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 Best Practice 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 Best Practice Project Worker, you will support the ongoing development and delivery of quality needs–led, outcome-focused services within Barnardos. To support the design and implementation of Barnardos Organisational Strategy. This will involve supporting quality practice, through translating evidence into practice, and applying the learning in the design and delivery of training and policy development, auditing and monitoring, and supporting staff in their implementation of new initiatives.
What will my day to day look like?
Service design
- In conjunction with the Best Practice Manager support the design of evidence-based, needs-led and outcomes-focused services by:
- Analysing children’s needs
- Reviewing the research evidence
- Translating the evidence into practice by defining outcomes, developing theoretical framework, formulating a logic model and defining the scope and sequence of the programme.
- Work with Best Practice Manager to support staff and managers in the introduction of new programmes and offering the support and technical assistance required to implement the programme with fidelity.
- Work with the Best Practice Manager to write up the details of the new service into programme manuals to guide staff and managers in their implementation of the programme.
- Provide training and practice support during pilot and implementation phases of new services
- Review evaluation of current organisation strategy
Practice Development
- Support the design of child-centred frameworks and systems to ensure consistency and best practice across Barnardos’ services (for example, child and parent participation and coproduction, electronic record keeping (ERK) and active case management).
- Support staff in their implementation of Barnardos’ systems.
- Write and review policies and practice guidance (for example, child protection, promoting positive behaviour and domestic violence).
- Work with the Best Practice Manager to write documents to support the implementation of quality practice (for example, parents’ handbook, therapeutic spaces and participation toolkit).
- Work with managers to support the implementation of project-specific practice.
- Proactively support change management processes across the organisation.
- Gather background information to inform the writing of proposals for the development of best practice models and commissioning of services.
- Participate in the implementation and analysis of an outcomes tracking framework
- Assist in the identification and analysis of training needs for Barnardos staff
- Support the design and development of evidence-based training programmes for use internally and externally.
Auditing and Monitoring
- Support the development of audit templates to monitor standards of practice
- Work with others to complete national audits of practice to ensure compliance with agreed organisational policies and systems
- Support the development of monitoring systems to track compliance with Barnardos policies and systems
What experience do I need?
- A minimum of 3 years’ post-qualification experience of working in a community setting with children, young people and their parents who experience disadvantage is essential.
- Experience of participating in change management programmes which result in improved outcomes for children is desirable.
- Experience of facilitating training and practice development is desirable.
- Experience of functioning as a strong team member sharing expertise, experience and co-working.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the needs of children and families with a particular emphasis on disadvantage.
- Knowledge of impact of adversity on children and their parents and key aspects of a trauma informed organisation.
- Understanding of the importance of a Heart, Body, Mind approach.
- Understanding of the importance wellbeing.
- Knowledge of current thinking and developments in relation to working with children, young people and their families.
- Knowledge of a range of theories and approaches relevant to working with children, young people and their families (i.e. child development theory, family systems theory, solution focussed approach, group work theory, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, relational & developmental trauma etc.).
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice and methods of integrating research and evaluation into everyday practice is desirable.
- Clear understanding of current policies and legislation affecting children (e.g. Childcare Act, Children’s Act, Children First, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, Tusla’s National Strategy Documents).
- Understanding of adult learning theories.
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 (Psychology, Counselling or Nursing, etc.).
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.
Additional Information
- Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car.
- To be able to travel regionally and nationally on a regular basis.
The postholder is initially assigned to work in the National Office, Dublin 8, but may be required in the future to work in other locations in the Dublin area in line with organisational needs. Remote working arrangement currently in place. National travel required.
Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Closing Date: Friday 31 July 2026
Interview Date: 4 August 2026
