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Job Title: Child Court Advocate

Department : Children & Family Services

Applications considered Via: Application form only – CV’s will not be accepted

Application form available at https://childhood-matters.ie/careers/

Opening date for Applications: 11th February, 2026

Closing Date for Applications : 12pm, 29th of June, 2026

Proposed Interview date(s): TBD

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

Location of Post: Waterford

Remuneration : The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is: Senior Social Work Grade (HSE Consolidated Payscale October 2024 starting €59,639)

Working Week: Contract: Full-time or .8 WTE

The standard working week applying to the whole time equivalent of this post is: 37.5 hours.

Annual Leave: The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata

Probation : A probationary period of 6 months will apply

Additional Benefits

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

CHILD COURT ADVOCATE

Role Purpose

The Children’s Court Advocate is a specialist, child-centred role within the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot, designed to support children involved in private family law proceedings to understand the court process and to express their views in a manner that is safe, voluntary and developmentally appropriate.

The role is grounded in children’s rights, trauma-informed practice, and the Lundy Model of Participation. It is not a therapeutic role, not a forensic assessment function, and not adversarial advocacy. The Advocate’s responsibility is to ensure that the child’s voice is supported and conveyed clearly and accurately, without influence, interpretation, or recommendation.

This is a senior practitioner role requiring significant professional judgement, discretion, and confidence operating within a court-adjacent environment.

Reporting Relationship

The successful candidate will report to the Senior Child Court Advocate

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Direct Work with Children

Engage directly with children involved in private family law proceedings, providing clear, age-appropriate information about court processes, roles, and what to expect

• Support children to decide if and how they wish their views to be shared with the court
• Facilitate children to express their views using developmentally appropriate methods, including written formats, visual tools, or other child-preferred mediums
• Ensure the child’s views are captured accurately, respectfully, and without interpretation or influence

Court-Related Practice

Prepare and submit materials conveying the child’s views for court, in line with agreed protocols

• Where appropriate, support children who wish to meet a judge, including preparation and accompaniment
• Maintain clear professional boundaries in all interactions with parents, legal representatives, and the judiciary

Professional Standards & Safeguarding

Work at all times in accordance with Children First, organisational safeguarding policies, and relevant legislation

• Identify, assess, and appropriately escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns through agreed governance structures
• Exercise high levels of professional judgement in complex, high-conflict, or emotionally charged situations

Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in line with data protection and project requirements

Recording, Reporting & Evaluation

Contribute to anonymised service data, learning, and evaluation processes as required by the Department of Justice

• Engage in reflective practice, supervision, and continuous professional development

Team & Service Contribution

Participate in supervision, team learning, and service development activities

• Contribute constructively to the evolution of practice guidance, materials, and protocols as the pilot develops
• Represent Childhood Matters professionally and consistently in all external interactions

Health & Safety

· Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate:

A minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience working directly with children

• Significant experience working with children in complex, sensitive, or high-conflict contexts
• A strong understanding of child development, children’s rights, and trauma-informed practice
• Excellent communication skills with children across a range of ages and developmental stages
• The ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgement, and manage emotionally demanding work
• High standards of professionalism, discretion, and ethical practice
• Eligibility for Garda Vetting and compliance with Children First requirements

Desirable Criteria

Experience of court-related, legal, or court-adjacent work

• Knowledge of family law processes or systems impacting children
• Experience supporting children with additional needs or communication differences
• Strong written skills and experience preparing professional reports or materials
• Familiarity with rights-based participation models (e.g. Lundy Model)

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications

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

· A recognised professional qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Social Work, Social Care, Psychology, Teaching, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy)

Why This Role Matters

This role places the postholder at the centre of a nationally significant pilot shaping how children’s voices are supported within the family justice system in Ireland. It offers the opportunity to contribute to systemic change while working within a carefully governed, clinically informed service model.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From €59,639.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person