Sensational Kids is recruiting a Therapy Team Leader for our Claremorris and Clones child development centres. These are new roles and will be based at our regional Child Development Centres which are located in:

1. Claremorris, Co Mayo
2. Clones, Co Monaghan

 

About Sensational Kids

Sensational Kids is an award-winning social enterprise, that has already changed the lives of over 9,000 children, saving their families over €2 million in therapy fees. We provide vital front-line therapeutic supports for children with additional needs, ensuring that these children in need have access to vital supports when and where they need them.

Sensational Kids is currently in a period of high growth as we deliver our plans to grow and scale our social impact by increasing the number of children supported each year. With the infrastructure now in place through our four regional child development centres, these new Team Leader Roles will take responsibility for these centres to grow and reach their potential to transform the lives of children in need in the local community.

 

The Role

The primary purpose of this position is to take responsibility for the day-to-day operations of therapy services, as well as leading the growth of your regional child development centre. There are two roles available, with a Therapy Team Leader Role in place at our child development centres in

• Clones, Co Monaghan and
• Claremorris, Co Mayo

With this additional capacity in each region, children and families will have increased access to our expanding therapy services, enabling children with additional needs in your community to thrive and reach their potential.

The Therapy Team Leader role is open to experienced paediatric occupational/speech & language therapists who have a passion for transforming the lives of children, and who have the drive and initiative to make things happen and make a difference.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Education & Training
• Health & Safety
• Leadership & Accountability
• Operations Management
• Performance & Financial Management
• Service Delivery
• Service Planning & Development
• Staff Management

 

Education & Training

Monitor and research new developments & practices in Paediatric Therapy promoting a culture of on-going best practice.

Ensuring the provision of professional development, learning and development plans for all therapy staff members through onsite supervision and performance management processes.

Ensure that all therapy staff are compliant with the relevant mandatory training appropriate to their position and role.

Delivery of training to schools and organisations in your locality

Be aware of current developments and issues in Paediatric Therapy by reading current literature and keeping abreast of new developments, attending ‘in-house’ seminars, lectures, and courses when possible and as appropriate in consultation with the Clinical Services Manager.

 

Health & Safety

To work in a safe manner with due care and attention to safety of self and other authorised persons in the workplace.

Carry out monthly safety checks on all therapy equipment and report to the Clinical Manager

Carry out monthly safety / maintenance checks in all areas of the Centre

Carry out risk assessments and contribute to the maintenance of the risk register

Ensure that mandatory health & safety training is carried out for all employees

Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff in line with company policies and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Maintain and review the company’s safety statement to promote a positive health and safety environment in conjunction with risk management

 

Leadership & Accountability

Ensure integration of the mission and values of the organisation in the work of the Child Development Centre

Develop a shared sense of commitment and participation among therapy staff in the planning and development of the service

Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and mutual co-operation in the achievement of the highest possible standards of professional practice and maximum efficiency

Work closely with the Clinical Services Manager in the development of services and consult on issues of concern

Keep up to date with developments and standards in professional practice

Maintain good collaborative working relationships and communications with appropriate statutory, professional organisations

Lead the development and refinement of policies and procedures relevant to the services and contribute to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of Therapy Services

To have an excellent knowledge of Sensational Kids policies and  ensure that company policies are adhered to at all times

To always act as an ambassador for Sensational Kids

 

Operations Management

The management and delivery of high-quality therapy services, through a family centred approach

Responsibility for the smooth running of the regions Therapeutic Services

Day-to-day operational management of teams ensuring effective service delivery

Developing good relationships and working closely with all members of staff to work, with a particular focus on contributing to a healthy team dynamic

Take a lead role in ensuring that Therapeutic Services are provided to the highest professional standard

Ensure, in so far as is practicable, that staff have the right facilities, equipment and resources for the safe and proper discharge of their duties

Ensure work schedules and plans are created to provide for the most effective and efficient deployment of staff and other resources in response to organisational priorities and goals

Manage waiting lists for therapy and allocate caseloads appropriately to the therapy team

Develop, implement and evaluate operational policies, protocols and guidelines in accordance with standards of best practice and in compliance with statutory and risk management requirements

Work closely with the Head of Marketing and the Clinical Service manager to assist with the promotion and awareness of therapy programs and initiatives

Work together with the Head of Marketing and the Clinical Service manager to contribute to media activities

 

Performance & Financial Management

In collaboration with the relevant managers, contribute to initiatives and monitor/track performance targets and develop internal comparative performance monitoring information to support and inform decision-making within the organisation

Provide support, mentoring, onsite supervision and performance management to the staff team, as and when required, and report/work in consultation with the Clinical Services Manager

Work with functional heads to develop mechanisms to ensure that the Therapy service is measured accurately and fully costed where appropriate

Ensure that all data regarding the day-to-day activity of the therapy service is of the highest quality

