Social Care Worker - Learning Centres

Hours: 38 per week Term Time

Reporting to: Social care leader

Location: Dublin

Salary: 34.466-35,920 pro rata

Role overview

Peter McVerry Trust is a national housing and homeless charity committed to reducing homelessness and the harm caused by substance misuse and social disadvantage.

Peter McVerry Trust Learning Centres provide young people with a high-quality education programme. Our learning centres follow the formal junior certificate programmes of education. Our learning centres support young people who are unable to access or maintain education placements in the mainstream setting due to many reasons such as educational, behavioural, social or emotional challenges.

Our learning centres follow a strengths-based approach to working with young people. PMVT Learning Centres promote a non-judgmental support, empowerment and equality while enabling young people to see the positive impact education has on their future.

PMVT learning Centres adapt a trauma- informed approach in the provision of education. The teaching team are supported by a team of social care workers who are training in trauma-informed care. The social care team provide a warm welcoming and safe environment for vulnerable students. All students are allocated a key worker who will support them throughout their placement to access additional supports where required and will help the student to create, develop and engage in an action-based support plan. This support plan will allow the student to engage in additional personal development supports during their educational placement.

Our teachers & social care workers design a tailored learning plan with and for each student. Teachers will use this plane to meet the needs of each individual student.
The social care team work with the student to plan for life after graduation.

Our team support the student to identify their personal goals and to seek out further education and training opportunities upon their graduation from PMVT Learning Centres.

Responsibilities

The role of Social Care Worker will include but not limited to, the following key responsibilities;

• To the Manager/Team Leader/Social Care Leader:
  • To work for Peter McVerry Trust within the authority delegated to him/her by the Manager/Team Leader/Social Care Leader;
  • Meet with the Manager/Team Leader/Social Care Leader at regular intervals regarding the progress of his/her work;
  • To assist the Manager/Team Leader/Social Care Leader in the day to day running of the project.
• To provide direct support to students through:
  • Creating a safe and inclusive educational space where students are happy to attend daily.
  • Intervention, support and supervision;
  • When required, advocacy and referral to community youth services;
  • Support students to engage in the education programme through positive communication and promotion.
  • Support the students to gain awareness and understanding of their individual challenges and allow them a safe and inclusive space in which they can develop.
  • Planning recreational and/or group activities.
• To assist with Students’ case work through:
  • Communication with staff of Peter McVerry Trust where relevant
  • Provide individualised key working to assigned students ensure they are supported to remain fully engaged in the learning centre programme.
  • Development of ICSP’s (Individual Crisis Support Plans) with students.
  • Ensuring that Students are fully informed about all policies and guide them to understand the daily operations of the learning centre.
• To maintain a safe and healthy living environment through:
  • Adherence to safety and security protocols;
  • Ensuring that the environment is maintained to a high standard at all times;
  • Keeping stock of household necessities and purchasing weekly groceries;
  • Preparing and providing meals for students and where possible include the students to support the development of their independent living skills;
  • Advice and help to students with social care guidance;
  • Mediating disputes and encouraging understanding and acceptance.
• To undertake administrative duties through:
  • Maintaining students’ details and documentation;
  • Actively participating in staff meetings;
  • Providing written reports to the Manager/ Team Leader/Social Care Leader where necessary;
  • Recording any Incidents / Accidents that may occur.
• Change in work programme:
  • It may be necessary, from time to time, for workload to be re-prioritised in order to accommodate workloads in other areas of the organization. Due notice and consultation will be given.
• To have a positive and enthusiastic attitude in work:
  • In your interactions with management, staff and Students of the Peter McVerry Trust.
  • In your interactions with external agencies while representing the Peter McVerry Trust.
• Other Duties:
  • Undertake any other agreed duties to ensure the provision of the service.

Experience Required

Qualifications, Skills and Experience required;

• Degree level qualification in social care/youth work, addiction studies or related field.
• Essential competencies: Commitment to providing the highest level of service, respect for others, openness to change, communication skills– oral, aural and written, contributing to the prevention and management of challenging behavior, professionalism & maintaining professional boundaries and effective team working. (All other competencies to be reviewed as part of the supervision and support process
• Have experience in the area of working with young people.

Other Information

• Confidentiality: It is a condition of service that all information obtained during the course of employment, especially with regard to participants affairs is treated with the strictest confidence.
• Equal Opportunities: To implement Equal Opportunities into your daily practice at all times
• Health and Safety: To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your Colleagues in accordance with relevant PMVT policies and procedures.

To apply please download the application form or visit pmvtrust.ie/careers: Application Form

Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@pmvtrust.ie along with your CV and Cover Letter.

Closing date: 15th November

Peter McVerry Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 
Registration Number 412953 | Charity Number CHY7256