Relief Support Worker

Saoirse Domestic Violence Services; Dublin; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension: My Future Fund

8% annual leave pro rata

Digital Doctor for employees and their

families

Education Support policy

Training & Development

Wisdom Wellbeing app

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing days

Job summary

Saoirse Domestic Violence Service seeks a Relief Support Worker to provide short-notice and planned cover for staff on leave in the Dublin refuge. You will assist with care planning, trauma-informed support for women and children, and operate the 24-hour helpline with a compassionate, non-judgemental approach.

The role is part of the Refuge Team, with a seasonal schedule, 12.5-hour shifts, and benefits including pension and wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum education to Degree to NFQ level 7 in a relevant area of social care, social studies, etc.
• Minimum of 1 year’s experience in a social care field.
• Experience using client databases and strong IT skills, plus good report writing.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding of children and young people.
• Understanding of risk assessment and risk management principles.
• Experience in supported residential services is desirable.
• Experience in a support service for people with complex needs is desirable.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Welcome women and children into emergency refuge accommodation and support them in settling into the service.
• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed emotional and practical support to individuals experiencing domestic abuse.
• Operate the 24-hour helpline and respond to people seeking support, information or crisis assistance.
• Work with the Refuge team and keyworkers to support clients’ care plans, referrals and advocacy needs.
• Maintain a safe, secure, respectful and welcoming environment, following safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and GDPR requirements.
• Keep accurate and timely client records, including updating the client database and completing relevant documentation.
• Support the day-to-day operation of the Refuge, including maintaining cleanliness, preparing rooms and reporting maintenance issues.
• Participate in team meetings, training and supervision, and undertake other duties.
• Additional tasks as needed to support the organization’s goals.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Report writing

Client databases

Trauma-informed care

Safeguarding knowledge

Risk awareness

Teamwork

Social care experience

Education

NFQ Level 7 degree in social care/related field

Job description

Relief Support Worker

At Saoirse Domestic Violence Service we're looking for a Relief Support Worker to join our team.
Seasonal · Refuge - South West Dublin

Role Overview

To provide short notice and planned cover for permanent employees on leave, as the need arises. The Relief Support Worker is a key member of the SDVS Team reporting directly to the Refuge Coordinator. The Relief Support Worker will provide support services to clients of Saoirse through actively supporting their Care Planning in conjunction with their Keyworkers in a non-judgemental, compassionate way and promoting empowerment and confidence building, through a philosophy of ‘self-help and mutual aid’.

What we offer you

- Salary: €18.05 per hour.

- Probation : 6 months

- Location : Dublin

- This role is part of the Refuge Team.

- Benefits : All employee benefits outlined below.

- Commitment to work–life balance and staff wellbeing .

- Hours of work: Variation of shift patterns, which will fall normally but not exclusively , from Monday – Sunday on a 12.5h per shift.

As the relief role is to provide cover for both planned and short notice leave, a high level of availability and flexibility is required.

Employee Benefits

- Pension: My Future Fund Pension Scheme.

- Annual leave: As an employee of SDVS, you will receive 8% annual leave entitlement pro rata.

- Digital Doctor: Free access to a digital doctor for employees and their families.

- Education Support: At SVDS we offer an Education Assistance policy for employees to apply for funding towards further education.

- Training & Development: Access to excellent training opportunities and continuous professional development.

- Well-being App: All employees have access to the Wisdom app to support employees in all 4 pillars of their well-being.

- EAP: We offer a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for employees and their families to avail of counselling support confidentially.

- Wellbeing Days: We host several employee wellbeing activities across the year for employees to take time out to focus on team building and their own wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

- Welcome women and children into emergency refuge accommodation and support them in settling into the service.

- Provide compassionate, trauma-informed emotional and practical support to individuals experiencing domestic abuse.

- Operate the 24-hour helpline and respond professionally to people seeking support, information or crisis assistance.

- Work collaboratively with the Refuge team and keyworkers to support clients’ care plans, referrals and advocacy needs.

- Maintain a safe, secure, respectful and welcoming environment, following safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and GDPR requirements.

- Keep accurate and timely client records, including updating the client database and completing relevant documentation.

- Support the day-to-day operation of the Refuge, including maintaining cleanliness, preparing rooms and reporting maintenance issues.

- Participate in team meetings, training and supervision, and undertake other duties appropriate to the role.

- Additional tasks are performed as needed to support the organization’s goals. Please see full job description on our Recruitment Pack here .

About you

Essential Criteria

- Must have minimum education to Degree to NFQ level 7 in a relevant area of social care, social studies, etc.

- Must have minimum of 1 years’ experience in a social care field.

- Must have experience of using client databases and have/possess good IT skills, as well as good report writing skills.

- Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

- A working knowledge and insight into the issues affecting women and children of domestic abuse and the impact on their physical, emotional and psychological well-being and development.

- An understanding of risk and needs assessment and of the principles of risk management.

- Thorough knowledge of procedures and practices relating to the Safeguarding of Children and Young People.

- Experience of working in supported residential services is desirable.

- Experience of working in a support service for people with complex needs is desirable

- Ability to work well in a team environment.