Social Worker

Location: 58 Amiens Street, Dublin 1
Position: Social Worker
Type: Full-time

About Us:

SAOL Project works with women who experience severe and multiple disadvantage – primarily addiction but also including combinations of (but not limited to) poverty, domestic and interpersonal violence, mental ill health, sex work, coming from care, homelessness, engagement with criminal justice and trauma (including the trauma of having children removed into care).

SAOL supports all our participants as they navigate the cumulative impact of their interconnected needs in a systemic environment of stigmatising and patriarchal expectations of vulnerability, intentionality and deservingness.

SAOL are a dedicated community-based women's drug service and the role of Social Worker is integrated into the SAOL model with specific roles and duties to meet particular demands of the women and children SAOL work with.

Role Overview: 

The Social Worker will play a crucial role in delivering personalized support to women dealing with substance use issues/ DSGBV /justice involvement/poverty and trauma. This position involves working closely with clients to assess their needs, develop individualized care plans, and provide ongoing support and advocacy. The social worker role has a specific focus on rights-based advocacy with Mothers who have contact with child protection processes and systems including advocacy in court settings. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the complexities surrounding intersectional issue, co occurring issues and the interface with the child protection system.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Assessment and Support:
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand participants needs, strengths, and challenges.
  • Develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with participants and other professionals.
  • Provide one-on-one support including key working to women participants in SAOL.
  • Facilitate group process based on psycho educational models of practice.
  • Individual case management including care planning of people with complex needs.
  • Ability to collaborate and work effectively with multiple agencies.
  • Ability to communicate complex and difficult information to multiple audiences.
• Advocacy and Referral:
  • Advocate for mothers of the SAOL project particularly in social work meetings, child in care reviews, case conferences and all and any childcare proceedings.
  • Provide effective advocacy for mothers whose children are subject to court proceedings. Advocate for rights-based participation of the mother in all and any setting.
  • Contribute to a best practice approach to child protection and child welfare in a community of practice within SAOL.
  • Refer clients to appropriate services, including healthcare, housing, legal aid, and employment support.
  • Collaborate with other agencies and professionals to ensure a coordinated approach to care.
• Group Work and Community Engagement:
  • Facilitate support group, specifically SAOL’s support group for mothers whose children are in care.
  • Innovate and respond with creativity and dynamism to the changing needs of the community which SAOL serve.
  • Engage with the community to raise awareness about SAOL supports and the specific role of Social Worker within the SAOL model of practice. .
  • Participate in outreach activities to engage with/ connect with SAOL women and build relationships within the community.
  • Contribute to work of SAOL in all its forms particularly front facing engagement of SAOL community.
• Record Keeping and Reporting:
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions and progress.
  • Prepare reports and documentation as required by the service.
  • Ensure confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.

Qualifications:

• Recognized MSW/ BSW or equivalent.
• Registration with the relevant professional body (e.g., CORU).
• Experience working with individuals affected by substance use, preferably in a community setting.
• Strong understanding of the issues faced by women in relation to substance use.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Personal Attributes:

• Compassionate and Empathetic approach.
• Feminist approach to women with intersectional needs.
• Strong advocacy skills.
• Ability to work within an ever changing and complex environment .
• Excellent reflective practice skills
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and care.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Being part of a dynamic, innovative and unique model of engagement of women .
• Member of a multi skilled and supportive staff team.
• Environment of collaboration, innovation and support for staff.

How to Apply: 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability and interest in the role to Réidín Dunne. Head of Services, SAOL Project at reidin@saolproject.ie 

Please submit applications by close of business Thursday 29th of May 2025. Interviews will be held on June 4th 2025 in person.