Job Title: Family Support Project Worker

Job Reference: FRGJOB_1313
Type of contract: Maternity Cover (6 months)
No of hours: 35 hours per week minimum
Responsible to: Area Manager
Location: County Galway
Annual leave: 29 days per year

About Foróige

Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation engaged in out-of-school youth development and education. The organisation aims to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development and the development of society. Foróige employs 500 staff and involves thousands of volunteers in the creation and delivery of high quality services to young people through the operation of over 500 Foróige Clubs and over 200 General Youth Services and Special Projects. These community-based and community-supported initiatives are run throughout the country, in rural and urban environments, and generally in partnership with various voluntary and statutory agencies.

The organisation is a registered charity and is supported by a combination of statutory, philanthropic and corporate funding.

Foróige is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices.

Role information

The aim of the Family Support Service Project is to provide Family Support Services for children, young people and families in their own community. The Project Worker will provide supports to young people who are experiencing adversity in response to individual and family need. The service has a special focus on referred young people from TUSLA. The Project Worker will carry a caseload of 8-10 families and provide additional youth work programmes for young people referred by TUSLA.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be employed by Foróige and will be given a contract of employment for a fixed term. It must be understood however, that if the position becomes redundant at any time during the period of the contract or if the funding for the post is discontinued or a post holder fails to perform satisfactorily, employment may be terminated.

The duties of the Project worker in carrying out any functions, which may be involved in or arise out of the appointment, shall be as notified by the Board of Foróige and/or its Chief Executive and/or the nominee of the Chief Executive from time to time. These duties will include but are not limited to:

• Support young people and families in their own home and community.
• Carry out assessment of individual family/young person needs in partnership with family and other key personnel.
• Formulate and implement a plan of work designed to meet young people and families’ needs.
• To build appropriate professional relationships with families and young people and encourage families and young people to identify support needs at an early stage.
• Work as part of a team in organising and running programmes for those attending the project.
• Work with young people on a one to one and group level, addressing issues such as behavioural issues, anger management & personal hygiene.
• Adhere to Foróige and Health Service Executive procedures concerning the neglect or abuse of children. Meet with referrers to discuss the needs of individual families/children/young people.
• Attend training to update knowledge and skills in the area of Family Services including volunteer recruitment training and support.
• Maintain records and prepare reports using current administrative and I.T. systems.
• Attend team and other meetings including case conference and family meetings as required.
• Carry out review/evaluation of the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of service.
• Contribute to the on-going development of the service.
• Participate in out-of-hours work, weekend work, and residential trips as required.
• Work in conjunction with other agencies, schools and community groups in servicing the needs of families, children and young people in the area.
• Identify gaps in service provision in the area and work in collaboration with the community in addressing these gaps.
• Participate in regular case work supervision with project leader and supervision with line manager.

Any such other relevant requirements as the Board of Foróige and/or its Chief Executive Officer or nominee shall deem necessary for the effective implementation of Foróige’s policy and programmes.

Professional Qualifications and Experience (E=Essential; D=Desirable)

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

Person Specification (All Essential requirements)

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with young people
• 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
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours will be required
• Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
• To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
• Flexibility in relation to hours of work to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours will be required.

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 Starting point this role will be between Point 1 and Point 5 based on experience
• 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.
• Base: The employment base for this post will be Galway County. Exact location to be confirmed upon appointment.
• 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: The deadline for returning completed application forms is 6th September 2025, 5:00pm.

Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Foróige is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices