Project Worker, Youth Day Services, The Extension, Dublin
Location: Dublin 7
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
The Extension Service is a drop-in centre and often the first point of contact for homeless young people. We provide a safe, stable space with essentials such as food, showers, and laundry facilities. Our goal is to support change by engaging young people in creating pathways out of homelessness as quickly as possible.
Benefits: 25 days Annual Leave & 3 Concession Days, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, Maternity Top Up 26 Weeks, Tax-Saver Scheme, Education Assistance Policy, Paid Sick Leave policy, Premium rates for unsocial hours
Supports: Employee Assistance Program, Reflective Practice, Supervision, Well being initiatives including monthly meditations
What you will do:
* Work within the objectives, policies, and procedures of Focus Ireland, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety standards.
* Provide a safe, welcoming environment for young people (18–26) who are homeless or at risk, including basic care and support.
* Build trusting relationships with young people, particularly those living on the streets or in temporary accommodation, and support them toward stability.
* Assist young people in accessing housing, welfare rights, entitlements, and move-on accommodation.
* Facilitate engaging and educational group activities using non-formal education methods.
* Offer advice, information, and guidance to prevent homelessness or respond to out-of-home situations.
* Maintain accurate casework records, daily logs, and assessments, ensuring timely data entry into the Focus Ireland database.
* Develop and maintain professional links with other agencies to coordinate services for young people.
* Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, attending meetings, training, and regular supervision sessions.
* Support the day-to-day running of the service, including practical tasks, flexible rota work (evenings/weekends), and continuous role development in line with service objectives.
What you will need:
* A Third Level qualification at degree level in the area of social care i.e. youth work, social studies, addiction, psychology etc and/or be a CORU registered Social Care Worker
* Direct experience in the youth work/social care field working with disadvantaged young people.
* A strong knowledge of issues affecting young people out-of-home and their impact on young people and their physical, emotional, and psychological development.
* Relevant experience of dealing with high risk and challenging behaviour.
* Relevant experience of working in a team which shares a common goal.
* Computer literate
* Knowledge of the National Quality Standards Framework for Youth Work 2011 (Desirable)
* An awareness of child protection issues and ways of responding appropriately to any concerns. (Desirable)
Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
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