Project Worker

Role

The role has two specific areas in which the post holder will work:

Family Support Practitioner Project Worker for refugee families from Ukraine and families seeking international protection living in International Protection Accommodation Services accommodation centres across Laois and Offaly, to support the pathway for integrated community based child and family support services. Two days per week

Families and children within the Tullamore catchment area in the Barnardos Centre in Tullamore. Three days per week

Job Purpose Objective

• Develop and implement programmes that respond to the needs of children and families referred to the service working in partnership with families and other organisational community and voluntary bodies

• Provide support that improves the quality of life for families in state provided accommodation such as International Protection Accommodation Services accommodation centres, emergency accommodation centres, National Reception Centre, National Hub, Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, while promoting the personal social and educational development of children young people and their parents always keeping the child at the forefront of the work

• Work in partnership with Tusla services, community based statutory agencies and community and voluntary service providers, International Protection Accommodation Services accommodation providers, local Child and Family Support Networks and Children and Young People Services Committees

• Support the Meitheal early intervention practice model to coordinate a child centred approach to individual family needs led support and parenting support

Core Job Requirements

• Plan implement and review programmes for children young people carers families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs

• Change and adapt to new programmes and models of service in line with evidence based research and required training

• Be vigilant for signs of physical sexual and emotional abuse neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children. Record concerns promptly and accurately. Consult with the Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with Barnardos Child Protection policy

• Work with children young people carers families in a variety of ways including group work individual work and family work centre based and outreach work

• Key work individual children young people carers families in order to meet their needs and to advocate on their behalf

• Liaise effectively with families and other statutory community and voluntary bodies and attend and contribute to reviews case conferences and court as required

• Work in partnership with other Barnardos services to best meet the needs of children and families by collaborating resources with planned interventions targeting groups families of shared need

• Keep regular records in relation to all aspects of work and prepare reports as required

• Gather information statistics and prepare reports as required including administration of databases as appropriate to the role

• Identify and document to the line manager any unmet needs of children young people carers families within the service and participate in the advocacy work of the agency

Requirements Specific to This Post

• Work with children and families using the range of service offered

• Contribute to an analysis of unmet need

• Share knowledge in terms of this catchment area

• Contribute to ongoing evaluation of the service

• Collaborate with line manager in developing the role of the Family Support Project Worker and the team

Project Worker Person Specification

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to the delivery of quality services to children young people families and carers

• Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate

• Ability to work under pressure and make decisions in consultation with the line manager when appropriate

• Commitment to adhering to best practice in the work and be innovative and open to change

• Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post

• Ability to form objective relationships with children young people families carers colleagues and other agencies

Experience

• A minimum of two years post qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families which may consist of up to one year relevant equivalent experience and at least one year post qualification relevant experience

• Experience of working in partnership with families and carers

• Experience of planning implementing and reviewing programmes with children and or families

Qualifications

A recognised third level practice qualification at minimum Level 7 on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland framework in one of the following: Early Childhood Care and Education, Social Care, Education, Social Work, Youth Work or related discipline such as Nursing, Psychology or Early Years Education

Applicants with a Social Care or Social Work qualification must be registered with the Health and Social Care Professionals Council as a Social Care Worker or Social Worker respectively. Those eligible for registration must provide evidence that registration is in process

A full driving licence and access to a suitably insured car is essential

The post holder is initially assigned to work from the Tullamore Family Support Service and may be required in the future to work in other projects in the Midlands area in line with organisational needs

Salary: €37,498.00 - €57,961.00 per year