Job Title: Relief Project Workers – Sophia Housing, Tullamore

About Sophia

Sophia is a national organisation that has been supporting people as they emerge from homelessness since 1997.

Sophia is a niche service provider for two reasons; Firstly, it sees the provision of home of one’s own as the primary response to homelessness and the intervention that Sophia is exclusively focused on. Secondly as an Approved Housing Body, its core mission is to provide homes for individuals, couples and families who not only need a home but also present with other support needs.

Our Regional Supported Temporary Accommodation Service (RSTA) offers accommodation in a warm and caring environment, providing residents with the opportunity and support to make the changes in their lives that they want to make. We strive to link residents back into their community by supporting them in every step to rebuild their lives.

Location: Sophia Regional Supported Temporary Accommodation Service, Cill Bhride, Ardan, Tullamore, Co Offaly

Reporting to: Project Manager

Contract: Relief

Hours: As and when required

Benefits

Sophia offers the following additional benefits to employees:

• Training support
• Employee Assistance Programme

Job Purpose

You will work with individuals coming from homelessness, helping staff in managing their caseload in busy projects by assisting in the key working of individuals, carry out assessments and care plans and regularly liaising with other agencies/authorities on behalf of the service users as part of covering staff on annual leave or sick leave. The role includes evenings, weekends and sleepover shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• To have regard for the objectives and ethos of Sophia Housing Association.
• To work as a member of the Support Team under the supervision of the Project Manager.
• To attend team meetings and to participate in training as required.
• To work in a holistic way with residents as appropriate to their housing management and personal needs.
• To provide practical home support to residents when required.
• To provide resettlement preparation as required.
• To plan for and assist residents as appropriate with their move on from Cill Bhride.
• To liaise and work effectively with relevant personnel in Sophia Housing, and other relevant agencies; e.g. Local Authority, Health Board etc.
• To set up and maintain appropriate records of the work with residents and the work of the service.
• To ensure Tenancy/Licence Agreement are understood by Residents and to attend Tenancy/Placement Meetings when required.
• To co-operate as appropriate with research and evaluation of the service.
• To implement Sophia policies and procedures within the service.
• To participate in responding to emergencies within the Projects as required.
• To share administrative duties within the team
• To promote resident involvement in the development of the accommodation service.
• To check on maintenance within the service.
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager.
• To undertake other work that may be assigned to you from time to time.

Person Specification

• A degree or working towards a degree in Social Care/Social Science/Applied Social Studies or related discipline i.e. addiction, social work, psychology
• If working towards, must be at least in second year of the degree course
• Some experience working with this client group would be desirable
• An understanding of the issues affecting people who are homeless
• Knowledge around child protection issues, mental health issues and addiction
• The ability to work on own initiative
• Proficient IT Skills and knowledge with a database
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills both verbal and written are essential.
• To have excellent report writing and record keeping skills

Application Process:

Please forward a Cover Letter and CV to Recruitment@sophia.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 23rd May 2025