Youth Engagement and Participation Worker

Youth Engagement and Participation Worker

EPIC is seeking a dedicated youth engagement and participation worker to work with care-experienced children and young people.

Job Purpose

EPIC is seeking a dedicated youth engagement and participation worker with a strong background in youth work, youth advocacy, or social care. This role is central to empowering care-experienced children and young people- those currently being cared for by Tusla or who have left care – to have their voices heard through meaningful participation and engagement. 

The successful candidate will support young people to actively shape the services and policies that affect their lives, while also facilitating participation in a wide range of activities, programmes, and youth work groups. These may include creative projects, peer-led initiatives, community-based programmes, international programmes and other opportunities that promote personal development, connection, community and leadership. 

Main Responsibilities 

Facilitate inclusive and meaningful engagement and participation opportunities for care-experienced young people to influence policy and shape services.Support the development and sustainability of the EPIC care community locally and nationally through collaboration, peer support, and shared learning.Promote youth involvement in the design, delivery, and evaluation of EPIC youth participation programmes.Recruit and support members of the EPIC National Youth Council, ensuring their active engagement in advocacy at local, national, and global levels.Source or provide bespoke training to EPIC Youth Council Members. Support young people in public speaking and campaign participation to raise awareness of inequities and injustices within the care system, and to influence related government policies by engaging key stakeholders, including government departments and agenciesCreate opportunities for young people that are empowering, informative and amplify their voices. Engage with young people using a youth work/youth participatory approach in special care and Oberstown Detention Campus.Employ non-formal youth work methodologies, including structured group work and long/short-term programmes.Organise recreational and non-formal activities and meet ups to foster connection and engagement of care experienced young people.Maintain accurate project records and contribute to regular reporting and evaluation.Collaborate with other agencies and services working with young people.Liaise with the National Advocacy Service team and refer young people to them, where appropriate.Develop a regular meet up space for young people under 18 and over 18Adhere to EPIC’s policies and guidelines. 

Additional Responsibilities

Deliver information sessions on EPIC’s Advocacy Service and EPIC’s other areas of work.Develop and support opportunities to participate and engage in individual and group projects.Collaborate with other EPIC teams and departments as needed.Participate in team meetings, online and in-person, and provide updates as required.Participate as part of the EPIC team ensuring the values of the organisation are always upheld.Participate in regular supervision with your line manager.Be vigilant to any child protection risks, health and safety risks, and data protection risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to designated officers and/or your line-manager.Undertake other duties as may be required to meet organisational objectives. 

Skills and Experience

Essential 

Third level qualification in a relevant area such as youth work, community development, or equivalent.A minimum of two years’ experience working with children and young people in youth work /participation/community engagement or similar roles.Experience of working with and engaging children and young people who are seldom heard.Knowledge and understanding of child and youth participation theories and methodologies.Experience in developing new initiatives and projects using a variety of youth work approaches.Proven track record of project/programme development and management.Excellent facilitation and written communications skills and an ability to write for and communicate with a variety of audiences including children and young people.Proficient IT skills and ability to adapt to new digital tools quickly.Full clean driving licence and access to a car.Willingness to travel between EPIC’s regional offices as required. 

Desirable 

Knowledge of the care sector, youth work sector, education sector, Erasmus programme and youth justice systems.Experience working in partnerships and collaborative environments.Understanding and commitment to social justice.Experience in developing training materials.Familiarity with Microsoft applications. Experience of a blended working environment. 

Attitude 

Commitment to the values and mission of EPIC.Collaborative working style while comfortable working on own initiative in a small and busy team.Flexibility to carry out regular evening and occasional weekend work as required.Ability to take ownership and manage workload to meet deadlines.Commitment to ongoing professional development and keeping up to date on best practice within the child and youth sector.Commitment to and understanding of a working environment that promotes equal opportunities and has regard for race and ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, or gender identity and equality. 

Please note 

EPIC, Empowering People in Care, believes in the value of a diverse workforce and encourages applications from people from all ethnic, cultural, religious, and social backgrounds. We also welcome candidates with care experience.

The job description attached does not define all responsibilities within the role but offers a detailed overview of the role. It is envisaged that the post-holder will be flexible in using their own initiative to develop the role in line with the objectives and mission of EPIC and the needs of the children and young people they will be working with. 

Terms 

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), with a six-month probationary period. 

Annual leave entitlement of 25 day per annum, increasing to 27 days after 2 years’ service. In addition to annual leave, the office is closed for one day at Easter and three days at Christmas. 

Participation in the company pension scheme is matched by a 5% Employer contribution on completion of the probationary period. 

This role will be flexible in line with EPIC’s current hybrid working model – requiring office-based work and some remote work – within the working hours of the organisation.

This post will involve travel within Ireland and have regular evening and occasional weekend work. Travel expenses and additional hours will be compensated in accordance with EPIC’s Mileage and TOIL Policies. 

The post holder will undertake training on Children First (Tusla e-learning programme) and abide at all times by this and by EPIC’s policies on child protection and welfare. 

All roles within EPIC are subject to Garda Vetting. 

Location: Dublin 

Closing Date for applications: 5:00 pm, Monday 29th September 2025. 

Salary: Salary scale applicable €40,000 per annum to €51,706 per annum (8-point scale). 

---