Job Title: Youth Justice Worker- West Tallaght Youth Diversion Project

Job Reference: FRGJOB_1180
Number of Posts: 1
Locations: Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Foróige

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation enables young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Foróige employs over 600 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high-quality services to young people through the operation of over 400 Foróige Clubs, the Big Brother Big Sister Programme and over 140 General Youth Services and Special Projects - including over 40 Youth Diversion Projects.

Project & role information

The West Tallaght YDP is a Youth Diversion Project that currently supports and engages young people in Jobstown, Brookfield, Fettercairn, City West & surrounding areas.

As part of the expansion of the project that has taken place in recent years, there is now a vacancy for a Youth Justice Worker to work with young people in the Brookfield area.

Youth Diversion Projects are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have been involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate learning and personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. The projects also work with young people who are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour and their families. By doing so, the projects contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda/community relations.

The Youth Justice Worker will work as part of the West Tallaght Youth Diversion Project team, working to engage and support young people aged 12+. The purpose of the role is to identify and respond to the needs of participants with the overall aim of reducing offending behaviour.

This project is part of a network of Youth Diversion Projects; funded by the Department of Justice and by the European Social Fund and Dormant Accounts, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána under the National Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 and will be managed by Foróige.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifying and engaging young people aged 12 upwards, who are engaged in detected or undetected offending as well as those deemed at risk of offending or re-offending.
• Assessing and responding to the needs of such young people in accordance with Foróige policy and procedures and Youth Diversion Project operational requirements.
• Engaging these young people in a process of learning and development that will enable them to examine their own offending and to make positive lifestyle choices that will protect them from involvement in criminal, harmful or socially unacceptable behaviours.
• Building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with young people in the project
• Developing creative and responsive individual case plans to meet the identified needs of project participants.
• Advocating for and supporting young people to access school / further education /training and employment opportunities.
• Implementing this engagement through a process of both individual and group-work and through outreach work / house-calls as required.
• Engaging and supporting parents/ guardians to engage effectively in their young person’s social and personal development to facilitate positive behaviour change.
• Ensuring compliance with Foróige policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Operating in accordance with the YDP Operational Requirements.
• Completing accurately and on time all of 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 Foróige team.
• Any such other relevant duties as the board of Foróige and/or the Chief Executive Officer or the nominee of the Chief Executive shall deem necessary for the effective implementation and the policy and programmes of Foróige and the Youth Diversion Project.

Professional Qualifications and Experience 

(E=Essential; D=Desirable)

• Education to Degree standard preferably in the area of Youth/ Justice/ Social / Family /Community Work (E) (candidates with exceptional, relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications)
• Ability to relate to parents and young people and engage the target group (E)
• Relevant paid or voluntary experience of working with young people or parents (E)
• Experience in a YDP or similar youth or family work role. (D)
• Experience and understanding of YDP work and of working with young people and families facing adversity (D)
• Access to a car and full driving licence. (D)

Person Specification

(All Essential requirements)

• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to be proactive, use own initiative and work effectively within a pressurised environment
• Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a team
• Excellent written communications skills, including report writing and the ability to draft summary information and correspondence.
• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes.
• Good computer skills, including Word & Excel, PowerPoint and Social Media skills

Requirements of all Foróige staff 

(All Essential Requirements)

• Commitment to the purpose of Foróige and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation
• To act consistently in a professional manner at all times
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours will be required

Youth Diversion Projects & the National Youth Justice Strategy

All interventions delivered through Foróige YDPs, are needs led, evidence based and outcomes focused with a view to reducing the likelihood of a young person offending or re-offending. As such, the interventions vary from project to project, based on the individual needs and circumstances of the young people, their families and their communities. Interventions can take place in both group and one to one settings, on site in a project premises, or reaching out to the community and other suitable spaces.

The National Youth Justice Strategy 2021 to 2027 has created more opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young people, families and communities.

The vision of the Strategy is “Collaborating across all sectors of government and society in the development and delivery of opportunities for children and young people, to harness support in their families and communities in order to strengthen their capacities to live free from crime and harm”. The Strategy focuses on maximising the opportunities for promoting positive behaviour change in young people who are at risk of coming into contact with the youth justice system. The Strategy is grounded in the real-life experiences of these young people in Ireland, having been developed following a comprehensive process of consultation with a broad range of stakeholders invested in the lives of at risk young people, their families and communities. It takes a rights-based approach to working with young people at risk, and is underpinned by a “no wrong door” principle outlining a commitment to child centred wrap around services. The Strategy emphasises the development of evidence informed programmes, interventions and supports, across all areas of the youth justice system including court processes, detention and legislation, as well as early intervention and diversion measures.

The strategy prioritises implementation of measures to enhance existing Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) including the expansion of YDPs, ensuring full geographical coverage, so that every young person who requires a service, will have access to it. The strategy will also support the development of a range of new supports & interventions within YDPs, including initiatives for Early Intervention, Family Support and working with harder-to-reach children and young people.

Benefits

Salary: This will be based off of the Foróige Youth Officer Salary scale: €37,436, €38,994, €40,552, €42,113, €43,671, €45,235, €46,798, €49,127, €51,457

Annual Leave: 29 days annual leave plus Good Friday

Pension: Contributory pension benefits.

Training & Development: Structured onboarding together with a 9-day Foróige Induction Programme. Ongoing CPD.

Study Leave: Up to 5 days paid Study Leave per year of course.

Organisation Culture: Support & Supervision policy and practises that supports your professional development.

EAP: 24/7 Employee Assistance

Career Break: Up to 2 years Career Break after 3 years’ service.

Unpaid Leave: Up to 6 months Unpaid Leave Break after 1 year service

Flexible Work: Flexible work practices that support work life balance.

Maternity and Paternity Benefit: Top up Maternity and Paternity Benefit pay.

Other Information

Garda vetting: Candidates under consideration for employment in Foróige will be subject to Garda vetting.

Hours of work: You will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. The position will require flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that you will work some late evenings/ nights per week and some weekend work.

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

Applications: 

Please complete the Foróige Application form online.

Closing Date - 8th of May at 12pm