Mental Health Case Worker

Mental Health Case Worker (Mental Health & Addiction Services:RIGHT SUPPORT; RIGHT TIME)

Remote Working - Frequent travel

Full time 35 hours per week

1 Year Fixed Term Contract with strong possibility of extension

Salary:€37,109.46 per annum

The aim of this role is to promote positive mental wellbeing, increase resilience, and prevent mental and emotional distress in individuals, families, and communities across Dublin and surrounding counties. Delivered through a partnership of voluntary organisations, this initiative supports underserved communities such as those in areas of multiple deprivation, people with disabilities, and refugees. Key objectives include encouraging help-seeking behaviours, creating connected and healthier communities, reducing emotional distress, and developing a trauma‑informed, person‑centred mental health service. The approach includes prevention, self‑help, self‑management, extended brief and specialist interventions, with staff development opportunities through training and knowledge exchanges.

Part of a programme managed by SEUPB and funded by PEACEPLUS.

This role includes staff development opportunities and access to a community of practice to support ongoing professional growth.

• Respond flexibly and positively to changes in requirements; support other services when needed.
• Undertake other projects and tasks to support Depaul's strategic/operational objectives.
• Treat all individuals with courtesy and respect in line with the Dignity at Work Procedure.
• Maintain regular attendance and complete tasks efficiently.
• Take care of your own health and safety and that of others.
• Co-operate with health and safety measures and use work items according to training.
• Follow training and policies when using any work items provided by the employer.
• Engender public confidence and maintain high standards of personal accountability.
• Adhere to all quality assurance policies and procedures.
• Collate monthly and annual monitoring information as required.

The role provides support to individuals with mild/moderate mental health needs to encourage self-help and enable better understanding and management of mental health through prevention and early intervention.

• Offer specialist support to service users through structured assessment and support planning.
• Build professional, empathetic relationships with service users and manage difficult situations in a trauma‑informed, person‑centred way aligned with Depaul's values.
• Assess safety, wellbeing and support needs; develop and deliver high‑standard support plans; support residential services and key workers.
• Establish partnerships with mental health services and facilitate appropriate supports and interventions.
• Work one‑to‑one with service users to enhance agency and choice in managing mental health needs.
• Refer service users to external services and promote user involvement in planning and interventions with external agencies.
• Accompany service users to appointments when necessary (e.g., day services, hospitals, prisons, courts).
• Develop and maintain relationships with mental health services and other support services, including medical, addiction, and local authorities.
• Advocate for psychological/psychiatric assessments when appropriate.
• Provide practical and emotional support during transitions between services and settings.
• Assist with graduation to mainstream care and support during transition periods.
• Promote good mental health and wellness for service users and staff.
• Work with volunteers to facilitate therapeutic time and activities in hostels and promote trauma‑informed environments.
• Engage with service users with dual diagnosis and maintain open access with external agencies.
• Maintain accurate records in line with Depaul policies and GDPR, for monitoring and evaluation.
• Adhere to quality assurance policies and procedures; provide monthly/annual reports as required.

As with all Mental Health Case Worker roles, this project role also includes:

• Designing and delivering small group work training and information sessions.
• Assist with marketing and promotion of RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME using various platforms to ensure accessibility (drop‑in clinics, live web chats, email, and phone referrals).
• Manage caseloads and prioritise workload.
• Provide information and signposting to family members and carers.
• Maintain positive relationships with relevant professionals and partner organisations.
• Collaborate with other RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME colleagues and partner organisations.
• Maintain timely and accurate case notes; provide written and verbal reports as required.
• Work with the Co-ordinator to ensure timely reporting and record keeping.
• Deliver training to clients and service users as required.
• Participate in team meetings and assist in collecting client evaluation feedback.

• A qualification in nursing, social work or related fields would be desirable.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in the homeless sector or a related field, with people requiring mental health support.
• Full valid driver's license and access to a car; travel is required.
• Experience responding to crises with trauma‑informed, person‑centred approaches.
• Experience with intervention models used in homelessness contexts.
• Experience with organisational policies and procedures and GDPR guidelines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to liaise effectively with other service providers and represent the organisation externally.
• Good computer skills, including client management software and cloud applications.
• Flexibility to work hours as required.
• Understanding of homelessness drivers and mental health issues, and relevant intervention models for homelessness.
• Awareness of statutory and voluntary sector resources for homeless people.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity; respect for the organisation's Vision, Mission and Values.

RIGHT SUPPORT: RIGHT TIME

Objective: Promote positive mental wellbeing, increase resilience, and prevent mental and emotional distress in people, families, and communities.

Partnership: Delivered by a collaboration of voluntary organisations across borders, including Inspire, Mencap, Cedar, Apex, Respond, ARC, Depaul, Red Cross, and SCI, with 430 years of combined experience.

Target beneficiaries: People in Northern Ireland and Border counties of Ireland, focusing on underserved communities such as those in areas of deprivation, people with disabilities, and refugees.

Goals:

• Promote help-seeking behaviours
• Create connected, healthier communities
• Reduce emotional distress
• Develop a person-centered, trauma-informed mental health service

Three Elements of Support:

• Prevention, Self‑Help, and Self‑Management: psycho-social group sessions, digital mental health interventions, mindfulness and stress reduction
• Extended Brief and Specialist Interventions: solution-focused interventions, recovery programs, advocacy, counselling, CBT
• Cooperation and Capacity Building: single point of referral, single client management system, shared community of practice

Staff Development: Access to personal and professional development opportunities, training, knowledge exchanges, and reflective practice.

Support: Funded through PEACEPLUS, managed by SEUPB.

Depaul is a cross-border charity supporting some of the most marginalised individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to end homelessness and change lives. We are values-led and aim to live these values in our everyday work: celebrate potential, act on our words, take a wider role in civil society, and uphold rights and responsibilities.

Benefits include:

• Annual leave: up to 25–30 days depending on service length
• Pension (employer matched)
• Health Assistance (health cash plan, including dependents)
• Life Assurance (four times salary)
• Maternity/Adoptive Leave (18 weeks full pay)
• Paternity Leave (2 weeks full pay)
• Sick Leave (entitlements from day 1, subject to policy)
• Employee Assistance Program (24/7 confidential counselling and support)
• Learning and Development opportunities and mandatory training
• Hybrid/flexible working where appropriate

Hybrid/Flexible Working: DePaul supports flexible working, including hybrid and home working, in line with the policy and role requirements.