Applications are now invited for the following position: St Patricks Mental Health Services is seeking a Professionally Qualified Social Worker to join our friendly team and gain experience in the field of mental health: Professionally Qualified Social Worker (1.0 WTE/5 days per week; Specified Purpose contract) We are offering an exciting opportunity for a newly qualified social worker to gain experience in the field of mental health service provision. This position is designed to help you transition from study to practice. As part of a team of social workers, youll gain hands-on experience across various specialist mental health areas. Youll be supported to: Develop foundational skills in mental health social work Work alongside experienced social workers in diverse clinical teams Participate in group work and co-facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational sessions Contribute to family interventions Engage in reflective supervision and structured learning opportunities Prior 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 posts: Essential Must have a professional qualification in social work and be registered with CORU as a Social Worker or, must reasonably be expected to receive a professional qualification in social work and to be registered with CORU as a Social Worker before July 31st 2025 at latest. 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 services An 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 Informal Enquiries only to: Elaine Donnelly, Head of Social Work Tel: 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 Patricks website in the career vacancies section. Applications in the form of a cover letter- that states the reasons for both the application and ones suitability for the role in line with the above standards; and a Curriculum Vitae should be uploaded as one documentby end of day on Tuesday, 24th June. Panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled. St Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer. Please 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 Description About the organisation St 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. The 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 benefits By joining us, you become part of Irelands 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: €53,020 - €70,224 26 days annual leave Pension scheme Ongoing training Paid study leave and funding for further education Support for career advancement and professional development Subsidised canteen and onsite gym Bike to Work and TaxSaver Commuter Ticket schemes Location St Patricks Hospital, Jamess Street, Dublin 8, incorporating St Patricks Hospital Lucan and all SPMHS Dean Clinics. Responsibilities In 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 Patricks 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 work assessment 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 cases performance 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 Patricks 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 supports performance 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 Patricks 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 required acceptance 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 involvement maintenance 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 same provision of information, psychoeducation, advice and/or counselling to service users and to involved significant others as may be appropriate facilitation of family meetings and family work, as may be appropriate, to address relevant matters engagement in group work practice to facilitate a process of education, support or therapy for service users or for their significant others, as may be relevant provision 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 rights participation in and contribution to social work team meetings, towards enhancing the function of the Department of Social Work within and on behalf of the organisation commitment 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 groups participation in working groups and membership of relevant committees within the organisation maintenance of records and statistical data about matters relevant to management of the Department of Social Work and to the organisation performance of all other duties relevant to the role as may be required This 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 specification Qualifications and/or experience Candidates must: Must have a professional qualification in social work - NQSW or equivalent - and be registered with CORU (the regulatory body for Health and Social Care professionals in the Republic of Ireland) as a Social Worker at the time that application is made. Must possess a clear appreciation of the needs of adults and of adolescents with mental illness and how mental health service users and their families may be helped effectively in relation to the challenges they face. (While it will be an advantage for applicants to possess recent experience of professional practice in the field of adult mental health, it is appreciated that social workers operating in various fields - not only that of mental health care per se - must deal professionally with persons who are experiencing mental health difficulties of different kinds and that knowledge and skills gained in that regard can be valuable to practice as a Professionally Qualified Social Worker for St Patricks Mental Health Services.) Must be able to demonstrate how the professional experience they have acquired through direct clinical practice as a professionally qualified social worker can be beneficially applied in the context of service provision for adults and for adolescents that is made by SPMHS. Skills, competencies, and knowledge Possess 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 specified Terms and Conditions Tenure: 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 €53,020 - €70,224 per annum, with reference to St Patricks Mental Health Services 2025 salary scale for Professionally Qualified Social Workers. The salary that will be paid to the person appointed to the advertised post will be commensurate with their professional social work experience within the said salary scale. Annual Leave The annual leave associated with the position 26 days per annum. Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme after successful completion of probation. 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 holders 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. Please note: It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate must submit written confirmation of having successfully completed recognised training in the Mental Health Act by date of commencement. Skills: Social Work Mental Health Hospital