Candidate Information Booklet
(Please read carefully)
Post of: Housing Welfare Officer
Closing Date: 4:00pm on Thursday, 8th January 2026
Important Notes
Completed Application Form (inclusive of all other required documentation)
must be emailed in PDF Format only as One Single Document (not individual
scanned documents) to
Please quote 'Housing Welfare Officer Application' followed by your
name in the subject line of the email.
Note: Hard copy Application Forms will not be accepted
General Information:
County Leitrim, located in the North West of Ireland, has a growing economy, picturesque landscape, vibrant
communities and a strong arts and cultural sector. Leitrim County Council's vision is to build an economically
strong, creative, inclusive county, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, invest and visit. Key to the
achievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enabling
technologies, efficient work processes and learning and development opportunities. We are committed to
the training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family friendly initiatives,
personal development and wellbeing of staff.
The Role
The Housing Welfare Officer role is based within the Housing Section of Leitrim County Council and will
provide additional support to assist the Social Housing Team in the management of social housing and
homelessness. The holder of the post will be working directly with people experiencing homelessness or who
are at risk of becoming homeless.
Tackling homelessness is a key priority and focus for Leitrim County Council. The Housing Welfare Officer will
proactively work to address homelessness by providing support, prevention and sustainable housing
solutions. The Council has made progress in relation to both preventative measures to prevent individuals
and families entering homelessness, and to support those individuals and families experiencing
homelessness to exit from emergency accommodation into secure and sustained tenancies in a timely
manner.
The Housing Welfare Officer will work with a focus on prevention, place- finding and generally moving clients
and families on from emergency facilities to more suitable accommodation. The role will involve intensive
and direct interaction with families and clients, and the provision of clear advice and support to enable them
to exit homelessness.
The Qualifications:
1. Character
Candidates shall be of good character.
2. Health
Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to
render regular and efficient service.
3. Citizenship:
Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:
i. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the
European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
ii. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
iii. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free
movement of persons; or
iv. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa;
or
v. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any
family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4
visa or
vi. A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA
member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa
4. Education, Training, Experience, etc.
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
(a) hold a recognised professional Social Work and/or Social Care qualification, the National
Qualification in Social Work or Certificate of Qualification in Social Work or a recognised
qualification in Social Care (Level 8);
and
b)have satisfactory experience in social work/social care that will, in the opinion of the local
authority, enable him or her to discharge the duties of the office.
Notes:
* Candidates must submit a copy of educational qualifications meeting the requirements of 4(a)
above with their application.
* Applications received without the necessary documentation will be deemed ineligible and will not
be considered further.
* Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications
Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of
Qualifications. Foreign Language qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation
document.
Candidates must also hold a current valid and unendorsed driving licence in respect of category B
vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving Licence and must advise if this is not the case. A copy of
Licence must be submitted with your application.
The Ideal Candidate Shall Have:
• An understanding of the role of a Housing Welfare Officer.
* Excellent professional / technical knowledge and skills.
* At least 2 years' experience working in the area of homeless service provision or similar type service.
* A good working knowledge of the background to and policies which govern the provision of social housing
in Ireland, including social and welfare rights and entitlements.
* An understanding of homelessness and how to respond effectively.
* An understanding of the representational role of elected members and of local government structures, as
well as the important roles of government and non-government agencies and organisations, charities and
voluntary groups involved in the area of homelessness and tenancy sustainment, and the need to work
with them to deliver quality services and implement policy decisions.
* Ability to conduct assessments of need in a sensitive and professional manner.
* Capacity to support people experiencing homelessness to make informed decisions.
* Ability to work in direct contact with a diverse range of external agencies and organisations.
* Strong interpersonal, communication, organisational and negotiating skills and ability to represent the
Council in a professional and credible manner.
* A strong knowledge and competency regarding social housing options and an understanding of how to
prevent, divert or progress from homelessness.
* The ability to identify and liaise with other service providers to prevent homelessness, or minimise time
spent in emergency accommodation.
* Ability to ensure policies, procedures and quality standards are adhered to and maintained, in particular
those that support safe services.
* Ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects and to work to strict deadlines.
* Self-motivation with the ability to work on their own initiative as well as an integral part of a team.
* Experience of working with vulnerable adults.
* Experience in relation to child protection.
