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 conduct Initial Assessments (IAs) on low – medium risk referrals received from Tusla social work department using the Signs of Safety approach to child protection and welfare concerns. You will also implement programmes that respond to the needs of children and families referred to the service for family support work, working in partnership with families and other organisations, community, voluntary bodies and statutory bodies as appropriate.
What will my day to day look like?
- Conduct initial assessments on behalf of Tusla and to provide intensive family support to vulnerable families in the Dublin South Central Area.
- Participate in interagency group consultation meetings on complex family referrals and assessments.
- Assess the safety and overall needs of the children and the families engaging with the project.
- Assess and support the development of parental insight into and capacity to meet their children’s social, emotional, physical and developmental needs.
- Provide recommendations to Tusla regarding whether the case should remain open to Tusla, referred to an agency or closed.
- Demonstrate high quality standards of practice, report writing, analysis and decision making across all cases; IA’s and family support.
- Participate in any briefing and training relevant to the role e.g. Signs of Safety, and Barnardos specific training regarding interventions for families.
- Provide family support services (group and individual supports) to children in the age range of 0-18 years of age and their families.
What experience do I need?
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience, comprising:
- Of at least 1 year post-qualification experience
- And up to 1 year equivalent relevant pre-qualification experience working with vulnerable children and families may be considered.
- Experience of working in partnership with families and carers.
- Experience of assessing children’s and families’ needs.
- Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.
- Experience of interagency working.
- Experience of preparing comprehensive needs led reports on children and families
Do I need a qualification?
A recognised third level practice qualification (minimum Level 7 on the NFQ, Course content should include relevant student placements) in one of the following:
- Social Care / Social Work / Youth Work related discipline (Nursing, Psychology, Early Years’ Education).
A full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car is essential.
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.
The post- holder is initially assigned to work in the Dublin South Central service but may be required in the future to work in other project(s) in the Dublin area in line with organisational needs and funding allocations.
Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Closing Date: Wednesday 29 July 2026
Interview Date: TBC
