Recruitment Information Pack and Application FormROLE: Project WorkerWho we are:Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving developmental and life outcomes for children 0-18 years old. We also work directly with parents and foster carers to support and develop parenting in challenging contexts. As an organisation we strive to positive impact the wider professional network we operate within through external training, research and professional development opportunities.We are committed to embedding an evidence-based culture of trauma-informed care and therapeutic practice and hold ourselves to high standards in all engagement with service users, colleagues and stakeholders alike. We are committed to research and evaluation and continually assess the effectiveness of our service through independent research and partnership with third level institutions. We strive to be a positive place to work, providing staff with reflective practice, regular supervision and a training budget.With offices and services in Blackrock, Blackpool, Clonakilty and Farranree we employ 130 staff across all departments. We offer competitive salary packages as well as benefits including enhanced maternity leave; pension contribution scheme; health care plans; flexible working hours; internal and externally provided training opportunities, and competitive annual leave entitlement.Job TitleProject WorkerDepartmentYoung Parent Support ProgrammeApplications considered ViaApplication Form Only at:https://childhood-Please send completed application form to:Email: -Post: Childhood Matters, Blackrock, Cork City, T12CRA0Opening date for Applications1st October 2025Closing Date for Applications15th October 2025 @12 noonProposed Interview date(s)23rd October 2025, Blackrock Corkmay be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.Location of PostThe initial vacancy BessboroughDetails of ServiceChildhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.· Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.· CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.· Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.· The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.· Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.· Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 10-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety and Aftercare is incorporated into this project· Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.· Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services· Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.Purpose of Role:The Young Parents Support Programme -YPSP for short – is a support service for young mothers, fathers and their families from pregnancy and right through the first 1000 days of the child's life.We offer support, information and advocacy in all areas of a young parent's life including health, relationships, parenting, child care, social welfare entitlements, education, training and anything else about which the mother or father is concerned.We work with those who are pregnant or parenting up to 25 years of age. Through funding from the School Completion Programme we can support young parents to remain in or return to education.Our project workers engage with young parents and their babies through home visiting, community visits and onsite meetings. The service provided is tailored to the arising needs in a particular family. Families can be supported through various other forums such as Child Protection Case Conferences, Network meetings and Court.Reporting RelationshipThe Project Worker will report to the Family Support Services ManagerDuties and ResponsibilitiesMain Duties and ResponsibilitiesWorking with Children/Young People/FamiliesTo participate in the development and implementation of assessments and tailored interventions and to ensure appropriate recording of same.To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the service.Assist in supporting parents/guardians/ families to sustain the safe care of their children in the home setting.To liaise with the parent, family, general services and other agencies on behalf of the client.To attend meetings in relation to the care and developments of the children and their familiesParticipate in the completion of preliminary assessments, safety planning as required under Children's First this should be done in consultation with the relevant line manager.Compliance with relevant Childhood Matters policies.Attendance at Court when required.Home visiting and Lone working.Administration and AccountabilityTo attend team meetings and to report to the Family Support Service Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.To make written reports to the Family Support Service Manager and social work department where required on a regular basis on the progress of development of the children and their families.Reporting and recording any incidents, that may happen to the / children and their families or are caused by them.Ensure Child protection procedures are followedTo keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.To undertake ongoing professional training and development.To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.Team Work /Training & Professional DevelopmentParticipate in working within a team centered consistent approach.Participate in further training and development as required.Working with other professionals and external stakeholdersParticipate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc Engage in reflective and evidence-based practice.Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.Keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.Health & Safety· Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.Eligibility Criteria QualificationsApplicants must by the closing date of application have the following:· Minimum of NFQ Level 7 qualification in social care/family support/addiction studies/social science or a related fieldOr· Be registered in the Social Care Workers Register maintained by CORU.· Verification of garda Clearance· Validation of three references.· A full clean driver's licenseOther requirements of the roleEssentialExperience;Experience in conflict resolution mediationExperience in lone working/case managementExperienced in record keeping and report writingSkills, knowledge and abilities;Ability to work in a people centered and needs led mannerKnowledge of child development and family dynamicsUnderstanding of the relevant legislation, best practice and issues relevant to the area of Children's servicesAbility to network, develop links and engage with statutory sector and local communityExcellent communication, IT and report writing skillsAbility to work as part of a multidisciplinary teamAdaptable and flexible with regard to service development and working hoursDesirableGroup work with children and familiesExperience of working therapeutically with clientsExperience of legal responsibilities with regard to child protection and child careExperience in home visitingKnowledge around Trauma informed Care approachesInformed of signs of safetyTrained in Parenting Programmes or other relevant trainings to the postTenureThe current vacancies available are permanent/temporary and whole time/part- time.RemunerationThe Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:Aligned with the HSE Social Care Salary Scale October 2024Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation.Working WeekThe standard working week applying to the whole time equivalent of this post is: 24 hours.Annual LeaveThe annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rataProbationA probationary period of 6 months will applyAdditional BenefitsDefined contribution pension scheme.Enhanced maternity and paternity benefitAdditional Annual leave daysComprehensive annual CPD scheduleFinancial support for further educationJob Type: Part-timePay: €19.97 per hourExpected hours: 24 per weekBenefits:Bike to work schemeCompany pensionOn-site parkingPrivate dental insurancePrivate medical insuranceSick payWork Location: In person