* Experience of managing challenging circumstances and behaviours.
* Solutions focused approach.
* Effective financial and resource management skills.
* Flexibility and availability to work outside normal office hours as required.
* Strong ICT and presentation skills.
* A good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health & Safety legislation and
regulations.
Competencies for the Post:
Key Competencies for the post include the following and candidates will be expected to demonstrate
sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take
particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will
be based on the information provided by candidates.
Delivering Results /
• Translates the business or team plan into clear priorities and actions for their
Communicating area of responsibility.
Effectively
• Plans work and allocation of resources effectively.
* Implements high quality service and customer care standards.
* Demonstrates the ability to act decisively and make timely, informed and
effective decisions.
* Develops and maintains positive, productive and beneficial working
relationships with relevant interests.
* Demonstrates the ability to recognize the value of and requirement to
communicate effectively.
* Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills and good
interpersonal skills.
Performance
• Leads and works with the stakeholders (internal and external) to achieve
Management department and corporate objectives.
• Effectively manages performance.
* Motivation and positivity as part of a team.
* Ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects and to work to strict
deadlines.
* Ability to work on own initiative as well as an integral part of a team.
* Has strong organisational skills including meeting facilitation and
administration.
* Demonstrates the ability to sustain a positive image and profile of the local
authority.
Personal
• Keeps up to date with current developments, trends and best practice in their
Effectiveness area of responsibility.
* Is enthusiastic about the role and is motivated in the face of difficulties and
obstacles.
* Takes initiative and is open to taking on new challenges or responsibilities.
* Manages time and workload effectively.
* Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence.
* Operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace.
* Understands and implements change and demonstrates flexibility and
openness to change.
* Is a self-starter, strong on research and maintains resilience in securing buy in
and commitment to overall concepts or projects.
Knowledge,
• Demonstrates understanding of the role of Housing Welfare Officer.
Experience and
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the background to and
Skills policies which govern the provision of social housing in Ireland.
* Demonstrates knowledge of current local government issues, priorities,
concerns and future direction.
* Has relevant experience in engaging and working effectively with a diverse
range of stakeholders.
* Has relevant experience of engaging with and supporting individuals in crisis
and identifying and delivering appropriate responses.
* Has experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
* Has experience of preparing and presenting reports and correspondence.
The Principal Terms & Conditions:
The Office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed from which Housing Welfare
Officer vacancies arising during the lifetime of the panel (12 months) may be filled.
Duties
The duties of the office are to give to the local authority and
(a) Such other local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive, for the purposes of the Local
Government Acts, is Chief Executive, and
(b) to any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or
by any of the authorities or bodies mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph,
under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such other officers as the Chief Executive
may from time to time determine, such appropriate services of an administrative, supervisory and advisory
nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers, duties and functions as may be
delegated to him or her by the Chief Executive from time to time and shall include the duty of deputising for
other officers of the local authority.
Reporting to the Administrative Officer or other appropriate supervisor/line manager in the Housing
Department,the main duties and responsibilities of the post of Housing Welfare Officer may include but are
not limited to the following:
* Assessment of persons presenting as homeless, including maintaining links with other local authorities,
Gardaí, Health Services Executive, Tusla, any other relevant bodies, and with internal staff within the
Housing Department.
* Placement of persons deemed as homeless, taking account of housing legislation, financial constraints,
child protection issues, sex offenders legislation and other relevant legislation.
* Organising and arranging temporary emergency accommodation within the existing services available,
should it be required.
* Liaising with other relevant statutory and voluntary bodies in relation to the provision of homeless
services.
* Operation of PASS (Homeless IT system).
* Case managing families and individuals in emergency accommodation, or those in certain other types of
emergency accommodation that require support, to identify their individual support needs, and care
plans and supporting them to engage with appropriate community/health services and developing and
implementing an exit strategy from homelessness in each case.
* Working with service providers in identifying suitable alternative temporary private emergency
accommodation, B&B, Hotel, self-catering apartments etc.
* Managing Housing First, Housing Led and other homeless initiatives for families and individuals who
require emergency accommodation.
* Working with Approved Housing Bodies in homeless area and organising additional services required in
County Leitrim.
* Assisting persons in settling into accommodation and ensuring that clients are fully briefed on services
available to them from external agencies.
