Solas Óg Development Officer

Job Title              Solas Óg Development Officer Reporting to      Children’s Service Coordinator / Service Manager Location              COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service Overall ObjectivesCOPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, provides support to around 700 women and their children each year. Those who use our service are women either at risk from an abusive partner or who have suffered abuse at the hands of a partner in the past.   Our role is to provide a safe space for each woman and her children and then to assist her in exploring options and making decisions which will lead to a better life. The Service offering is composed of a number of strands:Refuge – Recently re-located to a purpose-built nine-bed refuge. The refuge provides short-term emergency shelter to any woman who is at risk, who is in danger and for whom no other place of safety can immediately be found. The emphasis in refuge is on safety and allowing each woman calm and time to consider her next steps.Outreach – working with women who continue to live in the community in their homes and who do not avail of refuge, whether by appointment or drop-in. COPE Galway offer outreach provision in Galway City and at various locations in Galway County, and most service users opt to engage in this way.Children’s Service – this Domestic Abuse Service offers a dedicated Children’s Service, working with mothers and children, to manage the impact of abuse and to support in healing and the building of resilience.Accompaniment – women using our Service often seek support in attendance at court, engagement with legal aid or legal support, engagement with other agencies, eg, Intreo, local housing authorities, etc.Training & Awareness – we are committed to addressing the causes of abuse within our community and to challenging the societal norms that can appear to make abuse acceptable. This is done through our Training & Awareness programme, providing training to statutory and voluntary agencies as well as working with schools, colleges and community partners.Research and Innovation – we are committed to understanding the issue of domestic abuse and to developing preventative approaches as well as initiatives that offer better responses to victims. We engage actively with opportunities to grow our expertise through research and innovation.Advocacy – COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service operates from a rights-based approach, and espousing a principle of empowerment. Our work involves advocating with and for each woman, to advance her own case, in addition to providing a voice for women in respect of shared issues. Key AreasUnder the direction of the Children’s Service Coordinator and Service Manager you will: Schools work:Maintain and update as required our secondary school programme specifically for the junior cycle in relation to Healthy and Un healthy relationships in line with the current SPHE curriculumOver see the delivery of the school programme with the education team.Liaise with schools in relation to promoting the programme and booking workshopsDevelop resources to support the programme such as leaflets and other promotional materialsMonitor and evaluate development of the programme in schools,Prepare monthly progress reports to show progress Group work programmesLiaise with the Solas Óg team and coordinator in relation to developing a suite of group work programmesLiaise with the Solas Óg team to gather the current resources used in the one to one work to develop a working resource library.Design and develop the unique programmes in consultation with the Solas Óg teamDesign and develop all promotional materials relating to the programme Suite of bookletsLiaise with the Solas Óg team and coordinator in relation to developing a suite of booklets for children and young people.Design and develop the unique BookletsDesign and develop all promotional materials relating to the booklets  Health and Safety PersonalEmployees 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, 1989.2005Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing safety, health and welfareRespect protective clothing and equipment provided for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activitiesReport 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   Person Specification We are looking for someone who will work with the Solas Óg coordinator and team to develop the following areas of workA school programme for junior cycle students in relation to Healthy and Un healthy relationships.Group work programmes for children and young people.A suite of booklets for children and young people This role would suit someone who has experience in developing programmes of work and with experience in design of promotional materials. We are looking for someone who is creative in thought and design and who can work both alone and within a team. If you have experience of working in the area of programme development and design, we would love to hear from you.  Essential RequirementsEducationBA in a related field ExperienceExperience of working in the education sectorExperience in the design and development of booklets, leaflets and support materials Skills and AbilitiesTo be both flexible and adaptable in approachAbility to communicate effectively, with colleagues, students, volunteers, and other professional agenciesAn ability to act on one’s own initiative and make decisions, take into account the views and opinions of colleagues, clients and other service providersGood organization skill and diligence in one’s approach to work, to follow through with tasks An ability to maintain and foster a positive outlook and approachA full clean driving licenseExcellent ICT skillTerms: Contract: 15 month fixed term contractSalary: Social Care Scale (2021 scale)Hours: 35 hours per weekAnnual leave: 24 days Location: Onsite and travel to various schools when requiredBenefits:   Supportive team environment  Career development opportunity Pension scheme Company events and team building  Employee Assistance program Trauma informed Practice approach to all areas within COPE Galway Bike to work scheme