Child Support Worker - Dublin, Mat Cover

This post holder will be responsible for providing specialist family support in relation to children. The person will take on the role of the case manager in assigned cases and lead on development of relevant supports with specific focus on children needs.

1. Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Participate in all Family Pre-Admission meetings and reviewing all documentation related to Family referrals
• Devise specific support plans (if required) related solely to the children (including appointments to doctors etc) in agreement with the mothers.
• Participate in all Incident reviews, directly related to child welfare/ protection.
• Liaise directly with Social workers/ external family support workers/ Gardai (when required).
• To support families with referrals to appropriate external services.
• Develop community relationships with key supports such as PHN, ELI, Home from home programme etc and make referrals as required
• To accompany service users to appointments when necessary; this may include hospitals, prison, courts etc.
• In conjunction with the management and project team identify a working caseload where more intense family support is required and work proactively with this case load from a case management approach
• The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility may be added over time.
• The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility may be added over time and flexibility to cover for other staff roles is required from time to time.

1. Person Requirements:

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in the homeless sector or similar field
• Experience responding to crisis, knowledge of appropriate actions and use of initiative to support others

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Children First principles
• A qualification in childcare, social work or other related areas would be desirable.
• An understanding of why people become homeless and the issues they experience, particularly in relation to childcare.
• The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• An ability to liaise effectively with other service providers and represent the organisation externally
• An understanding of the statutory and voluntary sector resources available to homeless people

ATTITUDE

• Respect for the vision, mission and values of Depaul
• All tasks should be completed in an accurate manner and supported by a clear electronic and hard copy filing system.
• Proficient use of IT required in role, including email in a professional capacity.

While the line manager is specified above, this does not preclude higher level grades from directing or reviewing work or setting dotted line collaborative working relationships between same or different level positions.

All tasks should be completed in an accurate manner and supported by a clear electronic and hard copy filing system.

WHY WORK FOR US?

Depaul is a cross border charity supporting some of the most marginalised individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it. Would you like to help us to meet our mission?

We are a values led organisation and aim, at all times, to live and breathe these values in our everyday work. Our values are based on four key principles:

• We celebrate the potential of people
• We put our words into action
• We aim to take a wider role in civil society
• We believe in rights and responsibilities