* Working with Social Housing Tenants in respect of issues identified that are putting their social housing
tenancy at risk.
* Assisting the Tenant Liaison Officer with Pre-Tenancy Training and other issues that may affect a social
housing tenancy.
* Providing support to the Assessments, Allocations and Tenant Liaison Teams within the Housing
Department.
* Developing and maintaining positive and productive working relationships across a range of internal
and external stakeholders.
* Working on an inter-agency basis and with external bodies and groups as appropriate in relation to the
development and delivery of initiatives, programmes and projects.
* Identifying and developing collaborative partnerships and programmes in response to identified needs.
* Advising and making recommendations to the Council on policy formulation in relation to homeless
services, tenant welfare services and social housing supports.
* Representing the Housing Department and/or the Council on relevant committees and/or at a range of
meetings and events as and when required.
* Attending meetings, participating on relevant Working Groups, Committees etc as appropriate and as
requested.
* Compiling, preparing and presenting reports/claims/returns, including site visits, record checking,
presentations and correspondence as necessary.
* Keeping necessary records and compiling relevant statistics for reporting to management, elected
members, government departments etc.
* Engaging with housing applicants and tenants where required.
* Provision of a tenant welfare service where appropriate and liaison with other appropriate persons and
agencies as required, including the Tenant Liaison Officer.
* Provision of advice and assistance to individual tenants with difficulties such as financial, family and
personal problems.
* Attendance at Case Conferences, CPC's and other meetings as required including SPC, Council and
Municipal District meetings, Community Safety Partnership and Local Traveller Accommodation
Consultative Committee etc.
* Referring child safeguarding concerns to the Designated Child Protection Liaison Officer and, where
required, engaging with TUSLA and An Garda Síochána.
* Assisting in the implementation of new and existing initiatives on all housing related matters.
* Attending Court proceedings as witness on behalf of Leitrim County Council as appropriate.
* Undergoing training as required, including CPD training as appropriate.
* Identifying opportunities for improvements in service delivery within their work area and wider Housing
Department.
* Supporting and implementing change management initiatives within their work area and wider Housing
Department.
* Participating in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to the grade.
* Working in compliance with Health and Safety legislative requirements, policies and procedures and
safe systems of work.
* Deputising for the line manager or equivalent as required.
* Undertaking any other duties of a similar level and responsibility, as may be required, or assigned from
time to time.
The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing
the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be
required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions
from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time
by the Local Authority.
The role requires flexibility in terms of working hours as the duties may involve working outside of normal
office hours.
2. Salary:
The salary scale for the position of Housing Welfare Officer (effective 1st August 2025) will be within the
range:
€44,255, €47,166, €48,547, €50,671, €52,928, €55,237, €57,580, €59,965
€62,366, €64,156, €65,971, €67,244 LSI1
Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars. Offers of
appointment to persons who are not serving local authority employees will be based on the minimum of
this scale. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy.
The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post
shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to or
received by him/her by virtue of the post or in respect of any services, which he / she is required by or
under any enactment to perform.
3. Residence:
The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which his or her duties are to be performed or within a
reasonable distance thereof and will be required to serve in the Local Authority's Offices, or wherever
assigned by the Local Authority.
Leitrim County Council reserves the right to, at any time, re-assign an employee to any Department or
premises now or in the future.
1. Probation:
All contracts will be subject to a probationary period, during which the performance of the successful
applicant will be regularly evaluated.
Where a person is permanently appointed to Leitrim County Council the following provisions shall apply:
(a) There shall be a period after appointment takes effect, during which such a person shall hold the position
on probation;
(b) Such period shall be one year but the Chief Executive may, at his/her discretion, extend such period;
(c) Such a person shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation, unless during this
period the Chief Executive has certified that the service is satisfactory;
(d) There will be ongoing assessments during the probationary period.
Employment may be terminated by either party during probation or at the end of the probationary period
on one week's notice.
1. Health:
For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful
candidate, before he/she is appointed to a permanent position, to undergo a medical examination by a
qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.
6. Annual Leave:
The annual leave entitlement for this post will be 30 days per annum, on a pro-rata basis depending on
duration of any temporary contract.
7. Working Hours:
The successful candidate's normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week. The Council reserves the right
to alter hours of work from time to time. The post may require flexibility in working outside of normal
hours, including evenings and/or weekends, as necessary.
