formation is set up regularly. Support teamwork throughout the community, working with each person’s strengths and gifts.Foster a spirit of celebration in accordance with the traditions of the Community, and ensure that community events take place and are joyful and nourishing.Foster a spirit of welcome towards visitors, new assistants, friends, family, neighbours and professionals.Ensure integration into the local community and society; maintaining and supporting links with friends and family.Human ResourcesIdentify the competencies required to fulfil the objectives of the service, and determine person specifications, and work closely with your line managers to coordinate selection and recruitment, which will secure quality assistants/ employees.Maintain appropriate Human Resource support systems such that all assistants are welcomed and work within a supportive environment, and are encouraged to develop their skills and abilities within a framework which sets clear objectives and constantly assesses performance.This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of our needs at any time.