LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice was formed in 2011 following the merging of the long-standing Children’s Sunshine Home and the LauraLynn Foundation, and now comprises LauraLynn Hospice Service and The Children’s Sunshine Home Disability Services. Our Disability Services are based on our campus in Leopardstown, Dublin 18 and our Hospice Services operate from our campus in Dublin and our community teams in Dublin, Mallow Cork, and Ballinasloe Galway.

LauraLynn Hospice provides specialist palliative and supportive care services to meet the needs of children with life limiting conditions and their families. Our Model of Care is centred around five pillars - direct care, family support, symptom management, end of life care and bereavement support.   

Our Disability Services comprises Willow View – a residential care service that is home to six adults with intellectual disabilities and Hazel House - a respite service for children with complex intellectual and physical disabilities. 

While our disability services are funded by the Health Services Executive (HSE) our hospice service is mainly funded through fundraised income and private donations, supplemented with some statutory funding. 

Vision

Children and their families have the care and support they need at all stages of their journey.

Mission

To take a leading role in improving the quality of life of those in our care, by delivering specialist care and support that is accessible and equitable.

Our mission will be underpinned by Advocacy, Research and Education and will be achieved through collaboration with our healthcare colleagues, statutory bodies, donors and funders, and the children and families in our care.

Values

• Compassion
• Collaboration
• Excellence

SUMMARY

Working closely with the Communications Manager and MarComms Team, the Communications Executive will drive the organisation’s annual communications and media plans to maximise fundraising, awareness and reputation management opportunities for LauraLynn. The post holder will work closely with cross-organisational functions to deliver internal and external stakeholder communications, events and campaigns in line with the organisational strategy. 

This is a fast-paced and multidisciplinary department and therefore this role requires a level of versatility, creativity and an aptitude for thinking outside of the box. It is the perfect opportunity for someone looking to develop their skills within a growing and agile children’s charity.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in and contribute to the development of the communications and engagement strategy to reflect LauraLynn’s ambitious plans for growth
• Support the Communications Manager in rolling out annual media relations strategy to support all fundraising, clinical and organisational objectives (including messaging, speeches, etc.)
• Develop and grow strong relationships with regional media outlets, including pitch development, press release drafting, interview prep, follow-up etc.
• Provide communications support to community/corporate fundraising campaigns and activities including messaging, PR tools/toolkit and advice.
• Create messaging, content and written materials to communicate our work and mission, including fundraising, corporate, clinical and service information (e.g. annual report, brochures, leaflets, reports, website, presentations etc.)
• Working with key internal functions, roll-out a new internal communications plan to increase employee and family engagement and drive LauraLynn culture, measuring effectiveness on a regular basis
• Provide creative, editorial and organisational support for awareness projects, campaigns and events including Children’s Hospice Week, Palliative Care Week, Light Up LauraLynn etc.
• Support the Digital Communications Executive in identifying and developing engaging content for digital channels including website, social platforms
• Support LauraLynn stakeholders (including families, staff, volunteers etc.) to participate in fundraising and awareness campaign storytelling as point of contact, with briefings, overseeing logistics etc
• Monitor, analyse and communicate PR results on a monthly basis 
• Keep up to date on best practice within the charity sector generally and particularly changes to communications innovation, legislation and codes of practice
• Uphold highest standards of good governance in all aspects of individual and team work
• Actively participate and contribute to the Fundraising team and other internal and external working groups you may participate in
• Support the Communications Manager and wider Marketing and Communications team to achieve team and organisational goals
• Undertake other such duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the line manager

Flexible Working:

LauraLynn offers flexible working options to staff depending on the role and needs of the service and in line with the Flexible Working policy. Staff wishing to apply for flexible working should discuss their request with their manager in the first instance. Our policy can be accessed at the following link: Flexible Working Policy.pdf (lauralynn.ie).

