Job Title: Drug and Alcohol Worker in the Irish Prison Service (IPS)
Location: Mountjoy
Reports to: MQI/IPS Treatment & Rehabilitation Coordinator
About this Role:
MQI offers non-judgemental, one-one and group support to people in prison who use drugs and/or alcohol. The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for individuals impacted by substance use who are within the prison service.
Main Responsibilities
Individual Support: Work directly with individuals impacted by drug or alcohol use.
Group Work: Facilitate groups using evidence-based approaches.
Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the needs of individuals, evaluating their needs and identifying appropriate interventions.
Key Working: Providing guidance, advocacy, and support.
Care Plan Development: Collaborate with clients to develop tailored care plans that address their specific needs and goals.
Case Management: Manage cases by coordinating with various services and monitoring progress to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate supports to achieve the goals set out in care plans.
Interventions: Provide evidence-based interventions, such as key working, psycho-educational workshops, and therapeutic activities.
Explore rehabilitation and aftercare supports for people post-release.
Link with prison staff to support people to access appropriate services.
Administrative Duties: Client Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, assessments, progress, referrals and discharge summaries using electronic systems.
Reporting: Prepare regular reports, statistics, and other necessary documentation as required by management
Compliance & Quality: Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, security, and health and safety.
Incident Management: Manage incidents effectively, following protocols and documenting details appropriately.
Quality Standards: Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services in line with National Standards for Better Safer Healthcare.
Additional Responsibilities: Meetings & Training: Attend internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities as required.
Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the manager, contributing to the overall success of the service delivery.
Person Specification
Essential:
Level 7 qualification in Addiction/Social Care/Social Studies, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field.
2 years of frontline experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol.
Experience in group work.
Knowledge of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Harm Reduction, CRA, CBT, SMART Recovery).
Understanding of National Drug & Alcohol Strategy and National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
Garda Vetting and Prison Security Clearance required (application will be facilitated my MQI).
Desirable:
Accreditation in evidence-based approaches to working with people who use drugs and alcohol (e.g. CRA, CBT, Resonance Factor, SMART Recovery).
Experience working with people engaged with the criminal justice system.
Salary Scale: 34,960 – 39,214
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Contract: Contract of Indefinite Duration following 6 months probationary period.
Benefits MQI Offer:
Fulfilling and challenging work.
Sick Pay Scheme.
Minimum 23 days of annual leave.
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months, plus Death in Service benefit).
Line management supervision.
Learning and development program.
Paid family leave (maternity, paternity, parental, adoptive, force majeure, compassionate leave).
Educational assistance (study and examination leave).
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Health & Wellness Programme.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please click the link to apply by the 5th of September 2025 /merchants-quay-ireland/jobs/32778/ips-project-worker-dublin