Project Worker, Lorien - Tallaght Dublin 24

Barnardos • Full-time • Tallaght, Dublin 24 • €32.90k - €50.85k / year • 2w ago

Why work at Barnardos?

At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience.

Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work – life balance policy
Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
Employee pension scheme with employer contribution
Paid sick leave
Health and Wellbeing initiatives including Employee Assistance programme

Name of the Service: Lorien Project

Address/Location: 30 MacUlliam Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

The Lorien Project:

The Lorien project was set up in 1997 in response to unmet needs of children living in the Tallaght area. The project is funded by Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) and HSE Addiction Services.

This project provides intensive, targeted, evidence-based and trauma-informed child and family support programmes for children aged 0-18 years and their parents or carers.

The core services offered include for example: safety planning, individual work with parents, individual work with children, parent-child work, practical family support, interagency work, crisis intervention and targeted groups.

Referrals:

Referrals for the project come from self-referrals from parents themselves, TUSLA (both Social Work teams and Partnership, Prevention and Family Support teams), adult addiction services (both community and statutory), schools, Public Health Nurses and hospitals. All families referred to the service are either level 3 or level 4 on the Hardiker scale.

Key interventions offered:

The Lorien Project offers a number of evidenced based programs. These include but are not limited to:

Assessment of the needs of the child and family
Partnership with Parents (in home parenting support program)
Practical Support
Individual work with parents
Crisis Management
Non Violent Resistance (NVR) Program
Parents’ Groups
Individual work with children (This is Me)
Friendship Group
Strengthening Families (delivered in partnership with other agencies) as required
Seasons for Growth
Just Right State Program

Post: Project Worker

Location: Lorien Child and Family service, Tallaght

Responsible to: Project Leader

Works with: Barnardos Internal and external stakeholders including a range of external agencies

Job purpose

The Lorien project supports children and families that are impacted by adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma. Some parents use drugs and or alcohol to cope with these difficulties and need additional support in order to safely meet the needs of their children.

The suitable candidate will assess the needs of the children and families and develop a trauma informed family support package around the identified needs. Case work is closely monitored and supported by the project leader.

Core Job Requirements

To assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project.
To work with children and families in a trauma informed way to ensure best possible outcomes.
To plan, implement and review programmes for children/young people/carers/families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs.
To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children. To record concerns promptly and accurately. To consult with the Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with Barnardos Child Protection policy.
To work with children/young people/carers/families in a variety of ways, including group work, individual work and family work, centre based and outreach work.
To key work individual children/young people/carers/families in order to meet their needs and to advocate on their behalf.
To liaise effectively with families and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies and to attend and contribute to reviews and case conferences as required.
To work in partnership with other Barnardos services to best meet the needs of children and families by collaborating resources with planned interventions targeting groups/families of shared need.
To keep regular records in relation to all aspects of work and prepare reports as required.
To gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role.
To identify and document to the line manager any unmet needs of children/young people/carers/families within the service, and to participate in the advocacy work of the agency.

Requirements Specific to this Post

The suitable candidate must have an understanding of how trauma can impact parenting, children and overall family functioning.
To ensure that the service operates in an integrated way with other Barnardos services in the region

Requirements of all Barnardos Staff

Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations.
To participate in regular supervision with your line manager.
To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole.
To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner.
To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer.
To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies.
To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate.
To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time.
To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.

Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.

Personal Attributes

Commitment to the delivery of quality services to children, young people, families and carers.
Be trauma informed in your approach to your work
Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate.
Ability to work under pressure, make decisions in consultation with the line manager when appropriate.
To be committed to adhering to best practice in the work and be innovative and open to change.
Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post.
Ability to form objective relationships with children, young people, families/carers, colleagues and other agencies.

Experience

A minimum of 2 years’ post qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families in a similar role.
The suitable candidate must have an understanding of how trauma can impact parenting, children and overall family functioning.
Knowledge and understanding of addiction and recovery through a trauma informed lens is desirable but not essential
Experience of working in partnership with families and carers.
Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.
Knowledge of Partnership with Parents, Friendship Group, Seasons for Growth and Strengthening Families and other evidence based programs is desirable

Qualifications

A recognised third level practice qualification[1] (minimum Level 7 on the QQI) in one of the following:

Early Childhood Care and Education
Social Care
Education
Social Work
Youth Work
Or related discipline (Nursing, Psychology, Early Years Education).

Note: this list can be varied depending on the specific requests of the post.

Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car is essential.

Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

For full job description and to apply please visit Current Job Vacancies – Barnardos

Closing date: 07^th December 2023

Shortlisting will apply (please note, CVs are not accepted on their own, candidates must complete and submit our application form through Barnardos website).