Monitoring and reporting of KPIs for your centre

Monitoring and reporting of Clinical Outcome Measurements for your centre

 

Service Delivery

Ensuring that work schedules and work programmes are created to provide for the most effective and efficient deployment of staff and resources

To carry a caseload by engaging and working with the more complex therapy cases and contribute to the social impact and service delivery within the centre

Facilitating, developing, and implementing, in consultation with staff, an annual service plan for your regional child development centre. This may incorporate the identification of longer-term service needs and objectives

 

Service Planning & Development

Lead the growth and development of your regional therapy services to meet the organisations social impact targets

Leading on development and planning tasks as required to maximise the number of children supported

Lead changes in work practices, procedures, techniques, or technologies having regard to developments in the field of Paediatric Therapy and in accordance with agreed core standards and best practice

Participate and co-operate with any internal or external evaluation of the service

Organising staff meetings and recording of meeting minutes

Maintain existing and develop new relationships with several key service development partners within the local community

Be the point of contact to provide information about therapy services to community groups

To coordinate and facilitate, within Therapy Services, quality and outcome improvement programmes as required in line with best practice

Lead projects which improve the quality of services provided evidenced by improved performance

Contribute to the strategic and development planning of the wider organisation

Monitor customer satisfaction and co-ordinate and facilitate quality improvement programmes in line with best practice within the service

In conjunction with the Clinical Services Manager, ensuring the fulfilment of day-to-day operations that underpin the Service Delivery Plans relevant to your region’s service

Plan and organise service development initiatives such as therapy groups and virtual drop-in clinics for your centre to ensure families are provided with a range of family centred therapy services to support the therapeutic needs of their children

 

Staff Management:

In liaison with the Clinical Services Manager, recruit, develop and lead a skilled team of paediatric Therapy staff and create a positive working environment

Responsibility for the induction of new team members

Ensure the optimum and effective use of staff through efficient planning, rostering, skill mix, workload measurement, and the prioritisation of service delivery within available resources

Foster a high level of morale among Therapy staff by effective motivation and communication

Participate in the formulation of relevant policies & procedures and be familiar with regulations / legislation regarding disciplinary and grievance procedures implementing the appropriate course of action in accordance with the relevant organisational policies

Undertake clear line management and direction of staff within the teams

Working closely with the clinical admin team to ensure efficient operational procedures are in place for therapy appointments and management of waiting lists

 

 

 

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and should be regarded as an outline of the areas of accountability within the role and to provide guidelines within which individuals work at the present time.

The job description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. The post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time, and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential.

The post holders will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation

 

Essential Qualifications

 

Be registered on the Occupational Therapists Register maintained by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU

Or

Be registered on the Speech & Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech & Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU

 

Training in Ayres Sensory Integration or a third level qualification in healthcare management is also desirable but not essential.

 

Essential Experience

• Have at least five years full time (or an aggregate of 5 years fulltime) post qualification clinical paediatric OT/SLT therapy experience in working with children with neurodevelopmental delays (autism spectrum disorders, AD/HD, dyspraxia, down syndrome, sensory processing disorders)
• Evidence of continuing professional development in paediatric therapy knowledge, skills and practice.
• A good general understanding of the roles within multidisciplinary paediatric therapy teams such as occupational therapy, speech & language therapy and psychology
• A good understanding of the paediatric therapy assessment process
• Competent and proficient IT skills
• Demonstrated experienced in case-managing, workloads and waiting lists

Also Desirable:

• Previous experience managing people
• Previous experience in paediatric therapy service development

 

Other Requirements

• Current Driving Licence with access to a car for any offsite visits
• Be available to work 35 hours per week Monday to Friday
• Be available for occasional evening work if required for training, information or promotional events

 

Attributes

• Demonstrates a high level of paediatric Occupational and Speech & Language Therapy knowledge and evidence based clinical practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
• Able to clearly communicate information and ideas to a range of audiences in both written and oral form, listen to others in an unbiased manner and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Possess the ability to engage and work with vulnerable and complex children and families
• A demonstrated ability to take initiative in the workplace, in particular to improve the lives of children
• Demonstrated passion for paediatric OT/SLT

 

Reporting Relationships

Ultimate accountability is to the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, however the position will report directly to the Clinical Services Manager

 

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of €65,000 per annum
• 22-25 days annual leave
• Free car parking
• Staff uniform
• Flexible working hours

 

Hours

This is a  full-time permanent post working five days per week (35 hours) with flexible working hours options to choose your own hours

 

Term of Employment

Permanent post

 

Location

There are 2 Therapy Team Leader posts available; one at each of the following locations:

1. Sensational Kids Child Development Centre, Claremorris, Co Mayo
2. Sensational Kids Child Development Centre, Clones, Co Monaghan

 

Start Date

These roles will commence as soon as the most suitable candidates are available