Job Title: Community Link Worker (Education)

Nature of Position: 18 Month Fixed Term Position 35 hours per week

Place of Work: Cork City.

Salary Scale: City of Dublin Youth Services Youth Worker Salary Scale

Employer: Successful candidates will be employed through the Le Chéile School Completion Programme (SCP), Knocknaheeny, Cork.

Background to the post:

The Community Link Worker positions have been established as a result of a key action under the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES). The evaluation of the NTRIS Supporting Traveller and Roma (STAR) pilot found that the additional resources provided to each of the four pilot areas, including the community education worker played a valuable role in building the link between the families, communities and the schools. The establishment of the community link worker roles are also based on the recommendations of the OECD Education for Inclusive Societies project Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland.

The community link worker will work with both DEIS and non-DEIS schools, children, families and the wider community to enhance the learning experience and outcomes for children and young people from Traveller or Roma communities or those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The position is a fixed duration of 18 months to pilot the initiative.

The community link worker posts are funded by the Department of Education through Tusla Education support Services (TESS) under the School Completion Programme (SCP).

Roles and Responsibilities: 

The successful candidate will work as part of a TESS integrated approach to support attendance, participation, retention and progression. The community link worker will be responsible for building relationships with Traveller, Roma and school communities and will work with a number of stakeholders to identify need and supports. This will include supporting children and young people and their families at key transition points, promoting a culture of inclusion in schools and facilitating positive communication and engagement between schools, families and communities to support the learning environment for Traveller and Roma children and young people and those at risk of educational disadvantage to improve their educational outcomes.

The successful candidate will report directly to the SCP Coordinator in the local SCP project and will also have reporting responsibilities to the TESS TRES team.

The community link workers will engage with existing organisations and services such as Traveller and Roma organisations, youth services and projects and community organisations, Home School Community Liaison (HSCL), School Completion Programme (SCP), Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) as relevant to implement local responses to the needs of Traveller and Roma children, young people and families. This will include supporting activities that are relevant to the implementation of the Traveller and Roma Education Strategy in line with national targets and timelines.

The responsibilities of the Community Link Worker will include but are not limited to the following:

• Building trusting relationships with Traveller and/or Roma children, young people, families, organisations and communities.
• Working in partnership with key stakeholders including the whole school community, local Traveller and /or Roma organisations and community workers, including those under education or related disciplines, to identify local needs and provide linkages to available supports and initiatives.
• Supporting children, young people and their families at key transition points e.g. moving from early years to primary, from primary to post-primary and between years moving from Junior cycle to Senior cycle with a specific focus on increasing retention to Leaving Certificate and transition to further education, training and employment opportunities.
• Working with the integrated services operating under TESS which includes SCP, HSCLs, EWOs, at a local level to achieve progress on local education concerns and the priority education actions contained in the TRES which includes improved participation and retention in school.
• Promoting and supporting positive participation, communication and engagement between home, school and the community to enhance attendance, participation and engagement, retention, progression and educational outcomes for children and young people.
• Monitoring school attendance and other relevant indicators and engaging with the appropriate supports to plan for improved attendance.
• Increasing awareness amongst the communities of the rights and obligations of parents/guardians and schools.
• Supporting schools and communities to foster an inclusive and ambitious culture with an anti-racism and intercultural approach in and out of school through initiatives that have been successful in the STAR Pilot project.
• Providing feedback and input to team meetings and evaluations, preparing progress reports for the SCP Coordinator and TESS TRES team which feed into the overall reporting on TRES progress and objectives including improving access, participation and outcomes.
• Following policies and procedures prescribed by the employing SCP in relation to child safeguarding and other matters.
• Participating in continuous professional development and training as required for the role

Professional Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant qualification in Youth Work, Community Work, Education, Social Care, Psychology or a related field (QQI Level 7 minimum) or a minimum of three years direct work experience with Travellers and/or Roma in an education or youth setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal and listening), with the ability to engage young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good knowledge of the Irish education system and understanding of working within a school environment with a proven interest in youth work or community development.
• Experience of working with Travellers and/or Roma with a good knowledge of the issues and concerns faced by these communities.
• Second relevant language beneficial e.g. Romani, Czech.
• Ability to work at an individual, team and community level including across a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Good computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Note:

• Must be willing to work outside normal office hours as necessary.
• Travel will be a feature of this role.
• Garda vetting will apply.
• Applications from members of the Traveller and Roma communities are especially welcome.

To Apply:

Please send your Curriculum Vitae including referees and a cover letter outlining your suitability for this post, for the attention of Le Chéile SCP to, office@stmarysonthehill.ie no later than 5pm on Friday 23rd May 2025.

Only those selected for interview will be contacted.