Project Worker, Family Services Dublin

Contract: Fixed Term & Permanent Contract, Full Time 

Location: Dublin 

At Focus Ireland we have three family services based in Dublin:

• Aylward Green based in Finglas, carries out individual work with families and customers who face chronic exclusion due to their many complex and overlapping needs, supporting temporary and long term accommodation.
• The Family Centre based in Mountjoy works as a team in providing professional services to families who are experiencing homelessness. To provide families with the skills to maintain emergency accommodation and move out of homelessness.
• The Family Homeless Action Team based in the Dublin region, works to assess and support families and individuals during their pathway through homelessness to settlement.

What you will do:

• Undertake assessments and develop/implement support plans with families experiencing homelessness.
• Implement support plans to assist families to Maintain emergency accommodation.
• Liaise and advocate with relevant statutory authorities to support families.
• Manage an allocated caseload and operate triage support service.
• Provide advice, information and advocacy for families experiencing homelessness.
• Identify customers' needs and support the development of the Family Centre service to meet these needs.
• Work within the framework of the overall objectives of Focus Ireland.
• Work with and under the supervision and direction of the line management within the project.
• Make contact with and establish links as appropriate with local services and relevant community groups and to work closely where appropriate with housing providers.
• Respond to phone queries, emails and families presenting to the service seeking support.
• Work within a client-centred approach, encouraging autonomy and independence.
• Be familiar with and comply with all relevant Focus Ireland policies e.g. Child Protection Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Customer Complaints Policy, Health and Safety Policy.
• Maintain accurate records and statistics.
• Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your Line Manager or Health & Safety representative.
• Attend and contribute to Team, Section and Agency meetings as required and engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis with the Manager or Team Leader.

What you will need:

• Relevant third level degree in the area of social care i.e. youth work, social studies, addiction, psychology
• At least 2 years' experience in the social care field working with disadvantaged single people and families
• Experience of supporting marginalised households with high risk and challenging behaviour
• A working knowledge of issues affecting people out-of-home and their impact on people and their physical, emotional and psychological development/status.
• Proven advocacy skills
• Experience of dealing with child protection and welfare responsibilities and responding appropriately to any concerns.
• Experience in carrying out assessments, including risk assessments.
• Experience in developing support plans and carrying out reviews.
• Ability to work on own initiative, working alone and in a team setting
• Ability to display flexibility in the role

                     Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer