Child & Youth Outreach Worker

At Saoirse Domestic Violence Services, we're looking for a Child & Youth Outreach Worker to join our team.

Full-time and Part-time positions

About the job

The primary purpose of the job is to provide community-based support to children, young people and mothers impacted by domestic violence.

To achieve this, the candidate will collaborate with the parents to address each child’s physical, educational, social and emotional needs. They will support the family to counteract the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) related to domestic violence and other complex issues within the home by developing a child-centred care plan to support their holistic needs.

The Child & Youth Outreach Worker will deliver group-based programmes within the community in collaboration with SDVS staff and external agencies including Healthy Relationships Talks to promote early intervention and prevention of domestic violence and abuse.

About us

Saoirse Domestic Violence Services (SDVS) provides a range of support and accommodation services across South West Dublin and West Wicklow including a 24-hour helpline, safe refuge accommodation, safe house accommodation, children’s support services, community outreach support and court accompaniment. We do this by:

• Providing accommodation and specialist domestic violence support services to families.
• Working with communities to educate and challenge attitudes to domestic violence through prevention and awareness raising.
• Campaigning and advocating for social change, legislation and government policy.

We are looking to fill two positions:

1. Child & Youth Outreach Worker – Full time 39 hours inclusive of lunch breaks Monday-Friday – (Permanent Contract).
2. Child & Youth Outreach Worker – Part-Time 32 hours inclusive of lunch breaks (days TBC but will fall between Monday-Friday) – (Fixed Term Contract – 1 year).

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Child, Youth and Family Support

• Work with an allocated caseload of children and families in the community.
• Carry out a strengths and needs-based assessment with the family and develop a care plan for the child. Carry out regular care plan reviews with family to highlight their progress.
• Make referrals to statutory, community and therapeutic supports.
• Deliver parenting support through the Parents Under Pressure Programme.
• Provide emotional support and advice regarding domestic violence.
• Deliver Theraplay with families to support parent-child attachment. (training provided)
• Deliver individual keywork with children and young people. Use the ‘one good adult’ approach to ensure their voice is heard in matters that impact them.
• Advocacy and support at vital health/developmental/educational appointments, where necessary.
• Provide court accompaniment to families where children are required to attend court hearings.

Group Work

• Deliver Healthy Relationships Talks in schools/youth centres, creating a calendar of Healthy Relationships Talks for each academic year.
• Design and deliver group programmes for children/parents.
• Support children to engage in Childhood Domestic Violence and Abuse Projects in collaboration with Barnardos i.e. Empower Kidz Project and TLC Kidz
• Deliver seasonal programmes for children i.e. summer projects, Easter and Christmas Events.

Child Protection & Welfare:

• Follow SDVS Child Protection & Welfare policy and procedures in line with Children’s First 2015.
• Carry out mandated person duties.
• Engage with Tusla PPFS and Social Work departments on active cases including preparing reports and attending Meitheal, safety network meetings, child protection case conferences and court, as and when required.
• Engage in SDVS DDLP/DLP Meetings as per yearly schedule.

Networking & Interagency Work

• Build strong working relationships with statutory, voluntary and community services.
• Understanding services available within catchment area and creating referral pathways for children and young people.
• Collaborate on group work programmes with other agencies.
• Attend relevant community and statutory network meetings as agreed with line manager.

Administration

• Maintain accurate and up to date records of all case files using the service database.
• Liaise with and inform the Manager and/or other designated persons of issues arising from work
• Prepare administration duties as agreed with line manager i.e. departmental statistics, travel and subsistence etc.

Other

• Engage in line management and supervision sessions regularly.
• Undergo training and professional development as required and directed.
• Commit to SDVS's vision and mission and support the implementation of our strategic plan.

About you

Qualification & Work Experience:

• Third-level Qualification at degree level in Social Care, Social Work, and Community/Family Development with a minimum of 1 year post-graduate experience in a social care field working directly with children, young people or families with complex needs.
  Or
• A related degree i.e. Early Childhood Studies with a minimum of 2 years post-graduate experience working directly with children, young people or families with complex needs in an outreach capacity.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge and insight into the issues affecting women and children of domestic violence and the impact on their physical, emotional and psychological well-being.
• Knowledge of child development and the potential long-term impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences.
• Knowledge of procedures and practices relating to child protection and the safeguarding of children and young people.
• Knowledge of national policies that influence our work with children, young people and families.
• Strong independent risk management, problem-solving and decision-making skills. This role will involve lone working in the community.
• Ability to work with complex need client groups with creative ideas for successful engagement.
• Ability to work safely on an individual basis with children or young people in a community setting is essential.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Must have experience using CRM systems (preferably Salesforce) to record work and possess good IT and report-writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with clients, colleagues and external services.
• Groupwork design and facilitation skills are highly desirable.
• Candidates with existing training in evidence-based programmes such as Parents Under Pressure, Theraplay, TLC Kidz or NVR, are highly desirable.

Full, clean driver’s license and access to own transport is essential as travelling to court and family houses is required. Applicants who do not meet this criteria will not be shortlisted.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: HSE Social Care Worker Scale starting from €36,945 (pro-rata for part-time workers). Point offered will be commensurate with experience.
• Location: Dublin
• Pension: 7% employer’s contribution through our Pension Scheme following successful completion of probation.
• Annual leave/Public Holidays: Entitled to 25 days annual leave exclusive of public holidays.
• Paid Sick leave: following successful completion of probation.
• Paid Maternity leave: SDVS pay full salary (less Social Welfare benefits) for the period of the 26 weeks basic maternity leave (subject to 1+ year service).
• Doctor visits: Funding towards 2 Doctor visits per year and access to free HSF online GP services all year.
• Education Support: Funding towards further education and time off rostered duties where possible.
• Training & Development: Access to excellent training opportunities and continuous professional development.
• Employee Well-being: Access to regular supervision, reflective practice, team building days and Employee Assistance Programme with 24-hour support and counselling for staff and their families.

Apply for the job

If you are interested in this role, please apply here with your CV and Cover Letter before the application closing date of 7th of July 2024.

In your application cover letter please specify which of the above contracts you are applying for or alternatively if you would be interested in both.

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform that may be required either now or in the future.