Meath Community Drug & Alcohol Response (MCDAR) are Recruiting a

Part-time Community & Prison Liaison Worker

Position Information:

Job Title: Community & Prison Liaison Worker

Employer: The Crann Support Group CLG

Location(s): Meath Community Drug & Alcohol Trim, Co. Meath

Reporting to: The Project Manager of MCDAR

Contract: Part-time, Fixed-term Contract

Hours: 20 hours per week

The Crann Support Group CLG are recruiting for the role of Community & Prison Liaison Worker on behalf of the MCDAR (Meath Community Drug & Alcohol Response) Project.

About MCDAR Project:

MCDAR is a confidential community service providing a range of services to individuals and family members who may be experiencing difficulties with addiction. We operate our service on mutual respect, dignity, and equality. We are a safe non-judgemental environment where issues underpinning addiction can be explored.

Job Summary:

The Community & Prison Liaison Worker will provide support to people with addiction issues who are currently attending MCDAR and who have significant issues regarding the criminal justice system or individuals who are in detention and wish to receive support around their addiction issues and their transition back into their community.

This is a very exciting opportunity for candidates with the capability and desire to make a difference.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

• To assist and support prisoners, entering or leaving a place of detention in setting realistic goals regarding their substance use issues, housing requirements, family support and their training requirements.
• To develop and maintain an individual holistic care plan in conjunction with the service user and other services involved both inside and outside of prison, this care plan to address the needs of the service user and to set future goals as identified in the one-to-one sessions.
• To assist service users to identify appropriate training, education & employment options suitable to their needs during their incarceration and to plan for their release.
• To raise awareness among service users on possible progressions such as education, training, employment and supports such as group work, counselling, and holistic therapies on offer, once they are released
• To keep written and computer records of all one-to-one meetings and any other communications that have taken place on behalf of service users.
• To liaise with service user families as deemed appropriate and to refer them to appropriate services as required.
• To work in partnership with the Probation Service (Prison & the Community), Criminal Justice Agencies and locally based support services to develop and agree a structure for communication that will avoid duplication and ensure that the service is operating under an agreed set of protocols.
• To continue to build and further develop effective links with organizations at local and/or regional level.
• To liaise with treatment centres or other professional interventions to support individuals who are in recovery from substance use issues, which will include individuals who may be stable on methadone, working towards detoxification or may have recently completed a detoxification.
• To work effectively as a team member to develop and fulfil the aims & objectives and the policies & procedures of the project and to promote and further develop awareness of the service of Project to our target group and to the wider community.
• To attend monthly supervision, supervision may be delivered internally or externally and to attend case management meetings as required by manager. When required attend continued professional development training as identified by management.
• To submit monthly work progress reports and any other reports as deemed necessary by the manager in a timely and professional manner and to develop in consultation with the Manager clear targets and appropriate performance indicators.
• To plan, facilitate and evaluate group sessions as required.
• Carry out any other duties deemed necessary, from time to time, by the Project Manager.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• A nationally recognized qualification minimum QQI level 7 in Addiction Studies/Social Care work or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years relevant work experience in the field.
• Candidates with lived experience of the Prison system are welcome to apply for the role, prison clearance must first be obtained.
• Experience of working within the prison system.
• Experience of working with offenders/ex-offenders and people with addiction issues
• Demonstrate the ability of working with individuals on a one-to-one basis, family, and group work in relation to addiction issues & how to best respond to their specific needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to implement a Community Development approach.
• Knowledge /experience of building community networks and interagency relationships.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Candidate must have full clean Driving Licence and access to own vehicle.
• Garda Vetting, Prison Clearance and two written references are a requirement for this role.

Apply with CV and Cover Letter in writing to:

REF: Community & Prison Liaison Worker (MCDAR)
Post: The Crann Support Group, The Maudlins, Trim, Co. Meath, C15 Y32F
Email: jobs@crannsupportgroup.ie

Closing date for applications is 5pm, Thursday, 5th December 2024