Ireland’s leading children’s charity is recruiting:

Project Worker, Post Adoption Services - Dublin

Location: Christchurch Square, Dublin 8 or 23/24 Buckingham Street, Dublin 1
Contract: Part-Time (30 Hours), 6-12 Month Specific Purpose contract (Maternity Cover)
Salary: €28,863 - €44,614 (Pro-rated for 30 hours per week)

Why work at Barnardos?

Are you a purpose driven individual who is passionate about making a difference and helping some of society’s most vulnerable children? At Barnardos, we pride ourselves on delivering impactful services that make a difference to the lives of children and families across Ireland.

We believe that childhood lasts a lifetime. As trauma informed specialists our core purpose is to provide the necessary support for children to overcome childhood adversity, embedding a trauma informed ethos and practice into every service we provide.

What we can offer you?

As a Project Worker, we appreciate the value of your time when providing essential services, that’s why we have the necessary support structures and network in place that will allow you to make a real impact on the lives of children across Ireland. We also offer the following:

• Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
• Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
• Employee pension scheme with employer contribution / Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Access to regular trauma informed support, supervision, training and many other professional development opportunities
• Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
• Access to the Employee Assistance / Wellbeing programme for employees and their immediate family members

What’s the role and service?

Barnardos Post Adoption Children’s’ service works in close partnership with Barnardos Post Adoption Adult service which has a remit to provide therapeutic services to adopted and boarded out adults and their birth family members. The service has a national remit with a therapeutic mixed discipline team working across three locations. The team delivers individual and group therapeutic services to adopted children, teenagers and their parents across three centres.

We are looking for an experienced Project Worker to join our team in our Dublin in either Christchurch square or Buckingham street to provide an individual and group therapeutic service that respond to the needs of intercountry and domestically adopted children and families referred or self-referred to the service.

What will my day to day look like?

• Assess the needs of the children and the families engaging with the project.
• Plan, implement and review programmes for adopted children and families based on an assessment of their individual and group needs.
• To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children. To record concerns promptly and accurately. To consult with the Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with Barnardos Child Protection policy.
• Work with children/young people/carers/families in a variety of ways, including group work, individual work and family work, centre based and outreach work.
• Liaise effectively with families and other statutory, community and voluntary bodies and to attend and contribute to reviews and case conferences as required.
• Work in partnership with other Barnardos services to best meet the needs of adopted children and families by collaborating resources with planned interventions targeting groups/families of shared need.
• Keep regular records in relation to all aspects of work and prepare reports as required.
• Gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role.
• Identify and document to the line manager any unmet needs of children/young people/carers/families within the service and to participate in the advocacy work of the agency.

What experience do I need?

• A minimum of two years’ post-qualification experience in working with children and families.
• Experience in working with children affected by early loss/trauma.
• Experience in group work with children and adults.
• Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and families.
• Specific experience in working with adopted children, teenagers and their parents is desirable.

Do I need a qualification?

Yes, to be considered for this role you will hold a recognised third level practice qualification (minimum Level 7 on the QQI) in one of the following:

• Social work
• Psychology with applied practice
• Social care
• Counselling or psychotherapy (accredited and registered) or related discipline e.g. Art therapy, Drama therapy, Play therapy.

Additional training in trauma and attachment based approaches to working with families -especially Theraplay or DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) – is desirable.

Applicants must be registered or eligible for registration with CORU as a Social Care Worker. This includes those currently in the process of registration under CORU’s transitional arrangements (grandparenting route). Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria but have not yet completed registration are encouraged to apply. However, you will be required to provide proof of registration or evidence they have initiated the application process.

A Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured vehicle essential.

Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

For full job description and to apply please visit Current Job Vacancies – Barnardos

Closing date: 5pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025

Interview date: TBC

Shortlisting will apply (please note, CVs are not accepted on their own, candidates must complete and submit our application form through Barnardos website).