Professionally Qualified Social Worker

The Housing Department of Galway City Council delivers a wide range of social housing supports, including Homeless Services, HAP, RAS, Long‑Term Leasing, Traveller Accommodation, allocations to Approved Housing Body tenancies, as well as social housing tenancies in Galway City Council properties. The Council manages over 2,900 housing units, providing maintenance, estate management, and tenant support services. The Council also manages a social housing waiting list of more than 4,000 households.

Social workers in the Housing Department provide a generic housing‑related social work service for tenants and housing applicants. Reporting to the Senior Social Worker (or designated officer), the role requires upholding professional values, working with integrity, and collaborating closely with internal teams and external agencies.

The social work team in Galway City Council support vulnerable individuals and groups with a broad range of needs. The social workers respond to referrals relating to council tenants, housing applicants, older persons, Travellers, vulnerable adults (including safeguarding), child welfare concerns, disability (intellectual, physical, sensory, autism), mental health, homelessness and HAP claimants, domestic abuse, LGBTQI+ individuals, and other marginalised groups such as refugees and asylum seekers.

In addition, social workers provide professional interventions, including family needs assessments, crisis response, bereavement support, advocacy, and assessments under the Assisted Decision‑Making (Capacity) Act 2015.

The role focuses on supporting individuals and families experiencing challenges affecting their wellbeing or ability to maintain housing. Using a strengths‑based approach, the Social worker assesses needs, identifies solutions with clients, and makes appropriate referrals or recommendations to relevant services

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties shall include but are not limited to:

·       The provision of Social Work and welfare services to housing applicants and housing tenants with particular emphasis on key target groups, as outlined above. The role is to support clients of Social Housing sections in attaining and sustaining tenancies with strong emphasis on inter-agency working to support the housing client.

·       Responding to cases that have been assigned by the Senior Social Worker utilising a referrals and caseload management system.

·       Social Workers carry out evidenced based, holistic assessments utilising a systems, strengths-based approach and trauma informed approach to determine needs and appropriate interventions to assist in informing service delivery. This may be completed as part of an initial Social Work referral or as part of a changing need for existing, open cases. Assessment can be a once-off piece or an ongoing process in determining needs and planning interventions for longer term clients. Assessments take place when cases are referred or re-referred. Intervention and assessment should identify a clear purpose for input, analysis of information and evidence-based recommendations to assist with and inform service delivery. Social Work assessments are valuable processes to have available within local authority housing sections to inform appropriate responses on cases. They contribute significantly to Social Housing assessments when required on referred cases thus leading to better outcomes for clients.

·       Engage with persons referred for Social Work intervention/support and arrange for engagement with (external) agencies as determined.

·       Support the work of Action Teams within the local authority - homeless, disability etc.

·       Undertake needs assessments for housing applicants and housing tenants, including the key target groups, seeking accommodation supports.

·       Make recommendations on allocations of social housing (include AHB nominations) with particular emphasis on the key target groups, as outlined above.

·       Ensure best practice in terms of child safeguarding within Council activities and act as Deputy Child Protection Liaison Officer and Deputy Sex Offender Liaison Officer (SOLO) on behalf of the Council.

·       In line with professional social worker standards, maintain appropriate records and generate reports on clients and other projects as required.

·       Receive referral from housing colleagues where the estate management/anti-social behaviour issues are determined to require social work intervention and to work with the client/tenant to address the issues arising including referral to external agencies.

·       Liaise with agencies (including but not limited to the HSE, TUSLA, Probation service, Irish Prison Services, An Garda Siochána etc.) to support the needs of housing clients and attend inter-agency meetings and case conferences as required.

·       Attend Committee meetings as required, including but not limited to the Tusla Aftercare Steering Committee and LTACC.

·       Undertake the duties of the Deputy Child Protection Liaison Office as per Galway City Council’s Child Protection Policy and 2015 Children First Act. Ensure best practice in terms of child safeguarding within Council activities.

·       Advise and assist in miscellaneous family and personal problems, including relations between tenants.

