The Board of Louth Local Development invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the following post.

Traveller Family Link Worker - Louth ABC (Area Based Childhood) Programme

Our Vision 
A place which empowers individuals, families, and communities to participate in a county which is inclusive, diverse and sustainable

Our Mission
We empower and facilitate development and social change, through the delivery of a set of integrated supports which address the causes and consequences of social and economic disadvantage, and poverty

Our Values
Our values represent the important principles and beliefs which underpin our work with the individuals, families, and communities that we serve. We foster a culture where these values are embedded across all our programmes and staff teams within Louth Local Development

Louth Local Development as Lead Agency is seeking to recruit a Family Link Worker position for Louth ABC Programme

Title: Traveller Family Link Worker
Status: Part time
Reporting to: Dundalk Home Visiting Coordinator, The Louth ABC Programme
Salary: €14.80 per hour 
Note: Part-time position 15 - 20Hours per Week

The Role: 

The primary function of the role is to act as a liaison worker between the Traveller community in County Louth and professional services when needed; It is also to act as a conduit to members of the Traveller community but also to articulate the needs of Traveller families to local services, creating more clarity around referral pathways, and champion culturally sensitive parent support programmes. The role will be based in Dundalk, Co. Louth.

The Person: 

This Person understands and appreciates the value of prevention and early intervention from the perspective of child development. You must be skilled in building relationships and engaging families that may require additional supports.

Responsibilities

Principle Duties

• To engage with and deliver supports to families with children aged 0-6within the travelling community in County Louth.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Local Traveller community
• Develop and support strong working relationships with and between the local Traveller parents, TUSLA, HSE and the various community organisations as appropriate.
• To liaise with services to signpost supports as required, including those provided by Louth ABC Programme.
• To help improve all aspects of the home learning environment for children up to the ages of 6, within the travelling community.
• To support access to early child education for children within the travelling community.
• To provide parental supports directly to parents from within the traveller community that are culturally sensitive and appropriate to the target group.
• Provide and maintain progress reports including outcomes for children and families
• Deliver and facilitate community-based activities, such as:
  • Baby Massage
  • Baby Groups
  • Toddler Yoga
  • Stay and Play Sessions
  • Parent & Toddler Groups
  • Parent Support Programmes
• Undertake other duties relating to the Community Families Programme as directed by The ABC Programme Manager/Home Visiting Coordinator

Qualifications/Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

• Minimum relevant QQI Level 5 qualification in either Early Years, Social Care, Youth & Community Work, Nursing, Psychology, Education or Health Promotion, or similar

Experience and Knowledge

• Have 2 years’ experience working in either of the Early Years, Social Care, Health, Youth, Education, Voluntary or Community sectors.
• Demonstrate in your application knowledge relating to Child Development, Early intervention, and community support.
• Experience working with and engagement within the Traveller community is desirable

Competencies

• Demonstrate a good understanding of interventions that promote positive outcomes for children and families
• Understand the importance of Early Childhood Education
• Understand and prioritise the needs and issues impacting on families
• Ability to build connections and engage with families and small children
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Professional Attributes

• Understand the importance of early intervention and early childhood education
• Recognise barriers that prevent families from the traveller community from engaging with support services and early childhood education
• Ability to engage with children and families from the traveller community who may have experienced trauma or difficulty engaging with services
• Ability to work on own and as part of a team
• Ability to work flexibly between the hours of 9am-5pm

Terms

• This post is offered on a weekly 15 - 20-hour basis.
• Location of the post will be based in Louth Local Development, Partnership Court, Dundalk - and the post holder will be required to visit homes within the areas identified by the Home Visiting Coordinator.
• Access to a car and full driving licence is required.
• Annual Leave – 8% of Hours Worked

Application Process

• CV and letter of interest can be submitted to sonya.hyland@lldc.ie
• Closing date for receipt of applications is 12pm on Thursday 31st July 2025
• No late applications will be accepted
• Interviews will be scheduled in person in our Dundalk office on the week of 11th August 2025
• You will be advised of the outcome of your application by email
• Please note this post is subject to Funding
• Louth Local Development CLG is an equal opportunities employer

This post is funded through The Tusla Prevention, Partnership and Family Support National Office