Children's Support Worker

About COPE Galway

COPE Galway has been providing essential social services in Galway for 60 years. We respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, and we support older people towards healthy, independent ageing. Our vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.

COPE Galway is deeply embedded in the Galway community. We are founded on the belief that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve and our community.

Our People

Our People, COPE Galway staff and volunteers, are the driving force behind everything we do. Their passion, commitment, and professionalism enable us to deliver a wide range of services, support more people, and make a real impact in the community.

We have a diverse range of roles, from frontline support workers and social care professionals to catering, community engagement and other professional roles. Each role is crucial in ensuring we deliver our services effectively and make a positive impact in the community.

Working with COPE Galway

Joining our team means you will make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families and individuals we support and contribute to driving meaningful social change in the community. Whether you are a frontline worker directly supporting clients or in an administrative role, you are vital to our efforts to address critical issues like homelessness and domestic abuse and to ensure that older people are valued and supported.

At COPE Galway, we prioritise the development and wellbeing of our people. We offer a supportive work environment, with opportunities for ongoing training, personal and professional growth, and leadership development.

Our Culture

We foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace, where diversity is valued. Our team is united by a shared mission and a genuine passion for empowering people and creating

meaningful change. We take a trauma-informed approach to the way we work and foster this culture in every aspect of the organisation, including a focus on the health and wellbeing of our staff.

Domestic Abuse Service

COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service supports and empowers women, children and young people who are subjected to domestic abuse. Based in Modh Eile House, we offer a range of services including a 24/7 confidential helpline, safe refuge accommodation, outreach services throughout Galway, and court accompaniment. We also provide domestic abuse training and awareness programmes.

Our dedicated children and young peoples service, Solas Óg, provides one-to-one and group therapeutic supports for children and young people up to 25 years, and delivers healthy relationship workshops in schools and youth groups in Galway.

We listen, believe and support women, children and young people on their journey toward a life free from domestic abuse.

Key Areas

Under the direction of the Solas Óg manager / Team Leader you will:

1. Key working / support plan

• As a key worker to a family and as a support to the mother, this will involve creating support plan for the family
• Keep accurate notes and update client file on the client management system
• Be respectful, courteous and patient with mothers at all times and in all circumstances
• Empowering the mother to regain her role as a parent
• Consult and liaise with other voluntary, statutory and professional agencies as appropriate
• Attend case meetings, child protection case conferences, school meetings as needed
• Accompany women to meetings, services as deemed appropriate
• Address issues, concerns and needs which clients may present to you in the course of your dealings with them
• Ensure there is good communication with the family and refuge support workers
• Ensure that any discussions and information pertaining to clients is kept strictly confidential in accordance with COPE Galway policies and GDPR
• Develop support plans in consultation with the mother for her family while engaged with the Service

2. Childrens Service

• In the event of a crisis admission of a child to the service to have a calm approach, as well as carrying out a needs assessment and have the ability to make decisions under stress
• Be vigilant for the signs of physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, emotional or developmental delay; report and record as per procedure
• Attend and contribute at staff meetings and partake in daily handover meetings
• Participate in a flexible and effective roster which will include days, evenings and weekends
• Advocate for the needs of children who experience DVA in house, within COPE Galway and when attending meetings, network meetings etc .
• Assist mothers with everyday practical tasks as required
• Work closely with the wider service team in relation to supporting each family
• Participate in appropriate training events
• Write reports, letters and make child protection referrals
• Ensure that data is collected to populate statistics, for the purpose of applying for grants and annual report information

3. Playroom

• Participate in the day to day running of the childrens service
• Ensuring that the facilities are friendly, warm, inviting and in excellent repair
• Ensure that the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained in the playroom
• Be knowledgeable of the regulations underpinning early years and afterschool service and contribute to their attainment
• Be part of the planning process for activities and group work in the setting and have an ability to implement and evaluate the plans
• Manage the use of the facilities indoor and outdoor to facilitate residents, outreach clients and participants of groups

4. Awareness raising and Group work

• Participate in the facilitation of school workshops in secondary schools if required
• Facilitate, plan, organise and evaluate the childrens / Young peoples support group on occasion
• Liaise with colleges in relation to participating in awareness raising events. This will involve planning, meetings and coordinating information

5. Health and Safety Personal

Employees are obliged to:

• Take reasonable care for their own safety, health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
• Co-operate with their employer in relation to compliance with statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.2005
• Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing safety, health and welfare
• Respect protective clothing and equipment provided for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities
• Report to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace, plant, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger.
• Ensure that you regularly review and proactively inform yourself of all health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basis.
• Be proactive in the area of self-care with regard to identifying any impacts of the work

6. General

• Ensure that Health and Safety policy and procedures as per the COPE Galway Health and Safety Manual are fully adhered to
• Ensure that Health and Safety procedures are understood by workers and residents, and are fully complied with
• Liaise as appropriate in respect of the Health and Safety maintenance requirements of the service, meeting agreed response targets
• Carry out Health and Safety duties specifically allocated to you

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who will ensure that our service is welcoming, supportive to and a safe place for children who visit us or who stay in our refuge.

This role would suit someone who has a commitment to women and children, as well as a proven interest and experience in the area of Domestic Violence and Abuse and will have worked in a refuge or similar type environment.

If you have experience of working with children in a Domestic Abuse service, a relevant qualification and a commitment to our mission, then we would like to hear from you.

Essential Requirements

Education

• A 3rd level qualification in Social Studies or equivalent 3rd level qualification
• Qualified to work in an early years setting or minimum level 5 in Early Childhood Education as per Tusla Early Years requirement

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years experience of working with disadvantaged children and children experiencing problems within their families due to violence or abuse
• Experience of working with children and young people who display challenging behaviours
• Experience of providing parenting support in relation to how best support their children developmentally and emotionally

Skills and Abilities

• To be both flexible and adaptable in approach
• Ability to communicate effectively, particularly with children, young people, their parents on the issues affecting their lives in terms of domestic abuse
• An ability to build positive relations with clients, colleagues, students, volunteers, and other professional agencies
• An ability to act on ones own initiative and make decisions, operating within policy and taking into account views and opinions of colleagues, clients and other service providers
• Good organization skill and diligence in ones approach to work, to follow through with tasks and to maintain records
• An ability to cope with potentially abusive clients and situations
• An ability to manage oneself in a stressful environment and to work effectively in crisis situations
• An ability to maintain and foster a positive outlook and approach
• A full clean driving license
• ICT skill
• Full knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations which inform work with children

Equal Opportunity Employer

COPE Galway is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environments for all our employees.