Job Title:
Drug and Alcohol Worker in the Irish Prison Service (IPS)
Location:
Mountjoy
Reports to:
MQI/IPS Treatment & Rehabilitation Coordinator
About This Role
MQI offers non-judgemental, one-one and group support to people in prison who use drugs and/or alcohol. The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for individuals impacted by substance use who are within the prison service.
Main Responsibilities
* Individual Support: Work directly with individuals impacted by drug or alcohol use.
* Group Work: Facilitate groups using evidence-based approaches.
* Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the needs of individuals, evaluating their needs and identifying appropriate interventions.
* Key Working: Providing guidance, advocacy, and support.
* Care Plan Development: Collaborate with clients to develop tailored care plans that address their specific needs and goals.
* Case Management: Manage cases by coordinating with various services and monitoring progress to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate supports to achieve the goals set out in care plans.
* Interventions: Provide evidence-based interventions, such as key working, psycho-educational workshops, and therapeutic activities.
* Explore rehabilitation and aftercare supports for people post-release.
* Link with prison staff to support people to access appropriate services.
Administrative Duties
* Client Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, assessments, progress, referrals and discharge summaries using electronic systems.
* Reporting: Prepare regular reports, statistics, and other necessary documentation as required by management
Compliance & Quality
* Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, security, and health and safety.
* Incident Management: Manage incidents effectively, following protocols and documenting details appropriately.
* Quality Standards: Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services in line with National Standards for Better Safer Healthcare.
Additional Responsibilities
* Meetings & Training: Attend internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities as required.
* Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the manager, contributing to the overall success of the service delivery.
Person Specification
Essential
* Level 7 qualification in Addiction/Social Care/Social Studies, Counselling, Psychology, or arelated field.
* 2 years of frontline experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol.
* Experience in group work.
* Knowledge of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Harm Reduction, CRA, CBT, SMART Recovery).
* Understanding of National Drug & Alcohol Strategy and National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
* Garda Vetting and Prison Security Clearance required (application will be facilitated my MQI).
Desirable
* Accreditation in evidence-based approaches to working with people who use drugs and alcohol (e.g. CRA, CBT, Resonance Factor, SMART Recovery).
* Experience working with people engaged with the criminal justice system.
Salary Scale:
34,960 – 39,214
Hours:
37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Contract:
Contract of Indefinite Duration following 6 months probationary period.
Benefits MQI Offer
* Fulfilling and challenging work.
* Sick Pay Scheme.
* Minimum 23 days of annual leave.
* Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months, plus Death in Service benefit).
* Line management supervision.
* Learning and development program.
* Paid family leave (maternity, paternity, parental, adoptive, force majeure, compassionate leave).
* Educational assistance (study and examination leave).
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
* Health & Wellness Programme.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please click the link to apply by the 5th of September 2025/merchants-quay-ireland/jobs/32778/ips-project-worker-dublin