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;
- Provide support that improves the quality of life for families in the community and 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?
- Assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project using Barnardos Assessment framework and Meitheal.
- Plan, implement and review programmes for children/young people/carers/families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs.
- Change and adapt to new programmes and models of service in line with evidence-based research and required training.
- 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.
- Work with children and families living in the community and in IPAS accommodation centres Laois and Offaly using the range of service offered.
- Contribute to an analysis of unmet need.
- Collaborate with line manager in developing the role of the Family Support Practitioner and the team.
What experience do I need?
- A minimum of 1 years’ post qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families.
- 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?
To be considered for this role candidates must hold a recognised third level practice qualification (minimum Level 7 on the NFQ) in one of the following:
- Social Care
- Social Work
- Youth Work/Community Work
- Early Childhood Care or Education
- Related discipline e.g. Psychology or Nursing
CORU:
Applicants with Social Care or Social Work qualifications must be registered or eligible for registration with CORU. Applicants who are currently in the process of registration under CORU’s transitional arrangements (grandparenting route) can be considered.
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.
Closing Date: 25/09/2026
Interview Date: TBC