Position: Full Time Youth Justice Early Intervention Worker

CLAY CLG Youth Project is currently inviting applications for the position of a Full Time Youth Justice Early Intervention Worker.

Role Description

To work with the current CLAY Youth Justice team with a lead and direct role working and continue to develop the Early Intervention Programme with 8-11 years old as part of CLAY Youth Diversion Programme.

CLAY Youth Diversion Project

CLAY Youth Diversion Project is a community-based specialist project which primarily supports young people in Dublin 12 and Dolphin House D8. It seeks to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal, positive, social and personal development, civic responsibility and long-term employability prospects.

The core of this role will be to work in line with the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 with the aim to support children aged 8-11 and families who have been identified as at risk of future offending through age-appropriate intervention and family support work. Early Intervention work can also include the provision of appropriate family support, where necessary, to address the needs of YDP children/young people and their families. The candidate must have the ability to engage the 8-11 age cohort of young people, with creative and innovative initiatives and programmes that best respond to their specific needs. To understand child protection policies and practices as well as being willing to work with the principles of youth diversion work for the 8-11 cohort of young people.

The CLAY YDP project contributes to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda/community relations. This is a very exciting opportunity for candidates with an interest and capability in this type of work.

Working schedule:

This is a full-time 35-hour working week and flexibility is required in relation to working hours to meet the needs of young people. This can include working evenings, planned engagement during school holidays and weekend work as required by CLAY CLG

A full clean driver’s licence (Desirable)

The Candidate

All applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• An NSETS recognised professionally endorsed qualification in Youth Work or Youth and Community Work or /and
• Have worked with young people for two years full time in a youth work setting and have an equivalent professional qualification within the social studies/youth work/education or community development field

(Note: candidates with exceptional, relevant work experience in the subject area of children and young people may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications)

Summary of Responsibilities.

In co-operation with the CLAY’s Youth Diversion Project Team, the Youth Justice Early Intervention Worker will deliver a young person-centered programme of youthwork that:

Engages the young person/ child in a programme of development that supports their social and emotional development and competencies.

• Facilitates positive supportive young person led behavioral change.
• Challenges and develops young people’s values and beliefs.
• Delivers appropriate intervention that will promote school attainment.
• Working with the Clay YDP team, the YDP Early Intervention Worker will be expected to deliver a wraparound response to working with the young person /child particularly the 8–11-year-old cohort of young people referred to the Clay Youth Diversion Programme.
• The Early Intervention Worker will have responsibility for specific direct working/ funding plans and reporting.
• The Early Intervention Worker would work within a youth work setting and represent Clay YDP in the primary school and community based interagency work.
• Assess and respond to the needs of young people aged 8-11 years old, in accordance with CLAY’s policy, procedure, practices and YDP operational requirements
• Continuously conduct individual risk assessments and case management plans for young people.
• Plan, develop and deliver programmes, activities and services based on case management plans.
• Implement both individual, group-work and outreach work to homes where required.
• Enlist the support of parents, family members, community groups and other volunteers
• Apply for early intervention funding to support the programme delivery if appropriate
• Completing accurately and submitting on time any standard administrative and reporting procedure of expenses, quarterly performance reports, annual plan etc.
• Attend and participate in referral and project committee meetings.
• Participate and attend training as identified by CLAY and IYJS.
• Prepare written reports as required for management, committees and funders.
• Provide evaluations, records, reports etc. as required.
• Any other duties requested by CLAY CLG.
• To support volunteers /students.
• Support and take on written and verbal reporting of the programmes outcomes.
• To carry out any administrative duties appropriate to your role as YDP Early Intervention Youth worker (evaluations, programme records, record keeping, timesheets, work reports, annual plans etc).
• Maintain employer and young people’s confidentiality at all times.

Other duties may include:

• To drive the CLAY 9-seater vehicle on activities and trips for young people.
• To liaise to advocate on behalf of young people to other service providers and third parties if required.
• Work with local schools, parents, Gardai and other agencies and services working with young people from the area, were appropriate.
• To carry out any other lawful instructions of the board of management appropriate to the role of YDP Early Intervention Worker.
• Work directly alongside other staff members in various settings.
• Work as part of a team engaging in team meetings and appropriate supervision, review and planning sessions.
• Promote positive working relationships with external organisations.
• Commitment to the work of CLAY Youth Project and to work within the values, policies, and procedures of the organisation.
• To work within CLAY’s CLG strategy and operational plans.
• To consistently act in a professional manner and be present to the needs of CLAY young people.
• Carry out any other duties deemed necessary, from time to time especially collaboration with the wider YDP and Clay team and occasional community development work.
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager.
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.

Core Competencies

• Ability to build and maintain confident, effective and positive relationships with young people and families.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Present with attributes of an effective Youth justice worker including Empathy, Listening skills, dependability and respect.
• Ability to be proactive, use your own initiative and work effectively within a pressurized environment.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, openness and skills to relate to children and young people
• Positive and flexible approach to teamwork and collaboration.
• Good communications skills, including ability to draft summary information and correspondence, and good report writing skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word processing, Excel, Internet.

CLAY CLG is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices.

• Matched pension employer contribution after successful probation period.
• 25 annual holidays.
• Comprehensive induction, training, and supervision.
• Regular Team meetings.
• Bike to work scheme.
• Parking

Candidates under consideration for employment in CLAY will be subject to Garda vetting and 2 reference checks.

The salary is in line with CDYS Youth Worker Scale and based on experience.
Please note that this position is contingent on CLAY’s continued receipt of funding for the YDP and the post holder’s satisfactory performance.

Application Process

Please send a CV (max 3 pages) including a cover letter and completed application form to rosie@clayproject.ie with the title YDP Early Intervention 'Youth Worker' in the subject bar.

Closing Date: Friday January 10th 2025 by 5pm
Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

A panel may be formed following the interview process and short listing will apply.

We will inform candidates who have been successfully shortlisted. We regret that it is not possible to provide individualised feedback to applicants who have not been shortlisted for interview and we kindly request that you do not call or email seeking feedback. Candidates who do not meet ‘Essential’ requirements will Not be engaged within this recruitment process. Feedback is only available for candidates called to interview.

For more information, please contact CLAY at 01-5136981