The Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is responsible for a range of statutory functions, including the provision of child protection, alternative care, specified regulatory services and a range of family support services. The Agency has commenced a major improvement programme with significant focus on Practice, Culture and Structure.The Agency currently has responsibility for a budget of circa €1.2billion and delivers its services through over 5,500 people in 259 locations across the Country.The Child and Family Agency has responsibility for the following range of services:• Child Protection and Welfare• Parenting, Family Support and Early Help Services• Alternative Care• Birth Information & Tracing and Adoption• Tusla Education Support Services (TESS)• Children's Service Regulation• Counselling and Therapeutic SupportsFurther information is available on Purpose of RoleThe National Court Liaison Manager will have oversight of Tusla operational matters before the High Court and District Court, act as a liaison between the Agency and the Court as appropriate, and provide expert professional advice to the CEO, Executive Management Team, Regional Chief Officers and Senior Management in respect of such matters.Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesProfessional Knowledge:• A working knowledge and strategic understanding of legislation, policy, research and practice relevant to the Child and Family Agency.• Demonstrate the ability to plan, develop and ensure the achievement of short-, medium- and long-term priorities and goals.• Have an in-depth knowledge of the issues and developments and current thinking about Special care legislation and strategic development of the special care service.• Awareness of children and young people's participatory practice.• Demonstrated track record of strategic thinking and planning with proven outcomes.• Proven ability to form strategic alliances, partnerships and relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external.• Proven track record in verbal, written and communication skills.• To strategically lead Tusla operational matters before the District Court and High Courts. This role will not replace line management responsibilities but to oversee key strategic and operational issues arising and support plans to address these.• To oversee all Special Care cases/matters before the High Courts and be the liaison between Tusla Office for Legal Services, Community & Residential Services in relation to same.• To provide expert professional advice to the CEO, Executive Management Team, and Senior Management in relation to any matters arising of an operational nature.• Through engagement with internal and external key stakeholders, identify key themes/issues arising and as required lead/support development of service improvement plans to address.• To be the operational national lead for strategic engagement with the newly established GAL service ensuring strong collaboration ensuring best interests of children and their rights.• To engage with Office for Legal Services and Member Firms in relation to any matters arising.• To provide line management to the Court Liaison Manager with responsibility for oversight of operational matters before for non-Dublin District Courts.• To promote a high standard of operational excellence in the District Court and High Court.• To participate in the National Integrated Committee for Special Care, responsible for the referral and discharge process to and from Special Care.Leadership and development:• To manage, coordinate, and lead the Tusla National Court Liaison Service.• To provide support and informal leadership to Regional Chief Officers, Service Directors, Area Managers and Principal Social Workers in addressing any issues of concern and promoting a culture of excellence.• To lead, manage, organize and motivate staff to function effectively in a changing environment• To promote a positive work ethic within the Tusla National Court Liaison TeamCommunications and Stakeholder Management:• To proactively engage with internal staff, and management in relation to operational and practice matters before the District and High Courts.• To proactively engage with the Tusla Office for Legal Services and Member Firms in relation to operational and practice matters before the District and High Courts.• To develop strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote excellence in practice and operational matters before the District and High Court.• To represent Tusla at strategic planning level including representation and membership of high-level groups to lead and develop inter-departmental collaborative approaches and interventions in relation to operational matters.Education & Training:• To conduct training needs analysis in relation to matters evident before the District and High Courts to improve standards and drive a culture of excellence.• To provide, or commission training for relevant staff in respect of same.• To develop standardized templates/reports and provide training webinars as appropriate in relation to implementation.• To maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.Quality and Risk:• To contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.• To lead on annual audits (with PASM service) for each region/service relating to review quality of Tusla Court reports, compliance with Court directions and engagement with RCOs/Area Managers/PSWs/ AND Alternative Care & Service Director for CRS on required service improvement plans.• To provide support/guidance to networks/regions as required when queries arise relating to requests from Courts for notification of cases to National Review Panel/requests for case reviews (in line with Tusla's Incident Management Policies).• To have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and Special Care Regulations 2018 and to comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.• To implement Tusla Risk Management and Incident Management Policies as relevant to the role.• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.Health & Safety• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, 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.