Professional Development and Mandatory Training:

Maintaining the necessary skills and knowledge is important in this role. This being the case the postholder must ensure their continuous development including abiding by any professional code of practice or ethical code applicable to the role. It is also incumbent on the postholder to ensure all mandatory training deemed necessary is up to date. 

Health and Safety:

In respect of Health and Safety these duties must be performed in accordance with LauraLynn’s health and safety policy.  In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act.  Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with LauraLynn policy as set out in the safety statement, which must be read and complied with. You can read our health and safety statement here: Health and Safety Policy.pdf (lauralynn.ie)

Quality, Risk and Safety Responsibilities:

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

• Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to Quality, Risk and Safety.
• Participate and cooperate with LauraLynn quality, risk and safety initiatives as required.
• Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of the organisation’s structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to, the national hygiene audit, national decontamination audit, health and safety audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities.
• To initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with LauraLynn quality, risk and safety requirements.
• Maintain a clean and healthy environment for our service users, families, visitors and staff.  
• Maintain a high standard of hygiene including personal hygiene as part of their role within the organisation.  
• Attend infection control training yearly.

Flexibility:

This post requires a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility on occasion as and when required by their manager.

Dignity and Welfare of Service Users:

As a health care provider all staff are expected to behave towards service users and their families in a caring, professional and responsible manner. In line with the Trust in Care policy it is the duty and responsibility of all employees of LauraLynn, including this post holder, to report any concerns for the safety and welfare of service users to their line manager or head of department or to the Designated Liaison Person, which applicable.

Dignity at Work:

All members of staff at LauraLynn have a right to be treated with dignity and respect and to work in a safe environment which is free from all forms of bullying, sexual harassment and harassment. Thus, all staff, including this post holder, have a responsibility to help maintain such a working environment. All employees must comply with the national/LauraLynn Dignity at Work policy and ensure that their behaviour does not cause offence to fellow workers or any person with whom they come into contact during the course of their work.

Confidentiality:

In the course of his/her employment, the person appointed may have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of service users or staff or other health service business.  Such records or information are strictly confidential and unless acting on instructions of an authorised officer on no account must information be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.  In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody/destroyed in accordance with policy when no longer required.

Dress Code / Uniform: 

Attire and personal appearance must, at all times, conform to a standard LauraLynn considers appropriate.  Staff attached to certain departments may be required to wear a uniform or other protective clothing.  Where applicable any such requirements as detailed by the immediate supervisor must be adhered to at all times. 

Quality:

To ensure the provision of the highest possible quality of service to our service users, all employees at LauraLynn have a responsibility to ensure adherence to and participation in internal and external quality control and assurance programmes on an ongoing basis. 

Note: This job description is an outline of current broad areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as a comprehensive listing. As the role develops in the organisation this job description may be reviewed in light of possible new structures and/or changing needs of the organisation.

Tenure:                        

This is a permanent contract of employment.

Remuneration: 

Grade V - €49,702 - €59,457 as of 1st June 2024. 

Please note that whilst this position is not HSE/public funded the salary is aligned to the national HSE payscales.

Payment is made on a monthly basis (last Thursday) by credit transfer.

Hours:                         

35 hours per week, exclusive of unpaid rest breaks. Hybrid working arrangements are available at LauraLynn. This being the case consideration will be given to applying suitable working arrangements where appropriate.                            

Annual Leave: 

210 working hours per annum.   

Pension Scheme:          

Membership of superannuation (pension) scheme is compulsory. Superannuation contributions at the appropriate rate will be payable in accordance with the provisions of the determined pension scheme.  Further information will be issued upon appointment to the role. 

Retirement Age:           

Retirement age will be determined by the superannuation scheme a new employee is aligned to.  Further information will be issued upon appointment to the role.

Health:             

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Garda Vetting:            

Arrangements have been introduced, on a national level, for the provision of Garda Clearance in respect of candidates for employment in areas of the Health Services, where it is envisaged that potential employees would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals. The successful candidate will be required to complete a Garda Vetting form prior