Job Title: Under 18 Education & Prevention Worker

Employer: Torc Community & Family Resource Centre CLG (Seconded to HSE Southern Region Drugs Task Force)

Location: Tralee, with outreach to Direct Provision Centres throughout Kerry

Responsible to: Manager and Board of Management

Hours of Work: Full-time (35 hours/week); The hours of work will be 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday unless otherwise agreed upon by the Manager. You may be required to work some unsocial hours including evenings and weekends for which overtime will not be paid but time off in lieu will be granted.

Holidays: You are entitled 25 (pro-rata for part-time positions)

Term: Permanent (subject to continued funding)

Probationary Period: 6 months with mid-term review and appraisal at 3

Garda Vetting: The position is subject to the completion of a satisfactory Garda Vetting Process.

Geographical Area The geographical area of operation for this role is Kerry, you may be required to attend meetings in Cork.

Secondment This role will be seconded for day-to-day line management to the HSE & Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force

Job Description: 

Under 18 Education & Prevention Worker

The Under 18 Education & Prevention Officer will play a pivotal role in the development & roll out of education and prevention initiatives in Kerry related to drugs and alcohol and other high risk behaviour.

They will research, develop & deliver evidenced based education & prevention programs in schools, for teachers, parents, and young people.

‘Evidence Based Practice” is defined the use of systematic decision-making processes or provision of services which have been shown, through available scientific evidence, to consistently improve measurable client outcomes. Instead of tradition, gut reaction or single observations as the basis of decision-making, evidence based practice relies on data collected through experimental research and accounts for individual client characteristics and clinician expertise.’

The position will also serve as a liaison between drug & alcohol services and other regional organisations, ensuring awareness and understanding of available support within drug and alcohol services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Schools Outreach:
   • Research, develop and deliver evidence based educational workshops & programs for schools focused on substance misuse prevention, awareness, and early intervention.
   • Train teachers and school staff on how to identify signs of substance misuse and how to refer young people to appropriate services.
   • Create and/or source resources for schools to support ongoing education on drug and alcohol issues.
2. Parental Education:
   • Organise and lead information sessions for parents, addressing how they can support their children, recognise early warning signs, and engage in constructive conversations about substance use.
   • Provide educational materials that parents can utilise at home.
3. Young People Engagement:
   • Collaborate with schools to deliver targeted programs for students on making healthy life choices, building resilience, and managing peer pressure related to drugs and alcohol and other high risk behaviour.
   • Ensure the content is age-appropriate and accessible for different age groups and learning abilities.
4. Liaison with Local Services:
   • Build relationships with other regional youth services, mental health organisations and community groups to keep them informed of the resources and services available for young people who may be experiencing issues with substances.
   • Serve as a point of contact for external services to ensure collaboration and efficient referrals into drug & alcohol services.
5. Data & Reporting:
   • Collect data on the effectiveness of education & prevention programs, identifying areas for improvement and reporting outcomes.
   • Stay updated on best practices in drug and alcohol education & prevention, ensuring that the service delivers high-quality, evidence-based interventions.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Public Health, or a related field.
• Experience in youth work, community outreach, or substance misuse education.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage both children and adults.
• An ability to research evidenced based education and prevention programs from the European Union Drugs Agency and national policy with a view to local rollout

Desired Attributes:

• Strong knowledge of substance misuse issues, particularly concerning young people.
• Ability to work independently, managing multiple projects and outreach programs.
• Collaborative mind-set, with experience in building partnerships with schools and local services.

General 

• Document the work on an on-going basis and prepare regular work / progress reports for the Voluntary Board of Directors and the Manager of Torc CFRC &/or HSE SRDATF.
• Participate in all relevant training.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned by your line Manager.
• Promote a positive profile of Torc CFRC and/or HSE SRDATF and its work.
• Commitment to the purpose of Torc CFRC and/or HSE SRDATF and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations.
• To participate in supervision and appraisals with your line manager.
• To show flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meeting the needs of the work.
• To work as part of a team and have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
• Advise your line Manager of all matters requiring his/her/their attention.
• Maintain required data for reporting purposes, provide quarterly and annual data and written reports as required and under the supervision of the Manager submit data in database.
• To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible, respectful and professional.
• Adhere to ALL policies and procedures of of Torc CFRC and/or HSE SRDATF, including Child Protection, Health & Safety and Confidentiality.

Other Relevant Information

Accountability
The Under 18 Education & Prevention Worker will be responsible to the Voluntary Board of Management through the Manager of Torc CFRC and also to the line manager appointed to manage this role for the HSE & Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force

Confidentiality
Keep strictly confidential any personal information regarding all service users, their families and/or other circumstances that the Worker learns as part of their day-to-day job. In the interest of the safety the Worker must inform the Manager of any relevant information regarding any safety concerns that relate to the operation of the Centre or a service user attending the Centre.

Salary
The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will not be less than €42,000 per annum pro rata and is subject to continued funding.

Holidays
You are entitled to 25 annual leave (pro-rata for part-time positions)

Travel Expenses
Travel expenses will be paid, and subsistence will be paid on production of receipts as per travel expense policy. Travel & Subsistence will be paid at HSE rates.

To Apply:

The email address for applications is recruitment@torccfrc.ie

The postal address for applications is:
Torc Community & Family Resource Centre,
Ballyspillane,
Killarney,
Co. Kerry.
V93FD1H

Closing date for applications: November 20th 2024