Ireland’s leading children’s charity is recruiting:

Project Worker - Lorien, Tallaght

Location: Lorien Project Tallaght Dublin 24
Contract: Full-time (37 hours) and Specific Purpose Contract (expected duration 10 months) Monday to Friday 9-5pm
Salary: €32,896 - €50,848 Depending on Experience.

Why work at Barnardos?

At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience.

• Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
• Generous annual leave entitlements
• Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work - life balance policy
• Tax saver travel and bike to work schemes in operation
• Employee Pension scheme with employer contribution
• Training and Development
• Health and Wellbeing initiatives including Employee Assistance programme

Name of the Project: Lorien Project
Address/Location: 30 MacUlliam Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

The Lorien Project:

The Lorien project was set up in 1997 in response to unmet needs of children living in the Tallaght area.  The project is funded by Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) and HSE Addiction Services.

This project provides intensive, targeted, evidence-based and trauma-informed child and family support programmes for children aged 0-18 years and their parents or carers.

The core services offered include for example: safety planning, individual work with parents, individual work with children, parent-child work, practical family support, interagency work, crisis intervention and targeted groups.

Referrals:

Referrals for the project come from self-referrals from parents themselves, TUSLA (both Social Work teams and Partnership, Prevention and Family Support teams), adult addiction services (both community and statutory), schools, Public Health Nurses and hospitals. All families referred to the service are either level 3 or level 4 on the Hardiker scale.

Key interventions offered:

The Lorien Project offers a number of evidenced based programs. These include but are not limited to:

• Assessment of the needs of the child and family
• Partnership with Parents (in home parenting support program)
• Practical Support
• Individual work with parents
• Crisis Management
• Non Violent Resistance (NVR) Program
• Parents’ Groups
• Individual work with children (This is Me)
• Friendship Group
• Strengthening Families (delivered in partnership with other agencies) as required
• Seasons for Growth
• Just Right State Program

Job purpose

The Lorien project supports children and families that are impacted by adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma. Some parents use drugs and or alcohol to cope with these difficulties and need additional support in order to safely meet the needs of their children.

The suitable candidate will assess the needs of the children and families and develop a trauma informed family support package around the identified needs. Case work is closely monitored and supported by the project leader.

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to the delivery of quality services to children, young people, families and carers.
• Be trauma informed in your approach to your work
• 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.
• To be committed to adhering to best practice in the work and be innovative and open to change.
• Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post.
• Ability to form objective relationships with children, young people, families/carers, colleagues and other agencies.

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ post qualification experience of working with vulnerable children and families in a similar role.
• The suitable candidate must have an understanding of how trauma can impact parenting, children and overall family functioning.
• Knowledge and understanding of addiction and recovery through a trauma informed lens is desirable but not essential
• Experience of working in partnership with families and carers.
• Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes with children and/or families.
• Knowledge of Partnership with Parents, Friendship Group, Seasons for Growth and Strengthening Families and other evidence based programs is desirable

Qualifications

A recognised third level practice qualification[1] (minimum Level 7 on the QQI) in one of the following:

• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Social Care           
• Education                         
• Social Work
• Youth Work

Or related discipline (Nursing, Psychology, Early Years Education).

Note: this list can be varied depending on the specific requests of the post.

Full driving licence and access to the use of a suitably insured car is 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: 07th December 2023

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

[1] Course content should include relevant student placements