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 (Child & Youth Social Prescriber) 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 (Child & Youth Social Prescriber), you will assist referred children and young people aged between 11 and 17 years (up to 19yrs for young people in aftercare) to participate in local activities and hobbies of interest to them as a way of supporting their social and emotional development. The parent/caregiver may face barriers to arranging and sustaining this due to social circumstances impacting on the family and the project worker will also work with the parent/caregiver/wider family to sustain participation of the child with the social or sporting activity after the intervention has concluded.

What will my day to day look like?

Assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the projects.
Plan, implement and review programmes for children/young people/carers/families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs. This includes direct work through key working, group sessions, outreach, and centre-based activities, as well as advocacy at both individual and group level.
To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children. To record concerns promptly and accurately. To consult with the Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with Barnardos Child Protection policy.
Work directly with children, young people, carers, and families through a range of approaches—including individual, group, family, centre-based, and outreach work—providing key working support where appropriate and advocating on their behalf to meet identified needs.
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.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all aspects of work, including the collection of statistical data, preparation of reports, and administration of relevant databases, in line with service requirements
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.
The Project worker may need to be available out of hours occasionally to facilitate engagement of young person and parent/caregiver at the social activity, this will be with agreement of the Coordinator.
Facilitate an engagement process/assessment with a young person and parent/carer to determine the young person’s social interests and assist the young person and family to engage with appropriate social activities in the Clare area.

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 and other services and community groups.
Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.
Experience of analysis and report writing highly desirable.

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

Note: this list can be varied depending on the specific requests of the post.

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.

Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured vehicle essential.

The post-holder is initially assigned to work in the Barnardos Clare Service but may be required in the future to work in other locations in the 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: 21 August 2026

Interview Date: 31 August 2026

Jobs in Clare

Project Worker (Child and Youth Social Prescriber)