Ireland’s leading children’s charity is recruiting:

Project Worker, Supporting Traveller Women in Prison - Dublin

Location: Corduff, Dublin 15

Contract: Part-time (30 hours per week) and Fixed Term Contract until December 2026 - Subject to funding

Salary: €34,213 - €52,883 (depending on experience)

Why work at Barnardos?

At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience.

• Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
• Generous annual leave entitlements
• Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work - life balance policy
• Tax saver travel and bike to work schemes in operation
• Employee Pension scheme with employer contribution
• Training and Development
• Health and Wellbeing initiatives including Employee Assistance programme
• Company sick pay scheme

Project Location and Contact Details

Address: 22 Corduff Park, Corduff, Dublin 15, D15 EA03 - working to provide support at the Dóchas centre and the Greater Dublin area
Telephone: 01-8262434

What does our Service do?

Through research completed by the Traveller Justice Initiative and data collected through peer support work facilitated in the Dóchas Centre by the National Traveller Women’s Forum, with wider research undertaken by the Irish Penal Reform Trust, tell us that there is:

• Very high rate of mental health issues - (estimated at 60%) occurring for women in prison with over 23% requiring psychiatric intervention(s)
• High rate of drug dependency (2010 annual report of the Dóchas Centre Visiting Committee estimated that one-quarter of prisoners are on a methadone maintenance programme).
• High rate of domestic violence (minimum of 50% of women prisoners)
• High risk of homelessness (women being particularly more at risk of homelessness on release)

These issues affect Traveller women more acutely, and they experience complex trauma and stigma and ostracization arising from their prison experience. This is exacerbated by lack of knowledge of the judicial system, literacy difficulties, cultural alienation and the impact of detention on children.

This innovative model of support will be delivered by Barnardos, in partnership with the National Traveller Women’s Forum (NTWF) and Traveller Justice Initiative (TJI). Barnardos, Ireland’s leading children’s charity, works to give vulnerable children a better chance, believing that childhood lasts a lifetime. Barnardos works with parents to strengthen their relationships with their children and to reduce the risks and increase protective factors required to safely care for their children. Barnardos delivers evidence-informed, outcome focused services for children and/or parents/carers in their homes, schools or in one of 50 Barnardos centres based across the country.

This trauma informed flexible model of support, meets the wide range of needs of Traveller women as well as their families. The Project Worker will be employed by Barnardos to develop relationships with Traveller women in criminal justice system to identify their needs as parents. The service will then develop individual plans (short, medium and long-term) with Traveller women and their families. A Bespoke package of support will be offered at each stage of the criminal justice system (pre-sentence, probation, pre-release and post-release) and will include:

• Intensive parenting support to build parenting skills; strengthen family relationships; understand children’s needs; improve family communication; ensure meaningful access and positive family time; and supporting parental engagement in decision making relating to their child
• Practical supports including the coordination and liaison with a range of criminal justice and community-based services to create a collaborative and cohesive plan. A referral arrangement will be put in place (adding value to – rather than duplicating - existing services). A case management and inter-agency approach will be used (with interagency meetings held where required)
• Support in building and strengthening individual family and community networks to create safety and enhance outcomes

We also facilitate group work sessions for the parents in the Dóchas Centre on a weekly basis.

Job purpose

To provide a trauma informed flexible model of support, to meet the wide range of needs of Traveller women as well as their families. To develop relationships with Traveller women in criminal justice system in order to identify their needs as parents. The service will then develop individual plans (short, medium and long-term) with Traveller women and their families. A Bespoke programme of support will be offered at each stage of the criminal justice system (pre-sentence, probation, pre-release and post-release). This service also facilitates group work sessions in the Dóchas Centre on a weekly basis.

Personal attributes

• Commitment to equality and anti-discrimination
• Commitment to the delivery of quality services to mothers, children, young people, families and carers
• Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate
• Ability to work under pressure and solve problems effectively
• Excellent communication skills
• To be committed to adhering to best practice in the work and be innovative and open to change
• To be flexible and adaptable
• Ability to form effective and purposeful relationships with children, young people, families/carers, colleagues and other agencies

Experience

• Excellent understanding of issues affecting Travellers and women in prison.
• A minimum of 2 years’ post-qualification experience of working with children and families experiencing discrimination, poverty and disadvantage.
• Experience of working in family support and partnership context with vulnerable families.
• Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.
• Experience of analysis and report writing.

Qualifications

• A recognised third level practice qualification [1] (minimum Level 7 on the QQI) in one of the following:
  • Social Care
  • Social Work
  • Or related discipline (Nursing, Psychology, Family Support, Youth Work or Early Years’ Education).

A full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured vehicle is essential.

For full job description and to apply please visit Current Job Vacancies – Barnardos

Closing date: 12pm, Thursday 12th September
Interview date: To be Advised

Shortlisting will apply (please note, CVs are not accepted on their own, candidates must complete and submit our application form through Barnardos website).

Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

[1]Course content should include relevant student placements