Child Support Worker, Childer's Road Family Initiative, Mid West

Focus Ireland; Limerick; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Ireland in Limerick is seeking a Child Support Worker to help families experiencing homelessness. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to promote children's wellbeing, development and voice through direct support, parenting programmes and child participation activities.

You will assess needs, plan and review support plans, manage a caseload, deliver programmes, and liaise with schools, social workers and community services, ensuring safeguarding and confidential record-keeping.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in social care (youth work, Early Childhood Care, Education, social studies, addiction, psychology, etc.).
• CORU registration as a Social Care Worker.
• Proven extensive experience working with children and families.
• Strong understanding of child protection and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Full clean driving licence and own car.
• Knowledge of homeless sector services (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Provide support to families experiencing homelessness as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Assess needs and promote child welfare and development.
• Manage caseload with timely interventions and review of plans.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate programmes for education, development and wellbeing.
• Maintain confidential case notes and reports.
• Engage with schools, social workers and community agencies to coordinate care.
• Attend care plan reviews and multi-agency meetings.

Skills

Child protection knowledge

Behaviour management

Supervision & reflective practice

Driving licence

Education

Third Level degree in social care/related field

CORU registered Social Care Worker

Job description

Location: Limerick

Contract: Full Time, Specific Purpose

The Child Support Worker plays a vital role in reducing the impact of homelessness on children and families living within the service. Through direct support, therapeutic interventions, parenting programmes, group activities, and child participation initiatives, the role promotes children's wellbeing, development, resilience, and voice.

What You Will Do

• Provide support to families experiencing homelessness, working as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve positive outcomes for children and parents.
• Engage with children, young people and their families to assess needs, promote child welfare and development, and enhance parenting skills and capacity.
• Complete comprehensive assessments of children's developmental needs and work collaboratively with parents to develop, implement and review appropriate support plans.
• Manage an allocated caseload, ensuring timely interventions, accurate assessments and effective support planning.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate programmes and activities that promote children's and young people's education, development, self-expression and wellbeing.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement appropriate safeguarding and support measures to ensure the safety and welfare of children and families.
• Facilitate and participate in regular care plan reviews, family meetings and support planning meetings with parents, key workers and relevant professionals.
• Attend and contribute to case conferences, family reviews, school meetingsand other meetings concerning the care and development of children within the service.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date and confidential case notes, records and reportsin line with organisational policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with schools, social workers, clinical services, An Garda Síochána and other statutory and community agencies, ensuring a coordinated multi-agency approach.
• Work in partnership with parents to strengthen parenting capacity, supporting the development of appropriate routines, boundaries, discipline strategies, care practices and child development outcomes.
• Establish and maintain links with local services, community groups and relevant support organisations to enhance resources and opportunities available to families.
• Work under the guidance of line management, comply with all Focus Ireland policies and procedures, contribute to service evaluation and development, and actively participate in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

What You Will Need

• A Third Level qualification at degree level in the area of social care i.e. youth work, Early Childhood Care, Education, social studies, addiction, psychology, etc and/or be a CORU registered Social Care Worker.
• Proven extensive experience working with children and families.
• Very good understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding responsibilities, and appropriate responses to any concerns.
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviour.
• Willingness to develop professional skills as identified through supervision.
• Own car and have a full clean driving licence.
• A working knowledge of the services in the homeless sector. (Desirbale)

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

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