House Mother

The role of the House Mother involves administrative and household management of the Child Support Centre to ensure that systems and staff are in place to address the needs of the residents of the Centre.

THE CHILDREN’S AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

JOB DESCRIPTION

HOUSE MOTHER – CHILD SUPPORT CENTRE

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Job Title:                  House Mother, Child Support Centre

Department:            Child Support Centre      

Section:                   Legal and Regulatory Services

Reports to:              Team Lead

Direct Reports:       Caregivers

Indirect Reports:    NA

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JOB SUMMARY

The House Mother is responsible for providing support to improve the social and psychological well-being of children who have been deemed to be in imminent danger and have been received into care and placed temporarily at the Child Support Centre.  The role of the House Mother involves administrative and household management of the Child Support Centre to ensure that systems and staff are in place to address the needs of the residents of the Centre.

All these services will be delivered in keeping with best practice, while respecting and promoting the rights of the child.

 All activities must be geared towards maintaining the highest levels of service to all internal and external stakeholders and clients, must be sensitive to children’s issues, and must conform to the guidelines and standards set by The Authority and to all legal, regulatory and statutory requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1.  Supervises and coordinates inventory at the Child Support Centre with the assistance of the Caregivers and Children’s Services Assistant on a weekly basis.

2. Monitors the use of resources (grocery, personal care items, clothing and so on) at the Centre, and supervises the requisition of items needed at the Centre.

3. Develops weekly meal plans to ensure balanced and nutritious meals for residents at the Child Support Centre.

4. Conducts frequent checks on all equipment, furniture and physical structures at the Child Support Centre and provides regular reports on same to the Team Lead.

5. Develops rosters for all Caregivers, and monitors their attendance records.

6. Oversees the coordination and emergency coverage of Caregivers; including receiving notifications of late-coming or absence, and coordinating the call-out of additional staff to fill positions on shifts.

7. Supervises and coordinates the required physical preparations for the admission and discharge of children at the Centre (preparation of Welcome Package, clothing for children, meal preparation, assignment and preparation of bed space, laundry of children’s clothing and so on).

8. Supervises, monitors and coordinates the basic medical management of children (dispensing of medication, basic assessment of children’s symptoms, and adherence to special dietary needs).

9. Supervises and monitors the updating of Logs; such as the Caregivers’ Logs, Medical Log, Personal Effects Log, Medication Dispensation Log; and other Correspondence at the Centre.

10. Supervises and monitors the maintenance of a safe, clean and comfortable living environment for the children.

11. Supervises and monitors that children’s daily needs are met, and that they are properly supervised at all times during the shifts.

12. Provides basic crisis interventions aimed at attending to critical psychosocial needs of the child.

13. Performs other related duties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Associate Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Management or related discipline (asset).
• Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education or any other related field.
• Training and certifications in CPR and First Aid.
• Experience in managing or running groups would be an asset.
• Five (5) years’ work experience in a child care environment or a related field

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of social intervention strategies
• Basic knowledge of laws relating to the protection of children.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Planning and organizational skills.
• Team work skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Customer service orientation.
• Demonstrable interest in children, their needs and rights.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite

Interested persons are asked to adopt the following guidelines when submitting an application:

• Kindly submit your Resume and Cover Letter in one (1) document in either a word or pdf file.
• Applications are to be titled as the Candidate’s name, i.e. First Name and Last Name.
• Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
• Please apply via one (1) advertising medium only.
• Only shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.