Outreach Support Worker - Connemara

Job Title:                         Outreach Support Worker (Connemara) – 18.5 hours, to be determinedDate of Issue:               October 2024Responsible to:                Outreach Services ManagerLocation:                          North-West Connemara and The Islands / Modh Eile House Vision and Mission of COPE GalwayCOPE Galway’s vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.We work to achieve this vision by providing essential supports for people at challenging times in their lives, and by advocating for systemic change to remove the root causes of inequality and disadvantage that constrain the wellbeing and development of individuals, families and communities. The mission of COPE Galway is to make a positive difference by empowering people, creating change, and strengthening communities.  Service OverviewCOPE Galway recognises the particular vulnerabilities faced by women and children who experience intimate partner abuse and works both to support those who are victims 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. Our clients are supported through a trauma informed lens.  The RoleThis role will enable us to expand our services reach within North West Connemara and the Islands, covering such areas as but is not limited to Barna, An Spidéal, Iverin Carraroe, Carna, Roundstone, Clifden, the Aran Islands and Inishbofin. The role will involve being innovative and proactive in ways of raising awareness and promoting zero tolerance of domestic abuse whilst building service capacity in local communities. This will be assisted through the development of positive relations with community, voluntary and statutory supports. The role will also entail providing initial and ongoing support to victims/survivors of abuse and maintaining a client case load. Fluent Irish language will be required for this role. Potential for this role to be combined with Galway City outreach post should all the criteria be met for both posts. Duties and responsibilities To support women who have been subjected to domestic abuse by listening and providing emotional and practical supports around their experiences of domestic abuse To raise awareness and advocate for Zero Tolerance of domestic abuse in local communitiesExpand and develop the service’s reach To advocate for the rights of clients when and where neededTo work with a woman to assess their safety needs and develop appropriate safety plans in responseTo support and accompany women to court as requiredTo manage a case load, diary and locations in relation to appointmentsTo network and develop links with local service providers relevant to clients’ situations including, Gardai, court & legal services, statutory and voluntary community supports To always observe and enforce a policy of strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of the serviceTo maintain and update accurate records of all files and any associated documentation, in a timely and professional mannerTo liaise and work cooperatively with the other teams, including the Children and Young Person service, Solas Óg, the outreach team and the refuge team, around family supports, court referrals and follow up needed, in an inclusive communication styleTo attend regular case management and supervision meetings with the Outreach manager To attend and support awareness raising events as required Contribution to COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service Attend all mandatory training, be pro-active with your own training and development and attend any other training as requested by your line managerAttend and contribute to all team meetings, as directedWork in accordance with the policies and procedures of the service, and bring any difficulties to the attention of your line manager, including working on the further development of policy and procedure, as appropriate Work within the ethos and philosophy of the service at all timesEnsure that all support to clients is appropriate and in accordance with COPE Galway policy guidelines Health & SafetyCo-operate with your 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 the safety, health and welfare of employeesRespect 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 dangerEnsure to regularly review and proactively stay informed of all health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basisTake reasonable care for your own safety, health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissionsBe proactive in the area of self-care with regard to identifying any impacts of the work  Essential RequirementsA minimum of two years direct work experience with victims of domestic abuseMinimum NFQ Level 7 qualification supportive of the roleDemonstrable knowledge & understanding of the causes and impact of domestic abuse Demonstrable experience in fostering positive relationships Fluent Irish language Excellent organisational skills, including in the use of ICT Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the capacity to prepare reports, file notes, correspondence to a high standardFully flexible and a willingness to meet the demands of the roleFull, clean driving licence and access to own transportSelf-motivated and ability to work on own initiative  Knowledge·       Knowledge of the dynamics of abuse and its impact on women and children Knowledge of the role of power and control within an abusive relationship and how theories of power and control can be utilised to empower a womanKnowledge of the legal provision in place to support a victim/survivor of domestic abuseKnowledge and an understanding of the impact of trauma and knowledge / experience of working with women who are so impactedKnowledge of a broad range of issues including mental health, addictions, relationship and family breakdown, poverty and social exclusionA commitment to feminist principles in the practice of working on violence against women A commitment to striving for zero tolerance of DSGBVA high degree of cultural competency, with knowledge of the impact of domestic abuse as it pertains to women from minority backgroundsCompetent in the collection, collation and analysis of information, whether through paper-based systems or ICT-based systems  Terms of EmploymentContract: 1 year Fixed Term ContractHours: 18.5 hoursAnnual leave: 24 days pro rataSalary Scale: COPE Galway Social Care Scale (with qualifications) Point 1 of 12Salary: €36,392 per annum pro rata (18.5 hours €18195 annually and €18.91 per hour)