Bereavement Supports Project Worker

D10 Bereavement Support Services Project was developed and funded by Dublin City Council, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme and is managed by Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre. The objectives include offering both group and individual support for those experiencing bereavement. Furthermore, the initiative aims to establish a designated Rainbows Room, initiate a grief café, and train volunteers to serve as bereavement facilitators.

Over the past two years, the Sláintecare, Local Development Officer for the Cherry Orchard Ballyfermot area has engaged extensively with local service providers, including educational institutions, counselling services, youth organisations, and childcare facilities. Throughout this engagement process, bereavement support has consistently been identified as a critical service gap in the Dublin 10 area.

Our key Partners in this project are Rainbows Ireland and Turas Le Cheile.

Rainbows Ireland is a national voluntary organisation that has been operating for nearly 40 years delivering peer support to children and young people. Turas Le Cheile have been providing respectful listening and non-judgemental bereavement support since 2001. They provide confidential, one to one, support free of charge.

Role Responsibilities (included, but not limited to)

The Project Worker will play an essential role in advancing the D10 Bereavement Supports Service Project through the following constructive initiatives:

1. Recruit and Train: Actively seek out and support the training of Rainbows Facilitators from the Dublin 10/Ballyfermot community, emphasising front-line practitioners to enhance local expertise.
2. Implement Rainbows Groups: Establish Rainbows Groups designed for children and young people within the community, while empowering parents, service providers, schools, and community groups to engage fully with the service.
3. Collaborate with Turas le Cheile: Work closely with Turas le Cheile to effectively promote one-on-one services throughout the community, creating robust referral pathways and clear signposting for those in need.
4. Develop the Grief Café: Partner with the Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre to create a Grief Café, serving as a welcoming central hub for our project and community support.
5. Monitor and Evaluate: Implement effective monitoring and evaluation tools to assess project impact, which will help secure future funding and ensure the ongoing sustainability of community services.
6. Embed the Service: Foster deep connections within the community by building strong networks and partnerships, and strategically engaging with children, young people, parents, and community stakeholders.
7. Promote Community Engagement: Proactively promote the project throughout the community, identifying service engagement gaps and adapting our approach to ensure successful outcomes for all service users and the broader community.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to the delivery of quality services to children, young people, families and carers.
• Ability to participate in teamwork and work in collaboration with others and to work co-operatively with other agencies.
• Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate.
• Ability to work under pressure, make decisions in consultation with the line manager when appropriate.
• Ability to implement monitoring and evaluation processes with accurate reporting.
• Strong team player with self-motivation and leadership abilities.
• To be committed to adhering to best practice in their work and be innovative and open to change.
• Strong organisational skills will be essential in coordinating efforts and managing projects that make a real difference.
• Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post.

Experience

Essential Skills:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a therapeutic or community-based role.
• Experience of working in a therapeutic way with children and families affected by trauma and grief.
• Experience building relationships and support front-line practitioners in training and project delivery.
• Knowledge of family support services and effective referral skills.
• Understanding of the Children First policy with practical experience in implementation.
• Proficiency in IT tools: Zoom, Teams, client databases, MS Forms, Word, Excel, Outlook, and internet use.
• Flexibility to work remotely and on-site.

Terms & Conditions:

• Contract: 1-year fixed part time contract
• Probation: 6 months probations with a review at 3 months
• Hours: 17-21 hours per week
• Salary: A competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata

Garda Vetting, and satisfactory references, will be sought prior to the successful candidate taking up the post.

Application process:

A cover letter and CV addressing the required competencies should be emailed to: The Manager | Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre
E: audrey@ballyfermotfrc.ie

Closing date for applications is 4 pm on Tuesday 29th July Interviews will be held early August 2025. Correspondence will be shared via email.