Ireland’s leading children’s charity is recruiting:

Project Worker, Birth History Service 
Christchurch Square, Dublin 8

Location: Christchurch Square, Dublin 8

Contract: Fixed Term to 31st December 2025. Role will continue subject to funding

Salary: €23,117 - €35,732 (Pro-rated for 25 hours)

Why work at Barnardos?

Are you a purpose driven individual who is passionate about making a difference and helping some of society’s most vulnerable children? At Barnardos, we pride ourselves on delivering impactful services that make a difference to the lives of children and families across Ireland.

We believe that childhood lasts a lifetime. As trauma informed specialists our core purpose is to provide the necessary support for children to overcome childhood adversity, embedding a trauma informed ethos and practice into every service we provide.

What we can offer you?

As a Project Worker, we appreciate the value of your time when providing essential services, that’s why we have the necessary support structures and network in place that will allow you to make a real impact on the lives of children across Ireland. We also offer the following:

• Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
• Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
• Employee pension scheme with employer contribution/ Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Access to regular trauma informed support, supervision, training and many other professional development opportunities
• Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
• Access to the Employee Assistance/Wellbeing programme for employees and their immediate family members

What’s the role and service?

We are looking for an experienced Project Worker to join our Birth History Services team in Dublin.

What will my day to day look like?

In this role, you will provide an individual and group therapeutic service that respond to the needs of birth parents, adopted adults, adults who were boarded out as children and individuals subject to an illegal birth registration who are referred to the service. You will be responsible for the following:

• Assessing the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project.
• Planning, implementing and reviewing programmes for adults based on an assessment of their individual and group needs.
• Being vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect in regard to retrospective disclosures. To bring any concerns to the attention of the Designated Person and in keeping with Barnardos Child Protection Policy.
• Working closely with other members of the service to ensure the most appropriate offering of support is made available to service users.
• Working with adults in a variety of ways, including group work and individual work. Both centre based and outreach work will be required..
• Liaising effectively with and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies and to attend and contribute to reviews and case conferences as required.

What experience do I need?

• A minimum of two years post qualification experience in working with adults in a therapeutic setting.
• Experience in working with adults affected by early loss/trauma.
• Experience in facilitating group work is an advantage.
• Specific experience in working in the field of adults impacted by adoption and foster care is highly desirable.

Do I need a qualification?

Yes, to be considered for this role you will hold a recognised third level practice qualification (minimum Level 7 on the NFQ) in one of the following:

• Social Care / Social Work / Psychology / Psychiatric Nursing.

Relevant therapeutic qualification is desirable such as Counselling, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy or Family Therapy, although not essential.

Applicants must be registered or eligible for registration with CORU as a Social Care Worker. This includes those currently in the process of registration under CORU’s transitional arrangements (grandparenting route). Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria but have not yet completed registration are encouraged to apply. However, you will be required to provide proof of registration or evidence they have initiated the application process.

Additional information:

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

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

Closing date: 12pm Monday 28 April 2025
Interview date: Thursday 01 May

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.