School Completion Project Worker

About Foróige

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation aims to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society.

Foróige employs over 500 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high-quality services to young people through the operation of Foróige Clubs, Youth Services, and Youth Support Projects. These community-based and supported initiatives are run across Ireland, in rural and urban environments, in partnership with various voluntary and statutory agencies.

The organisation is a registered charity and is supported by statutory, philanthropic, and corporate funding. Foróige is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices.

Project Information

The School Completion Programme is a targeted programme that aims to increase the number of children and young people staying in primary and post-primary school and, in doing so, improve the number who successfully complete the Senior Cycle or equivalent. The School Completion Programme works with students aged 4–18. The focus of the programme is to work with those who may be at risk of educational disadvantage through early school leaving.

The School Completion Programme aims to positively impact:

• Attendance
• Retention
• Participation

The School Completion Programme is a national programme and an action under the Department of Education & Skills DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School Plan (2017).

The programme provides a range of local targeted interventions in disadvantaged schools and communities designed to support the retention of children and young people in education.

The School Completion Programme is funded by Tusla Educational Support Services.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: SCP Project Worker, Avonmore School Completion Programme

Contract Type: Fixed Purpose – Secondment Cover

Responsible To: SCP Project Coordinator

Location: Arklow, Co. Wicklow

Hours: Minimum 35 hours per week

Annual Leave: 29 days per year (pro-rated)

The project is operated and managed on behalf of the Local Management Committee by Foróige.

Role Information & Key Duties

There is a staff team comprising Coordinators, Project Workers, and sessional staff. There is currently a vacancy for a full-time school-based Project Worker.

It should be understood that while School Completion Programme Project Workers are primarily engaged to work with either primary or secondary level students, duties may cross between and across all schools, and engagement may be required with older or younger students as the need arises.

The duties of the School Completion Programme Project Worker include, but are not limited to:

• Provision of direct one-to-one and group supports and interventions to identified children and young people in secondary and primary schools as part of the implementation and delivery of the School Completion Programme plan, as set by the Local Management Committee and supported by the Project Coordinator.
• Organising and facilitating in-school, out-of-school, after-school, and holiday-time supports and evidence-informed programmes for identified children and young people.
• Engaging the target group and supporting children and young people to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours in the areas of social and emotional literacy, personal effectiveness, school readiness, and educational achievement to enable effective participation in the school environment.
• Enabling and empowering pupils to participate in their formal education and other learning and development activities within the school environment.
• Working collaboratively with other Education and Welfare Services, including Home School Community Liaison, Education and Welfare Officers, the School Care Team, Principals, and other professionals to identify students to be engaged with the project and to plan coordinated interventions that complement SCP supports.
• Reporting to the Programme Coordinator and the Local Management Committee as required.
• Keeping up to date with local, regional, and national developments in the education and welfare sector in relation to both policy and practice.
• Completing reports, administrative tasks, attendance tracking, and managing student files as required.
• Following Foróige policies and procedures relating to child protection and other matters.
• Undertaking any other work relevant to the development of the programme as required.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

Essential (E)

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant area such as Social Care, Education, Youth Work, or similar.
• Minimum of 1 year relevant paid or voluntary experience working with young people in a similar role.

Desirable (D)

• Experience delivering evidence-informed or evidence-based programmes to young people.
• Knowledge and experience of Logic Model planning.
• Full Irish driving licence and access to a car.
• Knowledge of early school leaving factors in Ireland and familiarity with DEIS schools.

Person Specification (Essential)

• Empathy, approachability, and the ability to relate to young people.
• Understanding of and commitment to the purpose of the School Completion Programme.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people, and adults.
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to be proactive, use initiative, and work effectively in a pressurised environment.
• Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a team.
• Excellent written communication skills, including strong report-writing ability.
• Ability to implement and follow organisational guidelines and processes.
• Good computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and the internet.

Requirements of All Foróige Staff (Essential)

• Commitment to the purpose of Foróige and to working within the organisation's values, policies, and procedures.
• Act consistently in a professional manner at all times.
• Participate in regular supervision with your line manager.
• Flexibility regarding working hours to meet operational needs. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in appropriate training opportunities.
• Undertake other duties as requested by the Board of Foróige, the Chief Executive Officer, or their nominee.

Additional Considerations for the Role

Funding

It must be understood that if funding for the post is discontinued, the post holder's contract may be terminated.

Garda Vetting

As the role involves contact with children and young people, candidates under consideration for employment with Foróige will be subject to Garda Vetting.

References

The successful candidate will undergo two reference checks before commencing employment with Foróige.

Annual Leave

The Project Worker will be entitled to 29 days annual leave (pro rata), plus public holidays. The needs of the role must be considered when applying for leave.

Hours of Work

The Project Worker will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. Flexibility in working hours is required, including working before, during, and after school hours.

Salary

The salary for this position will be based on the CDYSB Youth Worker Scale.

Travel

This post will involve some domestic travel within Ireland and occasional meetings. Travel and expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate Foróige rates.

Base

The employment base for this post will be Arklow, Co. Wicklow.