Job Title: Domestic Violence Support Worker (Children & Young People)

Location: Based in Monaghan Town office and working across both counties. Full drivers licence and access for car for travel is required.

Contract Type: Permanent; Full time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Pension: Pension scheme available

Salary: HSE Social Care Salary Scale

Reporting to: DV Services Manager, Safe Ireland Cavan/Monaghan

Environment of the Job

Safe Ireland is the national development and co-ordination body working to eradicate Domestic Violence (DV). We have five distinct functions: investigating the causes and effects of violence and coercion based on sex, gender and sexuality; delivering frontline refuge, support and outreach services; supporting the development, delivery and coordination of frontline Domestic Violence member services; developing best practice guidelines for skilled community-led domestic violence response; and influencing civil society and national strategic policy. Safe Ireland Cavan/Monaghan is a frontline service of Safe Ireland.

Purpose of the Job

Safe Ireland Cavan / Monaghan work across both counties to provide support to women, children and young people who access the service and have experienced domestic violence and coercive control. This role, as part of a team, will provide a needs-led support service for children and young people, up to 18yrs which will include one to one work, group work, specialized programmes, advocacy, accompaniment and referrals to other support services.

Key functions and tasks

The DV Support Worker will:

• Engage and build professional relationships with Young People
• Be flexible and attentive to the needs of Young People
• Facilitate direct interventions targeted at children & young people, aged up to 18yrs, who have experienced domestic violence and coercive control which are needs and strengths led which will enable them to develop their capacity, resilience and strength
• Provide both short and long term one to one and small group support for children and young people to improve their social and developmental outcomes.
• Support the child or young person to the point where they are empowered to access specialist therapeutic interventions if needed, community based youth projects, and youth clubs and or are integrated into other community social activities on an ongoing basis
• Conduct needs and risk assessments and develop individual support plans that involve delivery of information, support, crisis intervention, advocacy, risk management and safety planning to children and young people experiencing domestic abuse/coercive control.
• Promote survivors’ rights to make individual choices, ensuring their involvement in decision making and their awareness of rights and responsibilities whilst using our services.
• Making referrals and coordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocate to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are minimized.
• Facilitate awareness raising and information sessions in schools and community regarding healthy relationships
• Ensure that agreed case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure.
• Contribute to case conferences as required
• Arrange, facilitate and contribute to Meitheals as required
• To adhere to all Safe Ireland practices as outlined in the Safe Spaces Series as well as Safe Ireland’s policies and procedures to ensure the delivery of quality, effective and safe services to children and young people.
• To liaise with other appropriate agencies in order to provide a comprehensive range of supports to children and young people that reflects their individual needs.
• Write accurate reports and maintain and update records, files, database and statistics as required using CRM system
• To adhere to Safe Ireland and Tusla policies on child protection.
• To keep informed of developments in the area of domestic violence including new methods of work, changes in policy, legalisation, additional supports etc.

The above duties are a guide to the general range of duties and are neither definitive nor restrictive and will be subject to periodic review.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be flexible, enthusiastic, and a committed team player. The candidate will be highly motivated, creative, with excellent communication skills and a commitment to the mission, vision and values of Safe Ireland. The candidate will prioritise his/her wellbeing in the work and engage with Supervision on a regular and agreed basis. The ideal candidate will have the following experience, personal characteristics and educational background

Education / Qualifications

• BA in Social Care / Youth Work/ Youth & Community Work at NFQ Level 7 or higher is required for this position.
• A qualification or training in working with domestic violence would be an distinct advantage
• Knowledge
• Knowledge of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence and coercive control
• Awareness of gender analysis as a systematic analytical process used to identify and understand the relevance of gender roles and power dynamics in society
• Awareness of interculturally competent approaches to meeting the needs of those who have experienced domestic violence and coercive control
• Up to date knowledge of housing, criminal, civil and welfare rights legislation relating to domestic violence and coercive control
• Knowledge of GDPR requirements for frontline services
• Knowledge of child protection legislation and reporting requirements

Experience

• Significant (or Demonstrable) experience in an organisation (paid or voluntary) providing services to young people and children who have experienced domestic violence and coercive control
• Extensive experience of sensitively assessing and responding to the needs and risks of children and young people experiencing domestic violence and coercive control
• Experience of working in a residential setting/ refuge/ youth work environment or other relevant agency.
• Experience of information giving and one-to-one support
• Experience of office administration systems

Other

• Full clean driver’s license with regular access to a car for work

Applications by way of CV and Cover Letter to: recruitment@canavanbyrne.ie

Closing date: 20th September

Safe Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.