·       As required, advise and make recommendations to the local authority on the formulation of policy with a focus on the accommodation of housing customers particularly the marginalised and vulnerable throughout the county.

·       Participate in the review of the statutory Traveller Accommodation Plan.

·       Co-ordinate the various sections of the Local Authority in regard to service provision for housing customers particularly the key target groups and co- ordinate these services with those of voluntary organisations engaged in work on behalf of these clients.

·       Review policies under the direction and support of the Senior Executive Officer/Director of Service and assist in their implementation for marginalised and vulnerable housing clients.

·       Assist in the implementation of new and existing initiatives on all housing related matters.

·       To undertake additional training and continued professional development as required.

·       Any other duties that may be assigned.

Reporting

Report to the Senior Social Worker, Housing Department and/or other as may be the designated by the Director of Services, Housing Department or by the Chief Executive.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1.     Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.     Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3.     Citizenship:

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

                 i.          A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

               ii.          A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

             iii.          A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

             iv.          A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

               v.          A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa  or

             vi.          A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

4.     Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a)   hold a professional qualification in Social Work prescribed under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended):

OR

have a Letter of Validation issued by CORU/National Social Work Qualifications Board;

(b)  be eligible for registration with CORU;

(c)  possess a high standard of administrative and management experience;

And

(d)  satisfactory experience in social work as will enable him or her to discharge the duties of the office;

Driving Licence Requirement Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full unendorsed valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, (Link below).

https://www.ndls.ie/help/faq.html#exchange-of-foreign-driving-licences

*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Desirable:

It is desirable that candidates should have the following:

·       Experience of social work within a housing context.

·       Knowledge and experience of crisis intervention.

·       Knowledge and experience of a range of social work models / interventions.

·       Experience of working with vulnerable adults.

·       Experience in relation to child protection.

·       Have a minimum of two years post qualifying social work experience.

Each candidate must include on the application form details of all qualifications obtained by them. The invitation to attend for Interview is not to be regarded as an admission that you possess the prescribed qualifications and/or requirements for this post or are you qualified by law to hold the post. Documentary proof will be required before appointment where you claim credit for particular qualification, experience, etc.

Type of Post

Future relevant permanent and temporary posts will be filled from the panel(s) formed. The post(s) will be whole-time, permanent/temporary and pensionable.

Remuneration

The annual salary is as follows:

Point

01/02/2026

1

€55,761

2

€58,387

3

€61,036

4

€63,707

5

€66,364

6

€69,025

7

€71,689

LSI 1

€73,081

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates should note that the starting salary is not subject to negotiation. Entry into the pay scale above the minimum point will only apply to existing public servants in the context of the relevant Government Pay Circulars. Candidates who are not covered by such Circulars will enter the pay scale at the minimum point i.e. €55,761

The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to and received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

Probation:

(a)       there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation,

(b)       such period shall be 12 months but, the Chief Executive may at their discretion extend such period,

(c)       such persons shall cease to hold the position at end of the period of probation unless during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Hours of Duty

The person appointed will be required to work a 35 hour week. The successful candidate will be required to log their hours of work in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and will be required to co-operate with the use of technologies to record such hours.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave entitlement will be 30 days per annum.

Residence:

Holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Work Permit

All non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a valid work permit prior to and for the duration of their contract. The work permit must allow you to work full time for Galway City Council. It is the responsibility of individual employees to ensure that you have a valid work permit. If at any stage during your contract you cease to hold a valid work permit you must immediately advise Galway City Council and your employment will cease with immediate effect.

Outside Employment:

The position is whole-time and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.

Driving Licence:

Applicants should at the date of applying hold a full unendorsed valid Irish /EU licence, for Class B vehicles, or a licence acceptable to NDLS for transfer to full Irish licence, The successful candidate will be required to provide their own transport. Expenses incurred in work related travel will be recompensed in line with departmental circulars.

Garda Vetting:

The successful applicant may be required to undergo Garda Vetting prior to appointment.

Superannuation Contribution:

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority, who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of the State Pension Contributory).

Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.