Youth Work Ireland, Galway seeks applications for the following:

2 Full time (35 hrs per week) Project Workers 
for Preparing for Life Project 
in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

Preparing for Life is a prevention and early intervention project to support parents/primary carers to use evidence-based approaches to help their children achieve their full potential. The project team will work from pregnancy through early childhood with families, health services, early years settings and schools. This initiative will be delivered in partnership with Tusla, Child and Family Agency and the Project Workers will join an existing team.

The Project Workers will work with the Project Coordinator to implement evidenced based programmes and interventions for expectant mothers, mothers, and their child 0-5 years, and be responsible for an assigned caseload in the agreed project target area and in line with the funding priorities and the programme manual. Service delivery includes Home Visiting so postholders must exercise flexibility in their working hours and be comfortable visiting people in their homes. Participation by families is voluntary.

Qualifications: 

It is expected that applicants will have a recognized degree (Level 7, Ordinary Level Degree) qualification in social care, health, family support, youth or community work, early childhood education or another appropriate field as well as having at least 2 years’ experience of working with parents and children in a collaborative way.

Essential Experience/Knowledge:

• Experience and knowledge of child development
• Experience in the delivery of one-to-one support work
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of working with families in a range of settings, including homes, particularly in disadvantaged communities and in a non-judgmental way
• Demonstrated knowledge of Child First and Child Safeguarding procedures.

Personal Skills:

• The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, have initiative, be motivated, organised, be a team player and have flexibility regarding their hours of work to best meet the needs of the families involved.
• Effective communication skills and an ability to build good, professional working relationships with, and the attributes required to liaise effectively with families and agencies is expected.
• An ability to reflect on their own work practice, identify areas for further development and be open to accepting feedback and support on an ongoing basis.

Additional Mandatory Requirements: 

• A full clean driving licence, access to a vehicle and Class 2 insurance to indemnify the employer
• Successful Garda Vetting
• Children First training cert
• First Aid and Manual Handling (will be provided by Employer as needed).

Additional Information

Location: Ballinasloe with outreach
Hours of work: 35 hours per week (FTE)
Contract type: full time, for 2 years with potential for extension
Annual Leave: 27 days
Expenses will be reimbursed in line with company policy

Shortlisting will be based on information provided in the CV and letter of application. It is important that candidates show they meet the requirements in their applications. Following shortlisting, successful candidates will be invited for interview.

Job description is available on request from jennifer.mchugh@youthworkgalway.ie

Applications in the form of hard copy only of your CV and cover letter

should be forwarded to:

Irene Murphy (she/her)
Managing Director
Youth Work Ireland, Galway
Ballybane Community House
197 Castlepark
Ballybane
Galway
H91 A7X4

Closing date for application: Friday 21st February 2025 by 4pm.

Youth Work Ireland, Galway is one of 20 Member Youth Services of Youth Work Ireland. 
We are an equal opportunities employer.