Homeless Services Relief Support Worker

COPE Galway; Galway; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

COPE Galway provides essential social services in Galway, supporting people experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse survivors, and older adults. The organisation invites applications for frontline and administrative roles that contribute to safe, inclusive services and community wellbeing.

The role emphasizes teamwork, ongoing training, and a trauma-informed approach to help individuals access local services and improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• One year’s experience of working with homeless people and/or other vulnerable or marginalised groups OR a recognised third level qualification in social care or a related field.
• Understanding of homelessness and the needs of single homeless people.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Receptiveness to feedback from clients and colleagues.
• Knowledge of local services and welfare benefits system.
• Ability to prevent and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operations run smoothly and in accordance with COPE Galway policies.
• Provide a safe, welcoming environment and maintain high standards of hygiene.
• Meet practical needs of clients, including laundry and bedding.
• Assist project workers with referrals and admissions as appropriate.
• Support clients with health, safety and welfare.
• Record incidents, emergencies and handovers in the systems in place.
• Work as a positive team member and attend team meetings.

Education

Third level qualification in social care

Job description

COPE Galway has been providing essential social services in Galway for 60 years. We respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, and we support older people towards healthy, independent ageing. Our vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.

COPE Galway is deeply embedded in the Galway community. We are founded on the belief that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve and our community.

Our People

Our People, COPE Galway staff and volunteers, are the driving force behind everything we do. Their passion, commitment, and professionalism enable us to deliver a wide range of services, support more people, and make a real impact in the community.

We have a diverse range of roles, from frontline support workers and social care professionals to catering, community engagement and other professional roles. Each role is crucial in ensuring we deliver our services effectively and make a positive impact in the community.

Working with COPE Galway

Joining our team means you will make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families and individuals we support and contribute to driving meaningful social change in the community. Whether you are a frontline worker directly supporting clients or in an administrative role, you are vital to our efforts to address critical issues like homelessness and domestic abuse and to ensure that older people are valued and supported.

At COPE Galway, we prioritise the development and wellbeing of our people. We offer a supportive work environment, with opportunities for ongoing training, personal and professional growth, and leadership development.

Our Culture

We foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace, where diversity is valued. Our team is united by a shared mission and a genuine passion for empowering people and creating

meaningful change. We take a trauma-informed approach to the way we work and foster this culture in every aspect of the organisation, including a focus on the health and wellbeing of our staff.

Homeless Services

COPE Galway Homeless Service supports families and individuals in Galway who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We provide residential and non-residential services, including a day centre, street outreach, supported temporary accommodation and seasonal cold weather responses. Our family services offer family-focused support, emergency accommodation, and specific developmental support for children. Our resettlement service and Housing First programme teams work with individuals moving on from homelessness to secure long‑term housing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure operations run smoothly and in accordance with the policies and procedures of COPE Galway
• Ensure a safe, welcoming, and friendly environment is established and maintained.
• Ensure the practical needs of clients are met through the provision of laundry and bedding.
• Support project workers in dealing with referrals for admission and make admissions or referrals as appropriate .
• Assist all clients with health, safety, and general welfare.
• Respond to difficult or problematic situations in a sensitive manner.
• Support the project workers with clients to access local services.
• Ensure that all incidents, emergencies, events, and handovers are recorded using the recording systems in place.
• Ensure that health and safety standards are adhered to COPE Galway Safety Statement
• Maintain domestic, health, and hygiene standards in the building at the highest standards.
• Ensure that clients are consulted and involved in the operation of the project.
• Work positively and effectively as a member of a team.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings as required .
• Maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agencies.
• Foster positive relations with the local community and those living in the immediate neighbourhood .
• Continue to learn and develop professionally through participating in training and workshops.
• Adhere to all of COPE Galway’s policies and procedures.
• Work in line with NQSF (National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services)
• Ensure adherence to all OF COPE Galway’s policies in particular to Health and Safety, Child Protection, and Data Protection.
• Be available to work a variety of different shifts of differing lengths as set out in work rosters – this may include shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and Bank Holidays
• Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested .
  

Key Terms and Conditions

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Hours of work: R elief Contract

Annual Leave: accrued at 8% of total hours worked .

Salary: €18.22 per hour

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• One year’s experience of working with homeless people and/or other vulnerable or marginalised groups OR a recognised third level qualification in social care or a related field.
• An understanding of the nature of homelessness and the needs of single homeless people
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong Interpersonal and teamwork skills
• A receptiveness to feedback from clients and colleagues
• A knowledge of relevant local services and of the welfare benefits system
• An ability to prevent and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour

Equal Opportunity Employer

COPE Galway is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environments for all our employees.

Point one on the COPE Galway Health Care Assistant scale

Experience

One year’s experience of working with homeless people and/or other vulnerable or A recognised third level qualification in social care or a related fieldmarginalised groups or