Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service: Domestic Abuse Senior Social Worker - deadline Friday 8th March
Outline of the position
Working within the Family Support and Crisis Intervention Service or the National Traveller Mental Health Service, in Exchange House Ireland, to provide a comprehensive service response to Traveller families experiencing domestic abuse within the greater Dublin area.
Reporting to
Family Support and Crisis Intervention Service Manager and/or National Traveller Mental Health Service Manager
Main duties
Case Work
- Carry caseload of complex cases requiring a high level of social work competency and expertise in the area of domestic abuse.
- Provide specialist one-to-one emotional and practical support to women experiencing domestic abuse e.g. crisis intervention, safety planning.
- Partner with women experiencing domestic abuse to develop support plans.
- Assist women around legal rights, protection orders, child access and entitlements in relation to housing, health, social welfare etc.
- Accompany women to court and meetings with relevant agencies.
- Provide advocacy with Gardai, Tusla Child and Family Agency, domestic abuse refuges and other relevant agencies.
- Link women with local support services and networks.
- Adhere to procedures outlined in Children First legislation and guidance.
Leadership and Service Development
- Provide support and guidance to colleagues working domestic abuse cases.
- Supervise and support students and newly qualified social workers. Deputise for the Service Manager as appropriate.
- Develop models of evidence-based practice in the area of domestic abuse in line with national policies and strategies and international best practice.
- Review and contribute to the organisations’ policies, procedures, and guidelines to reflect best practice in the area of domestic abuse.
- Coordinate the delivery of domestic abuse initiatives including outreach and preventative interventions.
- Develop and deliver support groups and workshops to engage the community around the issue of domestic abuse.
- Develop strategies for raising awareness around domestic abuse within the community.
Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Work
- Liaise with the Designated Liaison Person in Exchange House Ireland in all matters related to Child Protection and safeguarding.
- Work closely and holistically with other Exchange House Ireland departments.
- Contribute to Exchange House Ireland organisational development as required.
- Develop positive working relationship with all relevant agencies, statutory and voluntary, to promote needs of the Traveller community.
- Contribute and participate in Exchange House Ireland EU projects.
- Attend Conferences and seminars as approved by line manager and CEO.
- Represent the organisation at relevant committees and inter-agency forums.
- Improve the capacity of outside agencies to provide equitable access to their service for the Traveller community.
Record Keeping
- To adhere to the service’s system of record keeping in relation to clients, work records, statistics etc.
- To furnish line manager and CEO with records, statistics as required.
- To provide written reports to line manager or CEO when required.
Other Duties
- To uphold the ethos of Exchange House Ireland, which operates accordingly to the principles of Community Development
- To attend relevant internal and external training
- Participate in documented support and supervision sessions with the Line Manager in accordance with Exchange House Ireland’s policy and guidelines of staff supervision
- Provide cover for other members of staff when required
- To take on other tasks and duties that will further develop the aims and objectives of Exchange House Ireland as requested by the CEO and Board of Management Directors
Person Specification
Qualifications:
- Social Work Qualification
- Must hold current membership of CORU
Experience in the following is essential:
- Experience of report writing and completing assessments
- Experience in working with women experiencing domestic abuse
- Experience of working within a medical/social work/community/statutory work setting
Experience in the following is desirable
- Previous experience of working with the Traveller Community
- Experience of delivering mental health interventions
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge
- Demonstrate knowledge of social work principles and practice (theories and values) particularly around domestic abuse, trauma and relevant policy & practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of community development approach
- Ability to communicate effectively particularly with vulnerable women
- Ability to partner with women to develop and implement support plans.
- Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
- Ability to supervise and support staff as appropriate
- Ability to work in crisis situations
- Ability to motivate individuals to participate
- Ability to work with individuals at various levels and in various positions
- Ability to develop and deliver group work with women around domestic abuse
- Ability to keep accurate records of Social Work intervention
Attributes and Attitude:
- Commitment to Traveller work and Travellers
- Have good interpersonal skills
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Have good time management skills
- Ability to work under pressure and in stressful environments
- Have an ability to work flexibly and with others
Terms and Conditions
Based in
- Exchange House Ireland’s offices on Great Strand Street, Dublin 1, D01 WC97
- Outreach and site work will be a part of this work and as such, access to a car is desirable. This must include full clean license, current NCT, tax and insurance which covers the vehicle for work purposes.
Hours of work
- 35 hours net per week
- Some flexibility may be required on occasion in relation to working hours and travelling.
- Opportunity for hybrid working at manager’s discretion.
Salary:
- 12-Month Fixed Term Contract
- The salary will be as per the HSE’s Senior Social Worker scale [2023] commensurate with qualifications and experience
How to apply
If you feel you are a good fit for Exchange House Ireland, please send your application to info@exchangehouse.ie with the subject line ‘Domestic Abuse Senior Social Worker Application’.
Your application must include a cover letter and up-to-date CV combined and sent in one document
Please keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. In your cover letter, include:
- Why you feel you are a good fit for this role with Exchange House Ireland; and
- Details of your relevant experience
Click here for more information and how to apply