IPS Project Worker

Overview

Join to apply for the IPS Project Worker role at Merchants Quay Ireland.

Job Title: Drug and Alcohol Worker in the Irish Prison Service (IPS)
Location: Mountjoy
Reports to: MQI/IPS Treatment & Rehabilitation Coordinator

About This Role

MQI offers non-judgemental, one-to-one and group support to people in prison who use drugs and/or alcohol. The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for individuals impacted by substance use who are within the prison service.

Main Responsibilities

• Individual Support: Work directly with individuals impacted by drug or alcohol use.
• Group Work: Facilitate groups using evidence-based approaches.
• Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the needs of individuals, evaluating their needs and identifying appropriate interventions.
• Key Working: Providing guidance, advocacy, and support.
• Care Plan Development: Collaborate with clients to develop tailored care plans that address their specific needs and goals.
• Case Management: Manage cases by coordinating with various services and monitoring progress to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate supports to achieve the goals set out in care plans.
• Interventions: Provide evidence-based interventions, such as key working, psycho-educational workshops, and therapeutic activities.
• Explore rehabilitation and aftercare supports for people post-release.
• Link with prison staff to support people to access appropriate services.

Administrative Duties

• Client Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, assessments, progress, referrals and discharge summaries using electronic systems.
• Reporting: Prepare regular reports, statistics, and other necessary documentation as required by management.

Compliance & Quality

• Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, security, and health and safety.
• Incident Management: Manage incidents effectively, following protocols and documenting details appropriately.
• Quality Standards: Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services in line with National Standards for Better Safer Healthcare.

Additional Responsibilities

• Meetings & Training: Attend internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities as required.
• Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the manager, contributing to the overall success of the service delivery.

Person SpecificationEssential

• Level 7 qualification in Addiction/Social Care/Social Studies, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field.
• 2 years of frontline experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol.
• Experience in group work.
• Knowledge of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Harm Reduction, CRA, CBT, SMART Recovery).
• Understanding of National Drug & Alcohol Strategy and National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
• Garda Vetting and Prison Security Clearance required (application will be facilitated by MQI).

Desirable

• Accreditation in evidence-based approaches to working with people who use drugs and alcohol (e.g. CRA, CBT, Resonance Factor, SMART Recovery).
• Experience working with people engaged with the criminal justice system.

Salary Scale: 34,960 – 39,214

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Contract: Contract of Indefinite Duration following 6 months probationary period.

Benefits MQI Offer

• Fulfilling and challenging work.
• Sick Pay Scheme.
• Minimum 23 days of annual leave.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months, plus Death in Service benefit).
• Line management supervision.
• Learning and development program.
• Paid family leave (maternity, paternity, parental, adoptive, force majeure, compassionate leave).
• Educational assistance (study and examination leave).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Health & Wellness Programme.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please click the link to apply by the 5th of September 2025.

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