Job Title: Project Worker

Location: Sophia Housing – Donabate, Co. Dublin

About Sophia

Sophia is a national organisation, who has been supporting people as they emerge from homelessness since 1997.

Sophia is a niche service provider for two reasons; Firstly, it sees the provision of home of one’s own as the primary response to homelessness and the intervention that Sophia is exclusively focused on. Secondly as an Approved Housing Body, its core mission is to provide homes for individuals, couples and families who not only need a home but also present with other support needs.

Sophia recognises that homelessness can have a traumatic impact on people and that services need to be designed and delivered in a trauma informed way.

Reporting to: Project Manager

Contract: Permanent Contract

Benefits:

Sophia offers the following additional benefits to employees:

• 25 Annual Leave Days (39 hour week)
• Additional Long Service annual leave
• 5% Employer pension contribution
• Further education and training support
• Employee assistance Programme
• Flexible working arrangements

Hours: An average of 36 hours per week; Monday to Sunday with a rolling rota between the hours of 8am and 10pm

Job Purpose

To provide an efficient and high quality service in our Donabate Project. The successful candidate will work on a daily basis with families and individuals coming from homelessness. They will manage a caseload in a busy project, key work individuals, carry out assessments and care plans and regularly liaise with other agencies/authorities on behalf of the residents.

Key Responsibilities

• To have regard for the objectives and ethos of Sophia Housing Association.
• To work as a member of the Support Team under the supervision of the Project Manager.
• To attend Team meetings and to participate in training as required.
• To participate in the assessment and interview process for referrals to the service.
• To work in a holistic and trauma informed way with Family Members and Individuals as appropriate to their housing management and personal needs.
• To provide practical home support to residents when required.
• To provide resettlement preparation as required.
• To respond to and report child protection concerns in line with Children First guidelines.
• To liaise with appropriate local crèche facilities.
• To plan for and assist Families and Individuals as appropriate with their move on from the Projects.
• To liaise and work effectively with relevant personnel in Sophia Housing, and other relevant agencies; e.g. Local Authority, Health Board etc.
• To set up and maintain appropriate records of the work with Tenants and the work of the Project.
• To ensure Tenancy/Licence Agreement are understood by residents and to attend Tenancy/Placement Meetings when required.
• To co-operate as appropriate with research and evaluation of the service.
• To implement Policy and Procedures within the service.
• To participate in responding to emergencies within the Projects as required.
• To share administrative duties within the Team; e.g. Rent Collection, Petty Cash, etc.
• To promote resident involvement in the development of the Projects.
• To check on the maintenance of the apartments/houses within the Projects.
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager.
• To undertake other work that may be assigned to you from time to time.

Person Specification

• A minimum degree in Social Care/Social Science/Applied Social Studies or related discipline i.e. addiction, social work.
• A minimum of one years’ experience working with this client group.
• An understanding of the issues affecting people who are homeless.
• Knowledge around child protection issues, mental health issues and addiction.
• The ability to work on own initiative.
• Proficient IT Skills and knowledge of PASS database.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills both verbal and written are essential.
• To have excellent report writing and record keeping skills

Application Process:

Please forward a Cover Letter and CV to Recruitment@sophia.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 15th April 2025