Drugs & Alcohol Youth Worker required to Join Detached Street Work Team, Connect4

1 Full-time position
1 Part-time position

Locations: Killinarden & Jobstown

South Dublin County Partnership is a local development company in South Dublin County. We develop and deliver projects to tackle poverty and social exclusion across the county. We do this through working together with people, local groups, and partner organisations to address the issues that matter most. Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) is a project of SDCP, tasked with providing a more coordinated approach to addressing substance misuse issues in Tallaght and Whitechurch.

Detached youth work is a distinct form of youth work that engages the most at risk, marginalised young people, aged between 10-24yrs, on the streets rather than in a conventional youth work setting.

SDCP is seeking a Drugs & Alcohol Youth Worker to join the Connect4 Street Work Team in a busy and dynamic environment; to engage young people in the Killinarden and Jobstown areas of Tallaght that are effected/impacted by drug and alcohol use and related harm, in innovative, needs based, evidence informed programmes. Detached street work is a new and exciting area of work for TDATF and we are seeking individuals with a passion for supporting at risk young people and an understanding of the value of interagency work.

The position requires an individual that can work as part of a team to engage with young people on the streets, particularly those who are vulnerable and at-risk of drug and alcohol related harm. The roles include relationship building, networking, one to one work, group work, mentoring, referrals, non-formal education programmes, advocacy, and goal focused work. Other duties will include reporting on the various programmes and interventions, interagency work, best practice.

Background

Killinarden is an area in West Tallaght that is made up of 27 Small Areas with an approximate population of 7,433. According to the Pobal Deprivation Index, 18 small areas in Killinarden are classed between disadvantaged and very disadvantaged. In 2017 Killinarden had the highest local area of unemployment in Tallaght (32.9%).

Jobstown is an area in West Tallaght with a growing population of 17,824 (2016). It is the largest community and has the highest percentage of young people within the TDATF area. In 2017, the unemployment rate in Jobstown was 22.59%.

Both Killinarden and Jobstown have identified growing trends of increased drug trends among those most marginalised that has seen many young people become involved in drug use, drug dealing and activities that may cause significant risk to them. As a result, some young people have become more socially excluded within their communities.

Target groups include:

• Young people not engaged in education, employment, or training.
• Young people socially isolated in their own community.
• Young people participating in risky anti-social behaviours.
• Young people significantly impacted by drug and alcohol use.
• Young people at risk of becoming involved in crime, including being recruited into the drugs trade.

Job Summary

The person will be required to work as part of the TDATF Team. The Detached Street Work initiative will be managed day to day by a team leader and overseen by the TDATF Coordinator & CEO of SDCP. The main focus is to work with young people age 10 – 24yrs effected/impacted by drug and alcohol use and related harm in the Killinarden and Jobstwon areas of Tallaght.

A key focus of the Detached Street Work Team is to reduce the risk of harm to the target group and actively promote alternative pathways. This role will compliment the existing youth services in the Killinarden and Jobstown communities. The team will work in line with the ethos that underpins SDCP and its principles/values as a professional community organisation.

Evening work and flexibility required.

Please see Job Description & Application Form attached below

Application Process

Postal Applications:

Applicants should pay particular attention to the essential and desirable criteria in the job description, your suitability and why you are the best candidate for this post in question. Please send three copies of your up-to-date detailed CV (no more than 2 pages) and cover letter accompanied with completed confidential form marked Drugs & Alcohol Street Youth Workers Post Job Ref: 136/2024
To: Administration & Operations Department,
South Dublin County Partnership,
Unit D1, Nangor Road Business Park,
Nangor Road, Dublin 12.

Or alternatively email your application to jobs@sdcpartnership.ie – subject box to be marked Drugs & Alcohol Street Youth Workers Post Job Ref: 136/2024

Closing date for receipt of application is 5pm on 24th May 2024
Late applications will not be considered. Shortlisting will apply.

Please provide the names, address, occupation, and contact details of two referees. (Contact will not be made without prior notification to you). Please note that no individual correspondence will be entered.

A panel may be formed.

The post is subject to Garda vetting.

South Dublin County Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer