Addiction Counsellor - Homeless Service - Sligo

Cpl; Sligo; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent contract

Work-life balance

Generous leave

Pension scheme

Paid sick leave

Maternity leave

Bike-to-work

Professional development

Supportive environment

Career progression

Job summary

Cpl Healthcare is partnering with a leading nonprofit in the Northwest to recruit an Addiction Counsellor for Sligo. You will deliver compassionate, recovery-focused counselling within a multidisciplinary team and engage with clients where they are in their journey.

Responsibilities include building therapeutic relationships, developing care plans, advocating for services, and supporting housing and community pathways. A driver’s licence is desirable.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' full-time counselling experience with addiction focus.
• Experience using harm reduction and recovery-focused interventions.
• Strong understanding of substance misuse, homelessness and dual diagnosis.
• Ability to develop and review care plans.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic addiction counselling and recovery-focused support to service users.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships with clients facing homelessness, trauma and addiction.
• Deliver interventions using harm reduction and person-centred approaches.
• Develop and implement individualised care and recovery plans.
• Advocate for service users and access to services and community resources.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues for holistic support.
• Liaise with external agencies, housing providers and healthcare professionals.
• Support pathways towards housing stability and long-term recovery.

Skills

Counselling experience (2+ years)

Harm reduction approach

Excellent communication

Advocacy skills

Education

NFQ Level 7 Counselling/Psychotherapy

IACP/IAAAC/ICP accreditation

Job description

External Job Description

Addiction Counsellor

Homeless Services | Sligo Town and County

Cpl Healthcare is proud to partner with a leading non-profit organisation in the Northwest that provides vital support to people who have experienced long-term homelessness, chronic trauma, mental health challenges and addiction.

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Addiction Counsellor to join a dynamic, recovery-focused team delivering high-quality, wraparound support services to individuals with complex needs.

About the Role

As an Addiction Counsellor, you will play a key role in empowering service users to move towards recovery, stability and improved wellbeing. Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will provide person-centred addiction counselling and support using a harm reduction and recovery-oriented approach that meets individuals where they are in their journey.

You will have the opportunity to build meaningful therapeutic relationships, advocate on behalf of clients and support them both within their homes and throughout the wider community. This role offers the chance to work with some of the most vulnerable individuals in society while helping them achieve positive, lasting change.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic addiction counselling and recovery-focused support to service users.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships with clients who have experienced homelessness, trauma and addiction.
• Deliver interventions using harm reduction principles and person-centred approaches.
• Develop and implement individualised care and recovery plans.
• Advocate for service users and support access to appropriate services and community resources.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure coordinated, holistic support.
• Liaise effectively with external agencies, housing providers, rehabilitation services and healthcare professionals.
• Support service users to engage with pathways towards housing stability, community integration and long-term recovery.

About You

To be eligible for the role, you will have:

• A professional qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy at a minimum of Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

And

• Accreditation with one of the following professional bodies:
  • Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP)
  • Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors (IAAAC)
  • A recognised body within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP)

Essential Experience & Skills

• A minimum of 2 years' full-time experience in a counselling setting where addiction formed a significant part of the work.
• Experience using harm reduction approaches and recovery-focused interventions.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Substance misuse and addiction
  • Homelessness and social exclusion
  • Dual diagnosis and complex mental health presentations
  • Community-based rehabilitation and recovery pathways
  • Housing and training support services
• Experience developing and reviewing care plans.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven ability to develop positive working relationships with clients, colleagues and external agencies.
• A full clean driver's licence and access to a vehicle.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Permanent contract with a 35-hour working week.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Pension scheme.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid maternity leave.
• Bike-to-work scheme.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A supportive, values-driven working environment.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals facing some of society's most complex challenges.