Solas Óg Relief worker

Job Title: Relief Children's Support Worker (rcsw)

Date of Issue: September 2024

Reporting to: Solas Og manager/ Head of Domestic Abuse

Location:  COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service

Vision and Mission of COPE Galway

COPE Galway's vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life. Our missions is making a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities.  

Outcomes

COPE Galway recognises the particular vulnerabilities faced by women and children who experience intimate partner abuse, and works both to support those who fall victim to such abuse, as well as striving to challenge societal norms and attitudes which allow domestic abuse to continue. Cope Galway's Domestic Abuse Service offers support to women who reside within the Refuge at Modh Eile House, as well as to many more who live in the community and receive support in their locality; we also work with children and young people who have been exposed to violence and abuse in the home. 

Overall Objectives:

COPE Galway Domestic Abuse service (CGDAS) offers emotional and practical support for women and their children leaving an abusive relationship. It offers accommodation for women and their children in need of safety while they look at they support needs and future. There is a dedicated children's service that offers support to children using the service and to their mothers through a key working system. The children's service engages in training and awareness sessions with schools, other professionals and with group work for children in the community. The outreach service offers support and court accompaniment to women experiencing DVA in Galway city and county.

Key Areas:

Under the direction of the Solas Og manager and Head of the domestic abuse service you will:

Playroom:

• Participate in the day to day running of the children's service
• Ensuring that the facilities are friendly, warm, inviting and in good repair.
• Ensure that high standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained in the playroom.
• Knowledgeable of the regulations underpinning early years and afterschool service and your role within those regulations.
• Be part of the planning process for activities and group work in the setting and have an ability to implement and evaluate the plans.
• Manage the use of the facilities indoor and outdoor to facilitate residents, outreach clients and participants of groups.

Children's service:

• In the event of a crisis admission to have a calm approach, as well as carrying out a needs assessment and have the ability to make decisions under stress.
• Be vigilant for the signs of physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, emotional or developmental delay. Report and record as per procedure.
• Participate in a flexible and effective roster which will include days, evenings and weekends.
• Assist mothers with everyday practical tasks as required.
• Work closely with the wider service team in relation to supporting each family.
• Participate in appropriate training events
• Ensure that data is collected to populate statistics, for the purpose of applying for grants and annual report information.

Health and Safety

Personal:

Employees are obliged to:

•  Take reasonable care for their own safety, health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
•  Co-operate with their employer in relation to compliance with statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.2005
•  Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing safety, health and welfare
•  Respect protective clothing and equipment provided for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities
•  Report to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace, plant, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger.
•  Ensure that you regularly review and proactively inform yourself of all health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basis.
•  Be proactive in the area of self-care with regard to identifying any impacts of the work

General

•  Ensure that Health and Safety policy and procedures as per the COPE Galway Health and Safety Manual are fully adhered to.
•  Ensure that Health and Safety procedures are understood by workers and residents, and are fully complied with.
•  Liaise as appropriate in respect of the Health and Safety maintenance requirements of the service, meeting agreed response targets.
•  Carry out Health and Safety duties specifically allocated to you.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The ideal candidate will have a proven interest and experience in the area of Domestic Violence and Abuse and will have worked in a similar type of service

If you have experience in working with children experiencing difficulties relating to domestic abuse (minimum one year), a relevant qualification and a commitment to our mission, then we would like to hear from you.

Essential Requirements:

Education:

• A 3rd level qualification in Early Years, childcare or relevant qualification (Minimum requirement of Fetac Level 5)

Experience:

• Experience of working with disadvantaged children and children experiencing problems within their families due to violence or abuse.
• Experience of working with children and young people who display challenging behaviors.
• Experience of supporting mothers who need guidance in relation to how best support their children developmentally and emotionally

Skills and Abilities:

•  To be both flexible and adaptable in approach
•  An ability to build positive relations with clients, colleagues, students, volunteers, and other professional agencies.
•  An ability to act on one's own initiative and make decisions, taking into account views and opinions of colleagues, clients and other service providers
•  Ability to be organised in one's approach to work, to follow through with tasks  and to maintain records.
•  An ability to cope with potentially abusive clients and situations.
•  An ability to manage oneself in a stressful environment and to work effectively in crises
• An ability to maintain and foster a positive outlook and approach

Desirable Requirements:

•  Previous experience of working in the area of Violence against Women and Children
•  Good working knowledge of Computers
•  Training in Children's First Guidelines
•  Full clean driver's license