Job Title: Behavioural Specialist Type of Service: Adult Disability Services Location: Fermoy, Cork (with travel to our centres around Co. Cork) About this role: TheBehavioural Specialistroleis designed to provide advanced behavioural support and intervention strategies for children with intellectual disabilities, autism, and complex behavioural needs. This role is for our growing services in the Cork area. The core purpose of the post is within a person centred philosophy, to be responsible for the overall management of the assigned services, working in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team. They will ensure services to persons with a disability are provided within a relationship which is based on respect and equality and that promotes their independence. They will also be responsible for the supervision and assessment of staff under his/her direction and to take a leadership role in clinical governance including quality assurance, practice development and clinical practice. This role is critical in improvingquality of life, independence, and social integrationfor children in Talbot Group's care. Essential Qualifications and Experience: Candidates must meet the following criteria on the closing date: Qualification: Masters degree or higher in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Behavioural Science, PBS, or an equivalent field. Additional Certifications in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), or trauma informed care Essential Experience: Clinical/BehaviouralExperience: Minimum 5+ yearsof hands-on experience working with individuals withintellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or mental health challenges. Proven track record indesigning and implementing behaviour support plans. Leadership & Supervision: Experiencesupervising and mentoringbehaviour specialists or ABA therapists. Ability totrain staff and familieson behavioural strategies. Assessment & Intervention Skills: Expertise in conductingfunctional behaviour assessment, ABC assessments, and data driven interventions. Familiarity withevidence-based practices (EBPs)in positive behaviour support Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge: Understanding ofHIQA, disability rights laws, and ethical guidelines Experience working withinresidential, community based, or clinical settings. Additional Preferred Skills: Stronganalytical and problem-solvingabilities. Excellentcommunication and report writingskills. Experience withmultidisciplinary teams(psychiatrists, occupational therapists, etc.). Proficiency inelectronic health records (EHR) and data tracking software. Desirable Experience: Specialised Populations: Experience working withchildren and young adults with complex needs(e.g. ID, ASD,+ mental health conditions). Familiarity withneurodiversity affirming approaches. Advanced Clinical Skills: Background inpositive behavioural supportand behaviours of concern. Leadership & Program Development: Previous involvement indeveloping behavioural programs or policieswithin an organization. Experienceauditing or improving service qualityin residential/care settings. Participation inresearch or publishingin behavioural science. Technical & Data Proficiency: Advanced skills inbehavioural data analysis. Community & Multi-Agency Work: Collaboration withschools, social services, mental health services Experience inadvocacy or policy workrelated to disability rights. Cultural Competency: Ability to work effectively withdiverse populations(e.g., different ethnicities, LGBTQ+ individuals). Multilingual skills (if relevant to the service area) Soft Skills & Traits: Strongconflict resolution and de-escalationabilities. Highemotional intelligenceand resilience in high stress situations. Creative problem solving forcomplex behavioural cases. Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Advanced Behavioural Support Develop and implementindividualized behaviour support plans(BSPs) based on assessments. Useevidence based practices(e.g., Positive Behaviour Support, ABA) to manage behaviours of concern. Leadership & Mentorship Provideguidance and supervisionto behavioural specialists and care staff. Lead training sessions onde-escalation techniques, trauma informed care, and proactive strategies. Collaboration & Multidisciplinary Work Work closely withpsychologists, social workers, teachers, and familiesto ensure a holistic approach. Liaise with external agencies (e.g., HSE, schools, therapists) to coordinate care. Monitoring & Evaluation Track behavioural progress throughdata analysis and reporting. Adjust intervention strategies based on ongoing assessments. Safeguarding & Advocacy Ensurechild protectionpolicies are followed. Advocate for therights and wellbeingof children in care. Crisis Intervention Respond tohigh-risk behaviourswith appropriate de-escalation and safety measures. Conduct Functional Behaviour Assessments: Evaluate the reasons behind a child's behaviours of concern to develop appropriate interventions. Advocate for Children's Needs: Promote the rights and wellbeing of children with disabilities. Health and Safety Perform duties in a manner conducive to health and safety and in accordance with Talbot Group policies and procedures. Ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities in the event of an emergency accident/incident. Training and ongoing development Educate families and support staff on behaviour support strategies. Be aware of current developments within relevant profession and maintain a commitment to ongoing professional development. Promote and participate in research/evidence based clinical audit and encourage its practical application to service user care within the service area. Attend and participate in education and in service programmes as required by the needs of the service user and in compliance with Talbot Group policies and national standards e.g. prevention, detection and response to abuse. Educate and support all assigned staff including the induction of new staff and ongoing performance appraisal. Special Skills and Competencies : Professional Knowledge & Experience Behavioural Assessment & Intervention Skills Expertise in conductingFunctional Behaviour Assessments (FBA). Ability to design and implementindividualized Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBSPs)usingevidence-based practices (EBP). Proficiency indata collection, analysis, and progress monitoringto adjust interventions. Knowledge ofPositive Behaviour Support (PBS), and trauma informed approaches Crisis Management & De-escalation Advanced training incrisis prevention (CPI, PROACTSCIPr, MAP). Ability tomodel and train staffin de-escalation techniques. Experience managinghigh risk behaviours(aggression, self injury, elopement). 3.Clinical & Ethical Decision Making Strong understanding ofethical guidelines of relevant regulatory bodies). Ability to balanceclient rights, safety, and least restrictive interventions. Experience inmultidisciplinary collaboration(psychiatry, OT, SLT, social work). 4. Leadership & Staff Development Mentoring and supervisingjunior behaviour staff or therapists. Deliveringtraining workshopson behavioural strategies for caregivers and teams. Experience inquality assurance(auditing PBSPs, ensuring compliance). 5. Communication & Advocacy Exceptionalreport writing and documentationskills (e.g. PBSPs, progress reports). Ability tosimplify complex behavioural conceptsfor families and non-specialists. Advocacy forperson centered, rights-based approachesin care. 6. Technical & Analytical Proficiency Experience withbehavioural software Competency inelectronic health records (EHR)and data visualization tools. Understanding ofresearch methodologiesto stay updated on best practices. 7. Soft Skills & Personal Attributes Empathy & Patience Ability to build rapport with clients with challenging behaviours. Adaptability Adjusting strategies based on individual needs and environmental factors. Problem Solving Creative approaches for complex cases where standard interventions fail. Resilience Managing stress in high intensity situations. Competencies appropriate to the post: Communication & Interpersonal: Can speak clearly, fluently and in a compelling manner to both individuals and groups. Adapts communication style to suit audience. Writes in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate templates, style and language for the reader. Establishes, maintains and concludes therapeutic interpersonal relationships with services users/residents and other stakeholders. Is able to build rapport quickly with others. Adaptability & Reliability: Able to react effectively at short notice to changing circumstances. Willing to accept advice and suggestions from others and to learn from experience by changing own behaviour. Demonstrates a high level of dependability in all aspects of the job. Problem Solving and Initiative: Builds a logical approach to address problems or opportunities or manage the situation at hand by drawing on their knowledge and experience base and calling on other resources as necessary. A bias for taking action; the ability to think ahead of the current situation, particularly before problems or crises occur. Quality and Person Centredness: Demonstrates eagerness to understand service user/resident needs. Views the service user/resident as central to the delivery of everyday service through consistent understanding, tolerance, care, support and empathy while promoting empowerment, independence and choice. Determined to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals and quality standards. Leadership and Accountability:Manages performance to deliver team goals. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Promotes confidence and positive attitude while influencing others to follow a common goal. Demonstrates accountability for leading, directing, monitoring and evaluating work that is provided by all employees. Scope of Practice:Is educated, competent and has the authority to perform the full range of roles, functions, responsibilities and activities, required of his/her profession in Ireland. Accepts responsibility for ensuring that his/her professional practice and conduct meet the standards of the professional, ethical and relevant legislative and regulation requirements. Demonstrates a commitment to maintaining, enhancing and extending their knowledge, expertise and competence throughout their professional career. Skills: behavioural analysis positive beahvioural support ABA