PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
The role of the Social Care Worker is vital to the successful delivery of quality programmes and services in Neart Le Cheile for children who access the service. The Social Care worker will support the children aged 4-18 and their caregivers of Neart Le Cheile, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
The Social Care Worker will look to fulfil a key supportive and advocative role for children and caregivers accessing Neart le Cheile.. They will assist and support children and caregivers who use the service with the development of an individual person-centered care plan while promoting outcomes and achievements to fulfil their potential. The Social Care Worker will be responsible for supporting Children from universal level to intensive wrap around supports for those presenting with multiple and complex needs for a period of time.
The Social Care Worker will report directly to the project manager and will be assigned a supervisor to provide regular support and supervision. The Social Care Worker will be a member of, and work collaboratively with the senior social care worker, wider Neart Le Cheile staff team, and external service providers and stakeholders in the Clondalkin region. The Social Care Worker will also ensure the effective day to day running of the Neart Le Cheile project, all aspects of health and safety, Fire safety, hygiene and the physical environment.
The Neart Le Cheile Service is located in Unit 1 / 2 Neilstown Shopping Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, (D22 AK38).
This role involves working (38 hours per week) Monday to Thursday 09.45 – 18.00 and Friday 09.30 – 14.30 however, some earlier or evening work will be required to facilitate group work, staff accompaniments or the functioning needs and operation of the service and a time in Lieu system is in operation.
The Social Care Worker will have a background in one of the following, Social Care Practice, Social Care Work, Applied Social Care, and Education to a minimum level of Ordinary Bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 7) or Honours Bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) - (National Framework of Qualifications) in Social Care.
The ideal candidate would also be entered onto the CORU register of Social Care Workers.
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CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE:
The nature of Neart Le Cheiles work involves supporting the most vulnerable and marginalized families and children in society who often have complex needs and may present with trauma.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
· To assess individual children's needs and develop and deliver appropriate care and case management.
* Implement standardised evidence-based therapeutic interventions and care planning frameworks.
* To be part of a key working and case management system, this will include the development and implementation of a structured care plan with children. This will recognise the needs of each child.
* To actively participate and provide leadership in the provision of services and in particular to liaise with colleagues to ensure a holistic care approach with families and children.
* To support other Neart Le Cheile staff by liasing and working co-operatively around referrals, assessments, care plans, accompaniments and follow up that may be required.
* To engage with and develop connections with community support services and other networks. This will facilitate a two-way approach to sending and receiving referrals from relevant services. This will be done in a safe and client centred manner, that will provide the client with options and additional supports. It will also raise awareness of Neart Le Cheile support services in the wider community.
· To promote and advertise ongoing services and activities that the service provides, and to support people using the service to engage in ways that will improve their life circumstances.
· To always approach children and families with dignity and respect and ensure they are provided with choices around the care and services they receive.
· To develop opportunities to deliver activities and initiatives that tie into the national drug strategy and local and national awareness campaigns.
* To provide an accompaniment service that offers support and advocacy. Accompaniments can include but are not limited to School or house drop and pickups, Activity based programmes outside of the service, and attending planned appointments with external professional organisations that have links with the child or care giver
· To attend staff meetings, handovers, case reviews and any other meetings as appropriate and contribute in a professional manner.
· Maintain the service to a high standard including cleaning of Workstations, office spaces, communal areas and outside areas.
· To be aware of child protection issues and correct reporting procedures
· To adhere to all policies and procedures, particularly in relation to child protection, safeguarding, confidentiality, finance, personal safety and client care.
· To keep accurate, up to date and factual client records via the Neart Le cheile recording platforms (Salesforce / E-cass System)
· To assist children and caregivers in providing feedback on services through meetings, the complaints procedures, suggestions and use of questionnaires in a child friendly manner.
· To promote children and caregivers participation by providing information, advice and choices to enable individuals to participate fully in daily decisions relating to them.
· To assist clients in gaining access to a range of community resources to enable them to increase confidence, socialisation, independence and problem-solving skills.
