Youth Worker - BOYNE Youth Diversion Project

Job Title: Youth Worker – Early Intervention

Duration: Initial 8-month contract

Hours of Work: 20 hrs a week with occasional weekend & evening work required

Location: Based in Drogheda- south

Salary: Scale ranging from €22,000 dependent on experience of candidate

Reports to: Regional Director

Job Context

The successful applicant will work within the spirit and values of Youth Work Ireland Louth. We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people in Ireland, have a creative approach to working with our target group, and are enthusiastic about working within a challenging and innovative environment.

Overview of the Role

Youth Worker early intervention 8-11 years is to reduce young people’s involvement in anti-social behaviour and prevent their involvement in crime through the creation of a bespoke wraparound intensive programme and engagement with youth work programmes. This initiative will be a community based preventative service working primarily with young people aged 8-11 who have been identified by the Gardaí, or schools, Túsla (Social Work and Education Welfare Office), and existing YDP staff, as being at serious risk of becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour and are too young to be considered for admission to a YDP.

The service will work with these young people, to promote pro-social behaviour and guide them to make informed decisions and positive life choices. There will be an emphasis on promoting school attendance and performance, as well as encouragement in extra-curricular activities with a pro-social focus. We are looking for a staff member who is interested in developing innovative and creative ways of engaging and motivating the target group. We recognise this work will be challenging and at times difficult and are looking for staff who will be committed, energetic and with the skills to develop a relationship with the target group.

Role Responsibilities:

Programme Delivery & Development

• Assessing and responding to the needs of young people aged 8-11 years old who are at risk of becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour in the future
• Engaging, building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with the target group on both a one to one and group basis,
• Offering early targeted intervention to this cohort of children though a range of different formats such as group-work, individual work, skills-based programmes, mentoring, referrals/signposting to other services and recreational activities as appropriate for the individual child.
• Designing, implementing and evaluating outcomes focused case plans and age-appropriate interventions that reaches and diverts identified 8– 11-year-olds before they reach the age in which they could be referred to the diversion programme.
• Engaging and supporting parents/ guardians to engage effectively in their young person’s social and personal development to facilitate positive behaviour change.
• Working collaboratively with the child, their families, the wider YDP team and any other relevant agency supporting the child.
• Operating in accordance with the YDP Operational Requirements.
• Completing accurately and on time all the administrative requirements of the project.
• Attending YDP referral assessment committee and advisory committee meetings as required and preparation of reports for same.
• Networking, co-operating, and enlisting the support of other agencies/organisations and community groups to enhance the development opportunities for project participants.
• Attending committee and team meetings as required by Management, Project Committee and Funders.
• Building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, particularly An Garda Síochána and other services engaged with young people in the catchment area.
• Administration, budget, and resource management including compiling plans and reports as required by the funder and ensuring that deadlines are adhered to.
• Working collaboratively as part of the YDP team and the wider YWI Louth team.

General Responsibilities

• On occasion support other programmes as required within YWI Louth.
• Ensure YWI Louths youth work approach is upheld
• Be familiar with and abide by the organisations policies and procedures, including child protection and health and safety guidelines.
• Engage in training and development opportunities and actively participate in the supervision process.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the organisation by playing an active role in the wider team.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to:

Chairperson Colm Howley, Unit 9a Partnership court Dundalk, Co, Louth or chairperson@ywilouth.ie by Wednesday 8th May 2024

Interviews will take place within the following week.

Youth Work Ireland Louth is an equal opportunities employer and is open to flexible working practices including job sharing.