Why work at Barnardos?
Are you a purpose driven individual who is passionate about making a difference and helping some of society’s most vulnerable children? At Barnardos, we pride ourselves on delivering impactful services that make a difference to the lives of children and families across Ireland.
We believe that childhood lasts a lifetime. As trauma informed specialists our core purpose is to provide the necessary support for children to overcome childhood adversity, embedding a trauma informed ethos and practice into every service we provide.
What we can offer you?
As a Project Worker, we appreciate the value of your time when providing essential support to our services, that’s why we have the necessary support structures and network in place that will allow you to make a real impact on the lives of children across Ireland. We also offer the following:
- Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
- Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
- Employee pension scheme with employer contribution/ Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Access to regular trauma informed support, supervision, training and many other professional development opportunities
- Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
- Access to the Employee Assistance/Wellbeing programme for employees and their immediate family members
What’s the role and service?
In your role as a Project Worker, you will:
- Develop and implement programmes that respond to the needs of children and families referred to the service working in partnership with families and other organisational, community and voluntary bodies.
- Provide support that improves the quality of life for families in state provided accommodation such as (but not limited to) IPAS accommodation centres, Emergency accommodation centres, National Reception Centre, National Hub, Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, while promoting the personal, social and educational development of children, young people and their parents always keeping the child at the forefront of the work.
- Work in partnership with Tusla services, community based statutory agencies and community and voluntary service providers, IPAS accommodation providers, local Child and Family Support Networks and Children and Young People Services Committees.
- Support the Meitheal early intervention practice model to coordinate a child centred approach to individual family needs led support and parenting support.
What will my day to day look like?
- Change and adapt to new programmes and models of service in line with evidence-based research and required training.
- 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.
- Liaise effectively with families and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies and to attend and contribute to reviews, case conferences and court as required.
- 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.
- Work with children and families using the range of service offered.
- Share knowledge in terms of this catchment area.
- Collaborate with line manager in developing the role of the Family Support Project Worker and the team
What experience do I need?
- A minimum of 2 years’ post-qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families. Which may consist of up to one year relevant equivalent experience and at least one year post-qualification relevant experience.
- Experience of working in partnership with families and carers.
- Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.
Do I need a qualification?
A recognised third level practice qualification (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).
Applicants with a Social Care or Social Work qualification must be registered with CORU as a Social Care Worker or Social Worker respectively. Those eligible for CORU registration who are currently in the process of registration through their qualification, or under CORU’s transitional arrangements (grandparenting route), will be required to provide evidence that this in process.
A full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car essential.
The post holder is initially assigned to work from the Tullamore Family Support Service and may be required in the future to work in other project(s) in the Midlands area in line with organisational needs.
Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.