Teach Tearmainn is a Domestic Abuse Support Agency working with Women and Children who are or have been affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Job Title: Domestic Abuse Case Worker

Location: Kildare Town (some work in Naas or other location may be required on occasion)

Salary: €35,069 – €41,000 (DOE)

Contract: 37.5 Hours per week (Mon-Friday 9am-5.30pm)
The successful candidate will be employed by Teach Tearmainn on a 12- month fixed-term contract, renewable subject to funding, including a 6-month probationary period.

Other Benefits:

• 25 days Holidays per annum + Additional Day birthday leave after 12 months service.
• 7% employer pension contribution.
• Access to EAP
• Access to Maternity Pay Benefit after 25 months service.
• Extensive Training provided including helpline training, group facilitation, motivational interviewing etc.

Summary:

Teach Tearmainn was established in 1999. Teach Tearmainn provide a range of support services, including refuge accommodation to women and children who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. Teach Tearmainn’s state of the art Refuge opened in 2014. The Refuge provides safe accommodation and support to women who have fled their home as a result of domestic violence and abuse. The Domestic Abuse Case Worker will be responsible for providing families in refuge with a safe and caring space to stay while healing from their experiences of abuse. The Domestic Abuse Case Worker will work intensively with women who are staying in refuge and support them using an empowerment approach.

The Successful Candidate:

The candidate will have an excellent knowledge and understanding of domestic violence and the impacts this has on women, children, and families. The successful candidate will have experience working with women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

The Domestic Abuse Case Worker will provide support and structured services to women with an emphasis on progressing their needs and ensuring their safety and security.

Our Mission:

To meet the needs of women and children experiencing Domestic Violence and Abuse, by providing inclusive, supportive, and confidential services that empower women and children to live life without fear.

Job Specification 

Key duties

• To support women who have been subjected to domestic violence and abuse
• To provide emotional and practical support to women in relation to their experiences of domestic violence and facilitate their consideration of their options for a safer future.
• To provide support, assistance, and advocacy to clients on practical matters including court, housing, health, social welfare, rights, and entitlements.
• To develop and deliver structured care plans with clients, through planned support sessions and encouraging active participation from clients in leading their own care plans and making choices for their safety.
• To identify, develop and deliver support groups to reach clients in the community on a drop in and appointment basis, as appropriate.
• To accompany women to family court applications and hearings, legal aid appointments, garda stations, etc., as necessary, and provide pre and post court support.
• To provide support and information to women who call Teach Tearmainn’s
• Helpline service and to refer callers internally/externally when appropriate.

To develop and monitor care plans with women availing of Refuge services.

• To discuss all the options available and advise the woman on how to access/ make referrals to the relevant services. To develop referral links for women with local support services and networks.
• To create community awareness regarding the issue of Domestic Violence and best practices in combating it, including through community development connections.
• To network and develop links with local service providers relevant to clients’ situations including, gardai, schools, housing authorities, social welfare, women’s groups, social work, hospitals, doctor surgeries, counsellors, youth services, family resources centres, etc. This includes sourcing referral paths and educating those services on referring to our services, in a safe and client cantered manner.
• To liaise and work cooperatively with Refuge staff, the Outreach Team and Children’s Services regarding family care plans, court referrals and follow ups needed.
• To facilitate workshops and information sharing with groups and professionals on the issue of domestic violence awareness and to educate on recognize, respond, refer.
• To liaise with colleagues from all sections of the team to ensure a Trauma Informed approach and empowerment model is used with all service users.
• To always observe and enforce a policy of strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of the service.
• To maintain and update accurate records of all files and any associated documentation using the Salesforce database, in a timely and professional manner.
• To attend and participate fully in all team meetings, trainings and supervision provided by the company.
• To work according to Children First guidelines and Teach Tearmainn’s Child Protection and Welfare policy.
• To represent the work and ethos of Teach Tearmainn Refuge in a professional and respectful manner at all times.
• To work under the direction and guidance of Management to ensure the highest possible level of care is maintained at all times.
• Communicate with Management on a regular basis and advise them in a timely manner of issues arising from work.
• To attend court hearings and give evidence as required.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the post, which may be assigned by the Refuge Coordinator or other designated officer.

Personal Specification 

Experience

Desirable

• At least two years’ experience case managing women and families who have experienced domestic violence and abuse, preferably in a domestic violence service.

Essential

• At least two years’ experience working with vulnerable women and their families
• Experience of working with families in crisis

Experience case managing complex cases.

• Experience of assessing the needs and risks to women and their families
• Demonstrable experience planning and delivering support and development sessions, including evidence-based programmes to women as a group or individually
• Experience of working as part of a team and ability to organise own workload
• Experience of prioritising caseload safely and sensitively
• Experience of strong interagency working and joint service provision
• Qualifications
• Minimum 3rd level degree (BA in Social Care or Applied Social Studies or equivalent) and relevant experience of working with women and families.
• Ability to communicate effectively, particularly with vulnerable women about issues affecting their lives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including report writing
• Be able to liaise and promote strong interagency working with relevant agencies with responsibility for women and their family’s needs.
• Ability to work on own initiative and have strong self- motivation. The ability to be reliable and flexible in work practices as well as being a strong team player whilst always maintaining a positive attitude is also essential.
• To create, plan, develop and implement support plans and programmes for women based on their identified needs.
• An ability to assess situations and act appropriately and professionally, using problem solving processes that meet the needs of women experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
• Using professional experience and judgement in line with the organisation’s policies to undertake risk assessments and undertake safety plans for each woman safely and appropriately
• Demonstrable facilitation skills for the development and delivery of group programmes with women.

Knowledge and Understanding Of:

• A theoretical understanding domestic violence, attachment, trauma, individual and group programme planning, intervention processes and evaluation of the work
• Evidence based programmes and approaches to working with women affected by trauma and to demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of trauma on children and young people
• Current legislation and key policy documents relevant to women experiencing domestic violence and abuse
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures and child protection issues
• Working knowledge of domestic violence and the associated issues facing women and children
• Other requirements
• Ability to work in a non-judgemental manner and a commitment to the equality and human rights of women, children and young people and utilise a women centred empowerment approach
• Hold an up to date full driving licence and have the use of a vehicle
• Willingness to participate in appropriate training as required

Application process

To Apply, please email: recruitment@teachtearmainn.ie by 10/05/2025 at 5pm

Website: www.teachtearmainn.ie

This position is offered subject to Garda Vetting. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.