Applications are now invited for the following position:Professionally Qualified Social Worker(1.0 WTE/5 days per week; Specified Purpose Post for 13 months duration) St Patrick's Mental Health Services is Ireland's largest independently governed, not-for-profit mental health care service. We are driven by a vision, energy and commitment to the provision of quality mental health care, the promotion of mental health and the protection of the rights and integrity of those with mental health difficulties in Ireland. St Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer.St Patrick's Mental Health Services is seeking a Professionally Qualified Social Worker to join our friendly team and gain experience in the field of mental health.The post holder will work collaboratively with two multidisciplinary teams to provide high-quality, recovery-oriented social work intervention to adults experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues in an acute care setting. As part of a team of social workers, you'll gain hands-on experience across various specialist mental health areas. You'll be supported to:Develop foundational skills in the field of mental health Work alongside experienced social workers in diverse clinical teams Participate in group work and co-facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational sessionsContribute to family interventions and groupsEngage in reflective supervision and structured learning opportunitiesPrior practice experience of mental health service provision is not required for this post, but the applicant must be able to demonstrate how their practice experience to date would apply to mental health care provision.Successful applicants for the post: Must have a professional qualification in social work and be registered with CORU as a Social Worker. Must be able to demonstrate a clear appreciation of the needs of adults and adolescents experiencing mental health issues and the role of social work in providing support to them and their families. DesirableExperience working in mental health services or hospital-based servicesAn interest in the field of mental health service provision and rights-based care Demonstrated critical thinking skills Strong teamworking skills A clear commitment and openness to new learning For informal enquiries please contact:Elaine DonnellyHead of Social WorkTel: Email: (Applications should not be made to this email address)Please note that if you are viewing this advert via Irishjobs, the contact details for informal enquires above are not visible as irishjobs do not allow telephone numbers or emails to be present in adverts. However, these details are visible in the advert on the St Patrick's website in the career vacancies section.Applications must take the form of (i) a letter of application that includes stated reasons for wishing to perform the role of Professionally Qualified Social Worker with St Patrick's Mental Health Services, and (ii) a Curriculum Vitae. All of the items referred to here must be uploaded as one document by Friday, 13thMarch 2026.
Panels may be formed from which future positions may be filledSt Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employerPlease note that while we seldom work with recruitment agencies, on the rare occasions we specify that we will accept CVs from recruitment agencies, it is only from those who engage in ethical practice. We do not expect recruitment agencies to charge candidates for placements, and do not condone this behaviour as it is not accepted practice.Job DescriptionAbout the organisationSt Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality mental healthcare, to promoting mental health awareness, and to advocating for the rights of those experiencing mental health difficulties.We employ over 700 staff across our services. We hold our staff in high esteem and regard them as our most important asset, enabling us to fulfil our mission. We strive to create and maintain a forward-looking environment where our staff can be innovative and experience satisfaction in their work. We are committed to ensuring the ongoing development of our staff.SPMHS core valuesHuman Rights – supporting dignity, choice and voiceQuality Care – excellence in service delivery and collaborationInnovation – encouraging improvement and new ideasThe role Professionally Qualified Social Worker (1.0 WTE/5 days per week; Specified Purpose contract)The main purpose of this position is to provide social work interventions in respect of service users. The Professionally Qualified Social Workers will report to the Head of Social Work.The benefitsBy joining us, you become part of Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider, bringing lots of opportunities for your career. We offer you many employee benefits, including:A competitive salary range: €54,086 - €71,63626 days annual leave Pension schemeOngoing trainingPaid study leave and funding for further educationSupport for career advancement and professional developmentSubsidised canteen and onsite gymBike to Work and TaxSaver Commuter Ticket schemesLocationSt Patrick's Mental Health Services (incorporating St Patrick's University Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8; St Edmundsbury Hospital, Lucan; Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, James's Street, Dublin 8; and the Dean Clinics). Hybrid working available dependent on operational requirements.ResponsibilitiesIn carrying out any and all duties, the Social Worker must ensure at all times that due regard is given to relevant legislation, to the policies and procedures of St Patrick's Mental Health Services, and to CORU and best practice standards. The main duties of the Social Worker are as follows:participation in the overall care of service users as a member of a multidisciplinary team/s, by acting as a resource to the team/s and by providing specialist knowledge and skills in the field of social workassessment of each service user with a view to addressing their needs, and contribution of relevant information and its analysis to overall multidisciplinary assessment and care planning in casesperformance of the lead role in child protection and welfare within the multidisciplinary team – a role that includes determining the nature and extent of child protection and/or welfare concerns, working in conjunction with St Patrick's Mental Health Services' Designated Liaison Person for the Protection and Welfare of Children and of Vulnerable Adults, liaising with the Child and Family Agency and other community services to determine whether they are involved with the mental health service user and his or her family in relation to child protection and/or welfare matters, and identifying appropriate supportsperformance of the lead role, within the multidisciplinary team, in dealing with mistreatment of older persons and with safeguarding of vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, in accordance with St Patrick's Mental Health Services' policies regarding these matters - this role involves collaborating with the Designated Liaison Person for the Protection and Welfare of Children and of Vulnerable Adults to ensure that all cases of suspected or alleged mistreatment of older persons and all cases of vulnerable adults of any age who are at risk of abuse are taken seriously and dealt with through defined procedures of the organisation; performance of the role of key worker as requiredacceptance of service user referrals from colleagues on the multidisciplinary team/s (both in-patient and out-patient service users) and ensuring that the relevant consultant/s and other involved multidisciplinary team members are updated – by attendance of regular team meetings and by phone or in writing as may be appropriate – about the nature and outcome of social work involvementmaintenance of up-to-date records on each service user in receipt of social work assessment or intervention, by making timely typed entries to relevant clinical record charts within the electronic record system and by ensuring that social work reports and letters are copied to sameprovision of information, psychoeducation, advice and/or counselling to service users and to involved significant others as may be appropriatefacilitation of family meetings and family work, as may be appropriate, to address relevant mattersengagement in group work practice to facilitate a process of education, support or therapy for service users or for their significant others, as may be relevantprovision of information, advice and advocacy, as may be appropriate, towards enabling service users to access potentially beneficial services and resources relevant to various aspects of life, such as rehabilitation, social care, income maintenance, accommodation, legal assistance, and welfare rightsparticipation in and contribution to social work team meetings, towards enhancing the function of the Department of Social Work within and on behalf of the organisationcommitment to continuous professional development, by availing of relevant training opportunities and by contributing to social work learning initiatives such as peer supervision and journal review and discussion groupsparticipation in working groups and membership of relevant committees within the organisationmaintenance of records and statistical data about matters relevant to management of the Department of Social Work and to the organisationperformance of all other duties relevant to the role as may be requiredThis job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties. The person appointed may be required to perform other duties as appropriate which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the position. The person appointed will be assigned specific targets in terms of tasks and revenue.Person specificationQualifications and/or experience Candidates:Must have a professional qualification in social work and be registered with CORU as a Social Worker. Must be able to demonstrate a clear appreciation of the needs of adults and adolescents experiencing mental health issues and the role of social work in providing support to them and their families. Desirable:Experience working in mental health services or hospital-based servicesAn interest in the field of mental health service provision and rights-based care Demonstrated critical thinking skills Strong teamworking skills Skills, competencies, and knowledgePossess relevant professional knowledge and skills for effective practice as a Social Worker in the field of adult mental health - a role that includes provision of due care and attention to the protection and welfare of children and of vulnerable adults. Have demonstrable ability to competently carry out essential tasks of social work practice in the field of adult mental health, including tasks associated with the protection and welfare of children and of vulnerable adults. Possess excellent communication skills.Have strong organisational ability.Be able to work effectively as a team member and to work without daily supervision and within defined parameters. Possess sound administrative skills.Be self-motivated and have willingness and ability to assume an appropriate level of responsibility.Have developed ethical awareness for best practice.Please note: All above criteria are essential unless otherwise specifiedTerms and ConditionsTenure: 1.0WTE Full time, Specified Purpose contract, pensionable as below.Working Week: The standard hours applying to this position is 35 hours per week.Salary: The applicable salary scale is from €54,086 - €71,636 per annum, with reference to St Patrick's Mental Health Services 2026 salary scale for Professionally Qualified Social Workers.Annual Leave The annual leave associated with the position 26 days per annum.Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme upon commencement of employment. The scheme is a defined contribution scheme with a deduction from the salary of the employee of 4%. In respect of an internal appointment being made the individuals existing pension arrangements will continue.Probation: The appointee will be appointed in a probationary capacity for the first six months during which time the job holder's performance will be subject to ongoing review. Any extension to or suspension of the period of probation will be in line with the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) 2022.Health: The appointee must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.Character: The appointee must be of good character.Retirement Age: Normal retirement age for employees is 66 years which is also normal pension age.