· To Adhere to all policies and procedures, particularly in relation to child protection, safeguarding, confidentiality, finance, personal safety and client care
· To be accessible and responsive at all times to clients' questions, concerns and requests for information.
· To assist Individuals in gaining access to their personal files in accordance with procedures.
· To report immediately to the Manager, any incidence of malpractice by a staff member in relation to the treatment of any children or caregiver accessing Neart Le Cheile
· To ensure that each child or caregivers personal property is respected and protected insofar as is possible.
The Appropriate Candidate Will Have:
· Professional Qualification in one of the following: Social Care Practice, Social Care Work, Applied Social Care, to a minimum level of Ordinary Bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 7) (National Framework of Qualifications) in Social Care.
· CORU: One of the following
(1) Registered with the social care workers registration board maintained by Coru.
(2) Hold a Coru approved social care Qualification and have applied for Coru registration (Evidence Required)
(3) Eligible for registration with the social care workers registration board maintained by Coru (Evidence required)
· Minimum One year post qualification experience of working directly with children with complex needs and impacted by parental / caregivers substance misuse and or mental health.
· The ability to relate to and care for Vulnerable children, young people, and to demonstrate a genuine respect for them, their parents, caregivers and families.
· An understanding of family dynamics, youth mental health, substance misuse, hidden harm, separated families, Domestic Violence abuse.
· Knowledge of child development, best carers practices, healthy family structures, healthy eating and local community supports to caregivers and children.
· Knowledge on facilitating and delivering evidence-based models of interventions to caregivers and children. (IE) Parenting Programmes,( Parents plus, Strengthening families, Non Violence Resistance Etc
· Understanding and experience of planning and delivering evidence-based programmes in a community context in particular attachment and resilience-based programmes for children.
· Work from Trauma Informed Practice in designing and facilitating targeted programmes for children and caregivers.
· Undertake the responsibilities of lead practitioner in cases involved in the Tusla Meitheal process.
· Knowledge and experience of child protection and reporting and Child Welfare protocols, Children First, Child Protection, policy and procedures
· Experience of working with and responding effectively to childhood trauma and trauma responses.
· High levels of confidence and excellent relationship management skills.
· A high level of ICT literacy including a proven ability to apply technology in the workplace
· Be fluent in written and spoken English and eligible to work in Ireland
Desirable:
It would be an advantage for the candidate to have:
· Experience working on one's own initiative, managing one's own caseload and time management.
· Full clean driver's license.
· Experience and knowledge of working in two or more of the following areas: Family Support, Child Residential Care, Mental Health, Challenging Behaviour, Addiction / Substance Misuse.
· Knowledge of the following programmes, Meitheal, Young Parent Support Programme, Intensive Family Support Programme, Child & Family Groupwork Programme, Systemic Trauma Therapy Programme
· Knowledge of statutory and voluntary social care services and systems.
· Knowledge of the National Drug and Alcohol strategy (Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery
· Experience and knowledge in the area of child protection and associated legislation and guidelines.
· Experience of working in, or a strong interest in the charity or not-for-profit sector
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· Read the Post Description Carefully
· Review the Job description/ Person specification, duties, and requirements to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
· Write a cover letter highlighting your suitability.
· Attach an up to date CV.
· Address each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description / person spec.
· Include copies of relevant qualifications, certificates, or references
· Ensure all documents are up to date and clearly labelled.
Submission Process:
· Send your application by email to by 5pm on 03/10/2025 and in the heading line please state "Social Care Worker Application" when attaching your cover letter and CV.
For any further queries around the advertised role, please contact:
: Service Manager
: Chairperson
Shortlisting will apply.
Please note only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted. Candidate must be available for in person interview
The successful candidate will only be appointed after successful completion of Garda vetting and reference checks.
Neart Le Cheile is an equal opportunities employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: €39,951.00-€46,185.00 per year
Benefits:
* Bike to work scheme
* Employee assistance program
* Sick pay
Education:
* Bachelor's (preferred)
Work Location: In person