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Job Title

Key Worker (1.0 WTE), 2 Vacancies

Department

Estuary Way

Applications considered Via

Application Form Only – Please note CV’s alone will not be accepted

Application form available on our website - careers section, at: https://childhood-matters.ie/

Applications to be sent by post to HR Dept, Childhood Matters, Blackrock, Cork, T12CRA0

Or email to recruitment@childhood-matters.ie

Opening date for Applications

14th July 2026

Closing Date for Applications

27th July at 9am

Proposed Interview date(s)

Interviews dates to be decided

may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources

Location of Post

Childhood Matters, Estuary Way, Mahon.

Tenure

The current vacancy available is a permanent, Whole-Time post 1.0

Remuneration

Social Care Leader, HSE Consolidated Payscale 2024 ,
54,699

Working Week

Working hours are: 37.5 and flexibility to undertake additional hours when reasonably required.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent (37.5 hours per week) of this post is: 25 days pro rata

Probation

A 6-Month Probation Period applies to this post

Additional Benefits

• Defined contribution pension scheme.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit
• Additional Annual leave days
• Comprehensive annual CPD schedule
• Financial support for further education
• Staff parking

Who we are:

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving developmental and life outcomes for children 0-18 years old. We also work directly with parents and foster carers to support and develop parenting in challenging contexts. As an organisation we strive to positive impact the wider professional network we operate within through external training, research and professional development opportunities.

We are committed to embedding an evidence-based culture of trauma-informed care and therapeutic practice and hold ourselves to high standards in all engagement with service users, colleagues and stakeholders alike. We are committed to research and evaluation and continually assess the effectiveness of our service through independent research and partnership with third level institutions. We strive to be a positive place to work, providing staff with reflective practice, regular supervision and a training budget.

With offices and services in Blackrock, Blackpool, Clonakilty and Farranree we employ 130 staff across all departments. We offer competitive salary packages as well as benefits including enhanced maternity leave; pension contribution scheme; health care plans; flexible working hours; internal and externally provided training opportunities, and competitive annual leave entitlement.

Details of Service

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

· Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

· CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

· Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

· The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

· Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

· Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 10-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety (EPOS) and Aftercare is incorporated into this project

· Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

· Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

· Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long-term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

· Estuary Way: A new trauma-informed supported accommodation service providing integrated housing and wraparound supports for young adults transitioning to independent living.

· Child Court Advocate: Independent advocacy and court accompaniment service supporting children and young people to navigate legal proceedings in a safe, child-centered, and trauma-informed manner.

Purpose of Role:

To provide intensive, consistent key working support to residents with higher support needs, ensuring continuity of relationship, coordinated support planning and active engagement with the therapeutic programme.

Reporting Relationship

Deputy Manager, Estuary Way

Duties and Responsibilities

• Hold a designated key working caseload with enhanced contact frequency.
• Coordinate each resident's support plan across the MDT, education/training pathways and external services.
• Accompany and advocate for residents at appointments (health, welfare, housing, legal).
• Lead engagement strategies for residents who are reluctant or inconsistent in engagement, using flexible, creative and peer-informed approaches.
• Support move-on and resettlement, including viewings, grants, utilities and community linkage.
• Maintain standardised case files and contribute to reviews and KPI data.
• Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be assigned, consistent with the grade and purpose of the post. This job description will be reviewed during the pilot phase as the service develops.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

· Relevant qualification in social care, youth work, community work or related field (minimum Level 7).

· Substantial experience in key working, case management or intensive support roles.

· Strong engagement skills with young people who have experienced trauma or service disengagement.

· Full clean driving licence desirable for resettlement support (or access to suitable transport arrangements).

Person Requirement

· Experience in homeless, aftercare or youth justice services.

· Knowledge of housing and welfare systems (HAP, social housing applications, SWA).

Pay: €54,699.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Company pension
• Employee assistance program
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Cork, County Cork: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Advanced/Higher Certificate (required)

Language:

• English (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person