Position Title: School Completion Programme (SCP) Coordinator

Location: North Tipperary
Contract Type: 1 Year Fixed-term 
Salary: €47,131 - €77,054
Application Deadline: 19/09/2025

About Us

North Tipperary SCP is committed to supporting students in overcoming barriers to education and achieving their full potential. North Tipperary School Completion Programme (SCP) is a targeted initiative that aims to improve retention rates, promote school engagement, and foster a supportive learning environment for young people in our community. We are now seeking a dedicated and experienced SCP Coordinator to lead and manage this essential programme.

Role Summary

As the School Completion Programme Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating and implementing strategic interventions to support students at risk of early school leaving. This position requires a dynamic leader with a passion for education and a strong commitment to helping students overcome social, emotional, and academic challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to Emerging Needs: Identifying and responding to the education welfare needs of the target group and enabling them to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to fully participate in their own formal education and in the school environment.
• Planning and Evaluation of Interventions: Designing, organising, implementing, monitoring and evaluating education and welfare interventions with target group across the four pillars of school completion.
• Advocacy for Children and Young People: Advocating on behalf of targeted participants as appropriate.
• Engagement of Children and Young People: Operating a clear, criteria based and transparent targeting mechanism for participant inclusion in the SCP in conjunction with the Educational Welfare Service and Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, the School Care Team and Principals.
• Interagency Work: Liaising and networking with all key stakeholders and developing effective working relationships with youth and community organisations in the area providing services and supports to children and young people.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, Educational Welfare Officers, the School Care team, Principals and other professionals to identify the students to be engaged with the Project and to plan coordinated intervention for those children and young people across appropriate services to compliment SCP interventions.
• Strategic Development: Participate in the ongoing planning, target setting and strategic development of the local SCP and SCP nationally.
• Planning Your Work Schedule: Planning your own work schedule and setting work targets in consultation with the Local Management Committee and TESS.
• Reporting to Leadership: Provide plans reports and statistics (written and oral) to LMC and TESS and other funders.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with young people, their families, schools, TESS and external stakeholders as appropriate
• Budget and Resource Management: Manage the programme budget in line with approved procedures, ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Staff Supervision: Manage and supervise staff including setting work targets in consultation with the Local Management Committee and in line with approved work plans.
• Professional Development: Participate in relevant training and development opportunities.
• Policy Compliance: Keep up to date with, adhere to and contribute to (where appropriate) the development of policies, procedures, guidelines, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and standards in the education and welfare sector.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Relevant third-level qualification in Education, Social Care, Youth Work, Psychology, or a related field (QQI Level 8 minimum).
• Minimum of three years of experience in programme coordination in education, youth work, or social care settings.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with children and young people in a school or community-based environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated experience in case management, budget management, and working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to motivate and manage a staff team.
• Strong working knowledge and understanding of key child safeguarding legislation and principles.

Desirable:

• Experience working within the Irish education system, the DEIS programme or in school-based programmes.
• Knowledge of early intervention strategies, child protection legislation, and safeguarding practices.
• Familiarity with TESS and Tusla guidelines as well as national education policies related to school attendance, participation and retention.
• Access to a car and a full driving licence.

Key Competencies:

• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with LMC members, principals, school staff and local child and young person services.
• Strong leadership and project management abilities.
• Problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying student needs and responding to meet needs.
• Empathy and sensitivity to the challenges faced by children and young people at risk
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
• Positive and flexible approach to teamwork.
• High level of accountability and ethical conduct.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to make a real difference in children and young people’s lives and educational journeys.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive, collaborative work environment.

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and CV outlining your suitability for this role to careers@tipperaryetb.ie by 12 noon on Friday 19th September, 2025.

North Tipperary SCP is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, race, neurodiversity, disability, or background, and we are committed to creating a supportive work environment.

Advertising for positions, paid and voluntary, will be done as widely as possible and in a fair, open and transparent manner.