Mental Health Social Work jobs

Social Integration Outreach Support Worker

Cork Simon Community’s Social Integration and Participation Service is an essential part of Cork Simon’s holistic supports package for people who are homeless and exiting homelessness in Cork City. We work with people who have been though major life challenges and trauma, supporting them to overcome barriers to education, work and exclusion. The service provides a sustainable route out of homelessness and empowers people to return to work and live in local communities.

Support, which is trauma informed, is delivered using an empowerment model and a strength’s-based approach. People are offered individually tailored supports to access or re-enter education and training, take up personal development opportunities and build independent living skills. The service offers job coaching supports, job search and interview skills. People are supported to access work experience and employment opportunities through a network of employers in Cork City and County. Once on placement or in employment, the person and the employers are supported during the settling-in period. These suite of supports aim to help people build self-confidence and resilience, and overcome complex life challenges, equipping people to move out of homelessness and maintain permanent and sustainable independent or supported housing.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Cork Simon Community, we truly value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Professional Development: We provide comprehensive induction and ongoing training to support your growth and learning in the role.
• Career Development: Opportunities to progress to other roles across the organisation.
• Well-being Programme: Prioritizing your mental and physical health through various supports.
• Diverse and Inclusive Environment: We foster a culture of inclusion and value diversity in both our team and the wider community.

Your Role as a Social Integration Outreach Support Worker

Cork Simon Community is currently seeking a committed and skilled Social Integration Outreach Support Worker to expand the capacity of our Education, Training and Employment Service.

The purpose of this role is to assertively engage with individuals within the homeless population who have a known history of, or risk factors for, offending behaviour. Through structured education, training, and employment interventions, the role aims to divert individuals away from criminal activity and support them to build stable, meaningful, and sustainable lives within the community.

This is a highly rewarding role offering ongoing learning and professional development, delivered in line with Cork Simon’s values and evidence-informed practice models.

Key Responsibilities include:

· Assertively engage with those among homeless population who are identified as having a history of criminal involvement and/or risk factors for reoffending.

· Liaise with other agencies involved in the provision of homeless services and working with those at-risk of (re)-offending to identify those most in need of intervention and engage with them to identify the most appropriate education, training, or employment pathway.

· Conduct assessments, including risk assessments, and registrations at the point of referral.

· Support the individual to move away from offending behaviour towards a life in recovery.

· Support and develop an individual learning plan for each individual to help them set achievable goals in their personal development plans.

· Facilitate pathways to appropriate support services.

· Develop, coordinate and oversee education opportunities, work related training programmes, work placements and employment opportunities. Facilitate access to these by residents and tenants of Cork Simon Community, and others within the homeless population in Cork.

Essential Requirements

· A recognised third level practice qualification (minimum Level 7 on the NFQ) in one of the following: Education/ Community Development/ Social Care/ Social Work/ Youth Work/ or similar

· A minimum of 3 years experience of working with the Target Group or similar groups

· The role is primarily based in our training facility in Cork City but travel will be required.

· Have experience working with people who have been imprisoned and/or people with addiction, trauma and/or poor mental health in their life.

· Have excellent communication skills, competent in both networking and advocacy, and be a team player,

· Have experience/ qualifications in youth work, social care or equivalent, and have training in child protection, suicide intervention and trauma sensitivity.

How to Apply

Are you ready to make a difference? You can apply by accessing the Recruitment Pack and Application Form below, visiting our website at www.corksimon.ie/work-with-us, or requesting it via email at recruit@corksimon.ie or by phone at 085 874 3435.

To Apply: Complete the job Application Form as detailed above.
Application Deadline: Monday, 10th August 2026 at 5pm.

Cork Simon Community is committed to equality of opportunity.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term

Pay: €39,896.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bike to work scheme
• Company events
• Sick pay
• Wellness program

Experience:

• working with the Target Group: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• B Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person