All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation
of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.
8. Superannuation:
All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1st January 2013 will be members
of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
All members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be required to contribute 3.5% of net
pensionable remuneration plus 3% of pensionable remuneration. Pension and retirement lump sums for
member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will be based on career-average pay; pensions will
be co-ordinated with the State Pension Contribution Scheme.
Persons who are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme
1998, and are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution, will be required in respect of
superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration plus
3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social
insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult
dependant or qualified children). You will also be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses
and Childrens' Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of
pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.
Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of
PRSI contribution will be required in respect of his/her superannuation to contribute to the local authority
at the rate of 5% of pensionable remuneration. You may also be required to pay Spouses and
Children/Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of pensionable remuneration.
9. Retirement Age:
The Single Public Service Pension Scheme ("Single Scheme") as provided by the Public Service Pensions
(Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 commenced with effect from 1st January 2013. The act
introduced new retirement provisions for new entrants to the public service appointed on or after 1st
January 2013, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more
than 26 weeks. In accordance with Circular Letter 24/2020 Single Pension Scheme Members normal
retirement age will be in line with the age of eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory). Compulsory
Retirement Age will be 70.
There is no mandatory retirement age for "new entrants" to the public service as defined in the Public
Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Anyone who is "not a new entrant" to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, had been subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years – the
Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 provides for an increase in the compulsory
retirement age of most pre-2004 public servants from age 65 to age 70.
10. Pension Abatement:
If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled
to, or in receipt of, a pension from the Civil or Public Service, or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes
into payment during the appointee's re-employment, that pension will be subject to abatement in
accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.
Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement
provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body will
support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.
11. Drivers Licence / Travel:
Holders of the post shall be required to possess a current unendorsed full driving license (Category B) and
shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the
satisfaction of the local authority. The post holder's Insurance policy must cover such use and must
indemnify Leitrim County Council.
Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with nationally agreedrates applicable in the
sector.
12. Outside Employment
The position is whole-time and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with
any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.
13. Garda Vetting:
The successful candidate may be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures in line with the provisions of
the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 as appropriate in advance
of appointment and on a periodic basis thereafter for the duration of their employment.
14. Data Protection:
Please note that the information received is used solely for the purpose of considering your application.
Such information held is subject to the rights and obligations set out in the Data Protection Acts, 1988,
2003 & 2018 and EU Regulation 2016/679.
SELECTION PROCESS:
(i) Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the
local authority.
(ii) Leitrim County Council reserves the right to shortlist applications on the basis of information supplied
on the application form and only those shortlisted will be called for interview.
(iii) Candidates called for interview will be assessed on the competencies for the post as set out above.
(iv) A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview. Candidates whose names are on a panel and
who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they
are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the respective panels, be appointed to
this post. The life of the panels will not be more than one year from the date of formation of the panels.
(v) The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such
appointment within a period of not more than one month and if they fail to take up the appointment
within such period or longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine,
the local authority shall not appoint them.
All applications must be made on the official Application Form whichis available to download on Leitrim
County Council's website or alternatively, contact the Human Resources Department
(Email: )
Completed Application Forms, inclusive of all required documentation, must be submitted in PDF
Format only as One Single Document (not individual scanned documents).
CLOSING DATE:
Completed Application Forms must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, 8th January 2026 via email
to Applications received after this date and time will not be considered.
Please quote 'Housing Welfare Officer Application' followed by your name in the subject line of the
email.
Candidates will receive an automatic acknowledgement when they submit their application form to
the above email. You should check your Spam/Junk Folders in the event that you do not receive this
acknowledgement. The onus is on the candidate to ensure that their application has been received and
acknowledged.
The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that their application form is received by the Human
Resources Department of Leitrim County Council on time as outlined above. Candidates should ensure that
they give themselves sufficient time to allow for any unforeseen circumstances which may arise and which
may impact on their application form not being received on time.
NOTE:
Applicants are reminded that any attempt by themselves or by any persons acting on their behalf directly or indirectly
by means of written communication or otherwise to canvass or otherwise influence in the applicants favour any
employee of the County Council or persons nominated by the Chief Executive to interview or examine applicants, will
automatically disqualify the applicant for the position they are seeking.
LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER