PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKER 
FIXED PURPOSE CONTRACT

The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is a statutory body established on 1 November 2010 and the legislation underpinning the Authority is the Adoption Act 2010.

Our mission is “To ensure the provision of the highest possible standards of adoption-related services, with the best interest of the child and young person as the first paramount objective, and act as the memory institution for our service users".

The AAI is seeking to recruit a Professionally Qualified Social Worker (fixed purpose contract), based in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Blended working is available with this position, subject to the nature of the duties.

There are three main pillars of social work delivery in the Authority.

The first category of work relates to the provision of Tracing Services and Mediation in relation to the Contact Preference Register. The AAI has responsibility for providing information and/or tracing services for a number of adoption agencies that have ceased operating and for past arrangements e.g. private placements.

The second relates to the provision of Brief Intervention and Support Services to those impacted by adoption whose records we hold.

The third category of work relates to current adoption processes. It is the responsibility of the social work team alongside other AAI colleagues to review every stage of the adoption process for domestic and inter-country adoptions. This work is time-sensitive given that the Authority does not want to contribute to any undue delays in the adoption process.

Reporting to the Social Work Team Leader (SWTL), this social worker will be directly responsible for a client caseload as directed by the SWTL and pertaining to the AAI’s tracing functions.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities of the Professionally Qualified Social Worker (fixed purpose contract) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Deliver support and tracing interventions in line with legislation, evidence-based social work practice and best practice in tracing from colleagues in other states
• Provide support and mediation to persons matched through the Contact Preference Register
• Review applications for Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability in both Domestic and Intercountry Adoption applications and make recommendations
• Provide mediation service for parties matched from Contact Preference Register
• Implementation of the AAI’s Social Work Practice Framework
• Ensure the delivery of social work services in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols
• Provide information and advice through Day Duty telephone service and SW@aai.gov.ie
• Contribute to the implementation of the Authority’s Corporate and Business Plans
• Maintain and collate data for the provision of reports to senior management and the Board of the Authority
• Maintain procedural manuals and ensure their compliance with Authority policies
• Keep up to date on current legislation and perceived impact on practice
• Develop competency in all the Authority’s ICT systems and contribute to the development of ICT
• Contribute to research projects and developments
• Adhere to Children First guidelines within the AAI
• Ensure that analysis, report-writing and presentation skills are to court standard
• Avail of continuous professional development through provision of peer and student supervision, attendance at relevant training and availing of reflective supervision
• Comply with the Performance Management System in the Authority
• Undertake such duties as may be assigned by the Principal Social Worker and/or Social Work Team Leader

How to Apply

1. Please complete all questions contained in the application form at the following link: https://api.occupop.com/shared/job/professionally-qualified-social-worker-2a2d2/ AND upload ALL the documents set out below:
   • Certificate of Registration with CORU AND a copy of your CV (these must both be combined and submitted as one single PDF document)
   • A fully completed Application Form on Occupop
2. Applications submitted after the closing time / date will not be considered/accepted.

Closing Date: 12 Noon Monday, July 21st 2025

For more information go to Vacancies section on https://aai.gov.ie/en/