Domestic Violence - Outreach Support Worker (Part-Time/Maternity Cover)

Role Overview

The Outreach Support Worker is responsible for providing a comprehensive community outreach service to individuals and families experiencing domestic abuse. The Outreach Support Worker will deliver post-refuge support to residents returning home or relocating, provide one-to-one case management and facilitate group programmes, and support families transitioning into safe houses while linking former residents with appropriate community-based services. The role also contributes to the delivery and development of domestic violence and abuse awareness training, provides prevention and early intervention support within the community, and actively networks to strengthen referral pathways and raise awareness of domestic violence and available supports.

• Part-Time, Specified Purpose role for the purpose of covering the maternity leave.

• This role is part of the Outreach, Prevention and Training Team.

• Salary: €22,547 per annum.

• Hours of work: 20 hours per week (Monday-Friday).

• Location: Central Office - Tallaght/Dublin.

• Probation: 6 months.

• Commitment to work–life balance and staff wellbeing.

Employee Benefits

• Pension: The company contributes 7% of an employee’s annual salary into the employee’s Pension following completion of the probation period.

• Annual leave: As an employee of SDVS, you will receive 25 Days of annual leave pro rata.

• Company Day: At SDVS, Good Friday is offered as an additional day off.

• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme: SDVS have an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme in place where employees can apply to purchase an additional week’s annual leave each year.

• Wedding Leave: We offer employees with 1 years’ service who are getting married, an additional 1 day paid leave for their wedding.

• Paid Sick leave: We operate a paid scheme leave scheme upon successful completion of probation period.

• Paid Maternity leave: SDVS top up an employee’s salary to 100% for the period of Statutory Maternity Leave. Employees are eligible after completion of 1 year of service, on the date they go on maternity leave.

• Doctor visits: Employee well-being is important to us at SDVS. We offer employees €35 contribution towards 1 GP visits per year.

• Digital Doctor: Free access to a digital doctor for employees and their families.

• Education Support: At SVDS we offer an Education Assistance policy for employees to apply for funding towards further education.

• Training & Development: Access to excellent training opportunities and continuous professional development.

• Well-being App: All employees have access to the Wisdom app to support employees in all 4 pillars of their well-being.

• EAP: We offer a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for employees and their families to avail of counselling support confidentially.

• Wellbeing Days: We host several employee wellbeing activities across the year for employees to take time out to focus on team building and their own wellbeing.

• To support women who have been subjected to domestic violence at a safe and suitable location, listen and provide psycho educational and emotional support around their experiences of domestic violence. 

• To provide support, assistance and advocacy to clients on practical matters including court, and other rights and entitlements in line with DVA practices. 

• To develop and deliver structured care plans with clients, through planned support sessions and encouraging active participation from clients in leading their own care plans and making choices for their safety. 

• To assist and support women to remain in their homes where safe, including safety planning and risk assessment in collaboration with external services. 

• To deliver and develop SDVS Domestic Violence and Abuse Awareness training to a professionally high standard- qualification essential. 

• To work according to company policies and best practice at all times.  

• To maintain and update accurate records of all files and any associated paperwork, including updating the database notes, in a timely and professional manner. 

Networking

• To liaise with other agencies in aiding and supporting to adult and child victims and survivors of DVA and make referrals as necessary and where appropriate to external services.  

• The ability to enhance relationships for the purpose of future training and collaboration. 

Administration 

• Maintain accurate and up to date records of all case files using our E-safe database. 

• Liaise with and inform the Manager and/or other designated persons, on a regular basis, of issues arising from work 

• Prepare and compile departmental statistics.  

Other 

• Work as part of a team, liaising with other staff in relation to services for women/children/families. 

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients and colleagues. 

• Promote the philosophy of self- help and mutual aid. 

• Attend court hearing and give evidence as required.  

• Work under the direction and guide of the Manager or other Designated Officer to ensure the highest possible level care is maintained at all times. 

• Perform such duties appropriate to the post, which may be assigned by the Manager or other Designated Officer. 

• Ensure standards are maintained and adhered to in line with policy, procedure and legislation. 

• Access the designated person on call when required in line with policy and Children’s First Legislation. 

• Participate in the provision of services as part of the Saoirse team. 

• Engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis.

   

 This is not an exhaustive job description. Full job description available in our recruitment pack.

About you

• Third level Qualification at degree level in social care, social science or related field.  

• A minimum of 3 years relevant experience working in a social care setting with women/ families. 

• QQI Training qualification or similar, combined with 2 years’ experience delivering training in the community. 

• Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of domestic violence. 

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the challenges and issues affecting women and children experiencing domestic violence. 

• Understanding and working knowledge of Domestic Violence Act/Children’s First Legislation/Child Care Act. 

• Risk assessment/Safety and Care planning knowledge is essential. 

Skills 

• Excellent facilitation training and communication skills. 

• Excellent report writing skills. 

• Excellent organizational skills. 

• IT packages and Database skills. 

• Ability to lone work safely. 

The person MUST also demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• Passion to eradicate violence against women and children. 

• Flexibility/Adaptability. 

• Self-Motivation/ Initiative.  

• Self-sufficiency.  

• Empathy. 

• Experience of inter-agency working. 

• Full driving license and access to own transport. 

Experience 

• Experience of dynamic and complex case management. 

• Providing training with an accredited qualification. 

• Individual client work and group work. 

• Experience working in the community. 

• Networking and relationship building with stakeholders in the community. 

• Domestic violence advocacy.