Connect 4 Detached Street Work Programme
ROLE: Team Leader / Full-Time Position

Role & Responsibilities

South Dublin County Partnership (SDCP) requires a Team Leader to guide and oversee the day to day running of their Connect 4 Street Work Team in a busy and dynamic environment; to engage young people in the Killinarden and Jobstown areas of Tallaght that are impacted by drug and alcohol use and related harm, in innovative, needs based, evidence informed programmes. Detached street work is an exciting area of work for TDATF and SDCP, we need an experieced and charismatic individual with a passion for supporting at risk young people and an understanding of the value of interagency work & supervision.

Th position requires an individual that can guide 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 role includes managing staff, relationship building, networking, mentoring, planning, measuring impact and reporting. Other duties will include reporting on the various programmes and interventions, interagency work, best practice.

Overview of Team Leader Role

The Team Leader has responsibility for the day-to-day work of their team and the development of their programme in accordance with the objectives set out by the Connect 4 model and annual work plan.
Team leaders should motivate and support their staff to be creative, competent, and passionate in their work. They created a sense of team with their staff.
In addition to the team leader responsibilities below additional responsibilities may also exist.
The Connect 4 Team Leader reports directly to their line manager, Task Force Coordinator, who reports directly to the CEO of SDCP.

The Connect 4 Detached Street Work Project, which started in April 2022, consists of 4 street-based youth workers and a team leader, supporting detached vulnerable young people in West Tallaght, Killinarden, and Jobstown.

Model: The project is based on the Easy Street model which started in Sweden and was previously adopted by the TRY Project in Dublin 8 and BRYR in Ballymun.

Rationale: Over several years, it became clear to South Dublin County Partnership and Tallaght Local Drugs & Alcohol Task Force that a more targeted approach to youth work / prevention was required in very disadvantaged areas of West Tallaght.

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, reporitng directly to TDATF Coordinator. The main focus of the role is to provide the Connect 4 Project with leadership, support and guidance, post-pilot; Managing a team that 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 project 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

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Successful candidates will:

• Support & empower a team of 4 street workers, employed to work with young people age 10 – 24yrs effected/impacted by substance misuse and substance related harm on the streets in named communites
• Provide leadership in the context of the Connect 4 model (2023)
• Establish effective working relationships with key youth / community organisations
• Establish effective working relationships with established drug/alcohol projects in TDATF area
• Promote the work of Connect 4 as required
• Participate in any project evaluations as needed
• Assess local needs in conjunction with the TDATF/SDCP team and other local drug/alcohol services and develop work plan to effectively respond
• Report directly to line manager, TDATF Coordinator and participate in regular meetings of the Connect 4 advisory group
• Be flexible in approach and in allocating time to meet identified/emerging needs
• Use evidence informed models of intervention
• Ensure team members are competent to develop and deliver workshops, targeted interventions, programmes & individual care plans for the specified target groups
• Operate in line with the ethos of SDCP and in line with Children First Guidelines
• Record the work programme and plans in line with SDCP procedures
• Engage fully with any recommended training that will improve outcomes for the team and / or target group
• Ensure team members are outcome focused and competent in the use of sales force data recording
• Any other relevent duties as requested by SDCP

INTERAGENCY WORK

• To represent the project on the TDATF Education & Prevention Sub-group, to ensure the voice of the most vulnerable young people are represented
• To advise TDATF of any new or emerging trends concerning young people and drug & alcohol use.
• To participate in the Senior Management Team of SDCP, as required

SPECIFIC TARGETS

• To implement recommedations of pilot project evaluation (2023)
• To support and engage with research, commissioned by SDCP 2025 – 2026
• To promote alternative positve lifestyle choices and targeted early interventions to delay the onset on drug and alcohol use and / or the involvement in the local drugs industry
• Engage and establish trusting relationships with young people where they gather, with the aim of reducing risk
• Facilitate conversations as to Connect 4 how best can explore impacts of & alternatives to drug use / dealing, with young people
• To assist with recruitment, filling any vacancies within Connect 4 team.
• Establish mechanisms for team engagemnt with family and peers of target group
• Ensure seamless signposting to services that can provide additional supports
• Increase positive outcomes for young people ages 10 – 24 years in Tallaght

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To act consistently professional at all times
• To engage in regular supervision with line manager and / or external supervisor if needed
• To be flexible in working working hours
• To establish and maintain professional networks
• To ensure the work is carried out in line with the SDCP ethos.

REQUIREMENTS

• A qualification on the National Framework in Youth Work or Youth & Community Work at Level 7 or above
• In addition: Drugs Theory & Intervention Skills, Addiction Studies, Diploma in Community Drug & Alcohol Work or similar
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with the target group and outreach work would be a distinct advantage.
• Lived experience welcomed

SALARY

The salary for this position is based on each individual qualification and experience; 35 hour working week (full time).

Benefits of this position

• Some flexible working available
• Opportunity to join pension scheme after 6 months
• Access to HSF low-cost health insurance.
• 35 Hour per week (full time)
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• Training opportunities as required
• Opportunity to work with a progressive non-profit organisation, helping to improve the lives of young people in West Tallaght

Application Process:

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 the of your up-to-date detailed CV (no more than 2 pages) and cover letter accompanied

with completed confidential form marked: Connect 4 Team Leader Ref: 192/2025 to:
Administration & Operations Department
South Dublin County Partnership
Unit D1
Nangor Road Business Park
Nangor Road
Dublin 12

OR alternatively email your CV, Cover letter and an application form to jobs@sdcpartnership.ie

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on June 6th, 2025
Note no late applications will be accepted.

The post is subject to Garda vetting.

South Dublin County Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer