About COPE GalwayCOPE 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 PeopleOur 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 GalwayJoining 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 CultureWe 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 creatingmeaningful 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.Domestic Abuse ServiceCOPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service supports and empowers women, children and young people who are subjected to domestic abuse. Based in Modh Eile House, we offer a range of services including a 24/7 confidential helpline, safe refuge accommodation, outreach services throughout Galway, and court accompaniment. We also provide domestic abuse training and awareness programmes.Our dedicated children and young peoples service, Solas Óg, provides one-to-one and group therapeutic supports for children and young people up to 25 years, and delivers healthy relationship workshops in schools and youth groups in Galway.We listen, believe and support women, children and young people on their journey toward a life free from domestic abuse.The RoleThe primaryfunction of this role is to provide court accompaniment in District, Circuitand High court predominantly in family and criminal law hearings, throughoutGalway City and County. There are eight court locations Galway city court,Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Gort, Tuam, Derrynea, Clifden and Inis Mór, all willneed to be attended at various times.Many womenwho contact our service need to seek safety through the legal system or areattending court for access, custody, guardianship, and maintenance where theyare experiencing domestic abuse. The courts process can be a dauntingexperience, this role aims to assist women to navigate the court process and procedureby providing support in what can be an intimidating environment. In doing this thecourt support worker will assist a victim/survivor of abuse to complete andsubmit court applications, compile a domestic abuse history, support andinformation with court preparation and post court support. This role will also incorporateaccompaniment to legal aid, solicitor appointments and to An Garda Síochánawhere requested.Maintainingeffective working relationships with court staff, solicitors, Judges, and AnGarda Síochána is a key component of this role. The position requiresproactively sharing information about our service and encouragingprofessionals understanding of the value and impact of providing consistentsupport to clients throughout the legal process.Duties and responsibilitiesTo support women who have been subjected to domestic violence by listening and providing emotional support around their experiences of domestic violenceTo support and accompany women to courtTo support and accompany women to An Garda Síochána when making a statementTo support and accompany women to legal aid and/or solicitor appointmentsTo advocate for the rights of clients when and where neededTo work with a woman to assess their safety needs and develop appropriate safety plans in responseTo manage a case load and diary in relation to appointmentsTo network and develop links with local service providers relevant to clients situations including, Gardai, court service, Legal Aid, Legal practitioners etc.To disseminate information in relation to service availabilityTo always observe and enforce a policy of strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of the service.To maintain and update accurate records of all files and any associated documentation, including updating the database notes, in a timely and professional manner.To liaise and work cooperatively with the other teams, including the Children and Young Person service, Solas Óg, the outreach team and the refuge team, around family supports, court referrals and follow up needed, in an inclusive communication style.To attend regular case management and supervision meetings with the Outreach manager.To attend and support awareness raising events as requiredContribution to COPE Galway Domestic Abuse ServiceAttend all mandatory training, be pro-active with your own training and development and attend any other training as requested by your line managerAttend and contribute to all team meetings, as directedWork in accordance with the policies and procedures of the service, and bring any difficulties to the attention of your line manager, including working on the further development of policy and procedure, as appropriateWork within the ethos and philosophy of the service at all timesEnsure that all support to clients is appropriate and in accordance with COPE Galway policy guidelinesHealth & SafetyTake reasonable care for your own safety, health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissionsCo-operate with your employer in relation to compliance with statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, 2005Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing the safety, health and welfare of employeesRespect protective clothing and equipment provided for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activitiesReport to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace, plant, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to dangerEnsure to regularly review and proactively stay informed of all health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basisBe proactive in the area of self-care with regard to identifying any impacts of the workEssential RequirementsA minimum of two years direct work experience with victims of domestic abuseA NFQ Level 8 qualification supportive of the roleDemonstrable knowledge of current domestic abuse legislation and issuesDemonstratable experience in fostering positive relationshipsExcellent organisational skills, including in the use of ICTExcellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the capacity to prepare reports, file notes, correspondence to a high standardFully flexible and a willingness to meet the demands of the roleFull, clean driving licence and access to own transportSelf-motivated and ability to work on your own initiativeKnowledgeKnowledge of the dynamics of abuse, the impact of abuse on women and children and how women and children can presentKnowledge of the role of power and control within an abusive relationship and how theories of power and control can be utilised to empower a womanKnowledge and an understanding of the impact of trauma and knowledge / experience of working with women who are so impactedKnowledge of a broad range of issues including mental health, addictions, relationship and family breakdown, poverty and social exclusionA commitment to feminist principles in the practice of working on violence against womenA commitment to striving for zero tolerance of DSGBVA high degree of cultural competency, with knowledge of the impact of domestic abuse as it pertains to women from minority backgroundsCompetent in the collection, collation and analysis of information, whether through paper-based systems or ICT-based systemsEqual Opportunity EmployerCOPE Galway is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environments for all our employees.