Support Worker

Galway Regional Youth Federation CLG T/A Youth Work Ireland Galway, seeks a Support Worker to join the team based in Galway.Job Purpose:The Support Worker holds a caseload of individual service users and their families, acting as named key worker for each. The role identifies each person’s practical support needs, advises on the services and entitlements available to them, and provides one-to-one assistance in accessing them.

The Support Worker advocates on behalf of service users with statutory bodies and service providers, and liaises with the social work, probation and other professionals involved in each case. This is a support role: it carries no statutory decision-making authority and does not involve group programme delivery, personal care or counselling.Key Responsibilities:The Support Worker advises service users and their families on entitlements in relation to social welfare, health, education, training and housing supports, and makes onward referrals to the appropriate services.

The role assists in putting together individual support plans and implements plans prepared by social work, probation and other professionals. Workers are expected to liaise with families, other relevant agencies and attend case conferences and multi-agency meetings as appropriate. All Workers are expected to maintain required documentation and produce reports that comply with the policies and procedures of the establishment and with funder requirements.Qualifications & Experience:- 3rd level qualification (Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree [180 ECTS credits] or above) in social care, social studies, applied social studies, community and family support, addiction studies or another appropriate welfare field, as well as having at least 2 years’ experience in a welfare or support role involving individual casework.- Skills in one-to-one support work, case management and multi-agency working are required for this position.- Knowledge of the social welfare, health and support services landscape and of entitlement criteria is required.- Knowledge of Children First and Child Safeguarding procedures is required.- Excellent IT skills and report writing experience are needed.- Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle for work is necessary for the above post.Remuneration & Working hours:€37,713 gross per annum based on a 35-hour week — including some evening and weekend work, so staff are expected to be flexible in their working arrangements to meet the needs of service users.Candidates will be subject to interview, reference check, and Garda vetting prior to contracts being offered.