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.
What will my day to day look like?
- Assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project.
- Plan, implement and review programmes for children/young people/carers/families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs.
- 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 and case conferences as required.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide family support to children and families living in Offaly.
- You are initially assigned to work in the Edenderry project but may be required in the future to work in other projects in the Midlands region in line with organisational needs.
What experience do I need?
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with vulnerable children and families specifically within a child welfare context; – up to 12 months of which can be pre-qualification equivalent, relevant experience and at least 12 months post-qualification relevant experience required.
- 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:
- Social Care/ Education / Social Work / Youth Work /Early Childhood Care and Education or a related discipline e.g. 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 vehicle is essential.
The post-holder is initially assigned to work in Edenderry but may be required in the future to work in other locations 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.
Closing date: 07 May 2026
Interview date: 14 May 2026
