Job Title: Domestic Violence Support Worker (Children & Young People)

Location: Monaghan Town

Contract type: Permanent; Full time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Pension: Pension scheme available

Salary: HSE Social Care Salary Scale

Reporting to: Domestic Violence Service Manager, Safe Ireland Cavan/Monaghan

1. Environment of the Job

Safe Ireland is the national development and co-ordination body working to eradicate Domestic Violence (DV). We have five distinct functions: investigating the causes and effects of violence and coercion based on sex, gender and sexuality; delivering frontline refuge, support and outreach services; supporting the development, delivery and coordination of frontline Domestic Violence member services; developing best practice guidelines for skilled community-led domestic violence response; and influencing civil society and national strategic policy. Safe Ireland Cavan/Monaghan is a frontline service of Safe Ireland.

2. Purpose of the Job

Safe Ireland’s Service in Cavan-Monaghan works across both counties to provide support to women, children and young people who access the service and have experienced domestic violence and coercive control. Working as part of a team, you will be responsible for developing and providing needs led targeted programmes that support children and young people effected by domestic abuse in overcoming challenges, developing key life skills, and reaching their full potential. Currently the focus is on group work, delivering specialised programmes, advocacy, accompaniment, and referrals to other support services. One-to-one support will be introduced as the role develops. The ideal candidate will bring enthusiasm, creativity, and a strong commitment to youth work principles, ensuring Children and Young People are actively engaged and supported in their personal, social, and educational development.

3. Key functions and tasks

• The Children & Young Peoples Support Worker will engage and build professional, supportive relationships with Children and Young People whilst being flexible and attentive to their needs.
• To work in line with Safe Ireland’s Safe Spaces Series as well as Safe Ireland’s policies and procedures including Child Protection and GDPR to ensure the delivery of quality, effective and safe services to Children and Young People.
• Promote Children and Young People’s rights to make individual choices, ensuring their involvement in decision making and their awareness of their rights and responsibilities whilst using our services.
• Conduct needs and risk assessments and develop individual support plans for Children and Young People experiencing unhealthy relationships, domestic abuse/coercive control.
• Provide one-to-one and small group support for Children and Young People to improve their social and developmental outcomes.
• Facilitate direct interventions that are strengths-based and will enable children and young people aged 10-18 to develop their capacity, resilience, and strength.
• Liaise with other appropriate agencies to provide a comprehensive range of supports to Children and Young People that reflects their individual needs.
• Facilitate awareness raising and information sessions in schools and local communities regarding healthy relationships, domestic abuse, and coercive control.
• Support Children and Young People to confidently access specialist therapeutic interventions, community-based youth projects, and youth clubs.
• Refer and coordinate the provision of multi-agency support work where appropriate, and advocate to ensure barriers to accessing support and protection are minimised.
• Contribute to TUSLA led case conferences as required.
• Arrange, facilitate, and contribute to Meitheal’s as required.
• Report writing and maintenance of files as required using CRM system.
• To keep informed of developments in the Domestic Violence sector including legislative and regulatory changes.

The above duties are a guide to the general range of duties and are neither definitive nor restrictive and will be subject to periodic review.

4. Person Specification

The successful candidate will be flexible, enthusiastic, and a committed team member. The candidate will be highly motivated, creative, with excellent communication skills and a commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Safe Ireland. The candidate will prioritise his/her wellbeing in the work and engage with Supervision on a regular and agreed basis. The ideal candidate will have the following experience, personal characteristics, and educational background.

Education/Qualifications

• BA in Social Care / Youth Work/ Youth & Community Work or relevant field at NFQ Level 7 or higher is required for this position.
• A qualification or training in working with domestic violence would be a distinct advantage.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence and coercive control.
• Awareness of gender analysis as a systematic analytical process used to identify and understand the relevance of gender roles and power dynamics in society.
• Awareness of interculturally competent approaches to meeting the needs of those who have experienced domestic violence and coercive control.
• Knowledge of GDPR requirements for frontline services.
• Good working knowledge of child protection legislation and reporting requirements.

Experience

• Significant and demonstrable experience in an organisation (paid or voluntary) providing services to young people and children who have experienced domestic violence and coercive control.
• Extensive experience of sensitively assessing and responding to the needs and risks of children and young people experiencing domestic violence and coercive control.
• Experience of working in a frontline service delivery setting.
• Experience of supporting children and Young People in an information giving and one-to-one support settings.
• Experience of office administration systems including CRM system.

Skills

• The ability to build and develop supportive relationships with Children and young People, while maintaining professional boundaries and working within Children First Legislation.
• The ability to build effective relationships, both internally and externally, showing sensitivity for others’ viewpoints and valuing diversity.
• The ability to work as a team member and within a line management structure, understanding the importance of seeking guidance and support when required.
• A high degree of self-motivation and ability to work in a creative and flexible way.
• Presentation and group facilitation skills.
• Working knowledge and experience of IT and social media.
• An ability to display empathy, patience.
• A positive outlook with resilience and persistence in the face of barriers and setbacks.
• Have excellent writing and reporting skills.

Additional Benefits:

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
• Safe Ireland operates a contributory pension scheme on completion of probation period (6 months)
• Positive and collaborative work environment.

Other

• Full clean driver’s license with regular access to a car for work

Applications via CV and Cover Letter.

Submit to: info@safeireland.ie

Please note closing date is 5pm on Monday 28th of July 2025.

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

Safe Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.