Job Title: Family Support Worker - NOW Youth Diversion Project

Job Reference: FRGJOB_1284

Number of Posts: 1 - Ongoing subject to funding
Locations: Rathmines, Rathfarnham & Terenure, Dublin

Foróige

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation enables young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Foróige employs over 600 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high quality services to young people through the operation of over 400 Foróige Clubs, the Big Brother Big Sister Programme and over 140 General Youth Services and Special Projects - including over 40 Youth Diversion Projects.

Project & role information

The NOW YDP is a Youth Diversion Project that currently supports and engages young people in the Rathfarnham, Terenure & Rathmines areas aligned to the Garda Sub Districts. The project is currently recruiting an additional Family Support Worker. 

Youth Diversion Projects are Community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have been involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate learning and personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. The projects also work with young people who are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour and their families. By doing so, the projects contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda/community relations.

The Family Support Worker will work as part of the Youth Diversion Project staff team, working to respond to the needs of families, particularly parents and care givers of young people who are participants of the YDP or have been referred to the YDP with the overall aim of reducing offending behaviour.

This project is part of a network of Youth Diversion Projects; funded by the Department of Justice and by the European Social Fund and Dormant Accounts, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána under the National Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 and will be managed by Foróige.

Key Responsibilities

• Alongside the youth justice workers, identifying and supporting the parents and families of young people who have offended or are at risk of offending, with the aim of reducing the offending behaviour.
• Working closely with the youth justice workers and using the information identified in the young person’s needs assessment (YLS/CMI 2.0) to identify the priority issues and strengths of the family.
• To assess and respond to the needs of families, particularly parents and care givers of young people who are participants of the YDP or have been referred to the YDP in accordance with Foróige policy and procedures.
• Engaging, building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with parents, families & young people
• Using evidence based/informed approaches, provide group work, individual work, skills-based programmes, and recreational activities as appropriate for the parents and/or caregivers.
• Advocating for parents, care givers and families and attending meetings relevant to their needs, preparing reports as necessary.
• Building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, particularly An Garda Síochána and other services engaged with families and young people in the catchment area.
• Operating in accordance with the YDP Operational Requirements.
• Attending YDP referral assessment committee and advisory committee meetings as required and preparation of reports for same.
• Ensuring compliance with Foróige policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Attending committee and team meetings as required by Management, Project Committee and Funders.
• Administration, budget and resource management including compiling plans and reports as required by the funder and ensuring that deadlines are adhered to.
• Working collaboratively as part of the YDP team and the wider Foróige team.
• Any such other relevant duties as the board of Foróige and/or the Chief Executive Officer or the nominee of the Chief Executive shall deem necessary for the effective implementation and the policy and programmes of Foróige and the Youth Diversion Project.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

(E=Essential; D=Desirable)

• Education to Degree standard preferably in the area of Youth/ Justice/ Social / Family /Community Work (E) (candidates with exceptional, relevant work experience may also be considered in lieu of degree qualifications)
• Ability to relate to parents and young people and engage the target group (E)
• Relevant paid or voluntary experience of working with young people or parents (E)
• Experience in a YDP or similar youth or family work role. (D)
• Experience and understanding of YDP work and of working with young people and families facing adversity (D)
• Access to a car and full driving licence. (E)

Person Specification 

(All Essential requirements)

• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to be proactive, use own initiative and work effectively within a pressurised environment
• Positive and flexible approach to working as part of a team
• Excellent written communications skills, including report writing and the ability to draft summary information and correspondence.
• Ability to follow organisational guidelines and processes.
• Good computer skills, including Word & Excel, PowerPoint and Social Media skills

Requirements of all Foróige staff 

(All Essential Requirements)

• Commitment to the purpose of Foróige and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation
• To act consistently in a professional manner at all times
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours will be required

Youth Diversion Projects & the National Youth Justice Strategy

All interventions delivered through Foróige YDPs, are needs led, evidence based and outcomes focused with a view to reducing the likelihood of a young person offending or re-offending. As such, the interventions vary from project to project, based on the individual needs and circumstances of the young people, their families and their communities. Interventions can take place in both group and one to one settings, on site in a project premises, or reaching out to the community and other suitable spaces.

Now is an exciting time in the development of youth justice services and interventions in Ireland. The National Youth Justice Strategy 2021 to 2027 has created more opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young people, families and communities.

The vision of the Strategy is “Collaborating across all sectors of government and society in the development and delivery of opportunities for children and young people, to harness support in their families and communities in order to strengthen their capacities to live free from crime and harm”. The Strategy focuses on maximising the opportunities for promoting positive behaviour change in young people who are at risk of coming into contact with the youth justice system. The Strategy is grounded in the real life experiences of these young people in Ireland, having been developed following a comprehensive process of consultation with a broad range of stakeholders invested in the lives of at risk young people, their families and communities. It takes a rights based approach to working with young people at risk, and is underpinned by a “no wrong door” principle outlining a commitment to child centred wrap around services. The Strategy emphasises the development of evidence informed programmes, interventions and supports, across all areas of the youth justice system including court processes, detention and legislation, as well as early intervention and diversion measures.

The strategy prioritises implementation of measures to enhance existing Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) including the expansion of YDPs, ensuring full geographical coverage, so that every young person who requires a service, will have access to it. The strategy will also support the development of a range of new supports & interventions within YDPs, including initiatives for Early Intervention, Family Support and working with harder-to-reach children and young people

Benefits

• Salary: Foróige Youth Officer Salary scale: €37,436, €38,994, €40,552, €42,113, €43,671, €45,235, €46,798, €49,127, €51,457
• Annual Leave: 29 days annual leave plus Good Friday
• Pension: Contributory pension benefits.
• Training & Development: Structured onboarding together with a 9 day Foróige Induction Programme. Ongoing CPD.
• Study Leave: Up to 5 days paid Study Leave per year of course.
• Organisation Culture: Support & Supervision policy and practises that supports your professional development.
• EAP: 24/7 Employee Assistance
• Career Break: Up to 2 years Career Break after 3 years service.
• Unpaid Leave: Up to 6 months Unpaid Leave Break after 1 year service
• Flexible Work: Flexible work practices that support work life balance.
• Maternity and Paternity Benefit: Top up Maternity and Paternity Benefit pay.

Other Information

• Garda vetting: Candidates under consideration for employment in Foróige will be subject to Garda vetting.
• Hours of work: You will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. The position will require flexibility in relation to working hours. It is expected that you will work some late evenings/ nights per week and some weekend work.
• Travel: This post will involve domestic travel within Ireland and occasional meetings. Travel and expenses will be paid in accordance with appropriate Foróige rates.

Applications:

Please complete the Foróige Application form online here.

Closing date: 7th August at 12 pm