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 mission 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 to support those who fall victim to such abuse while striving to challenge societal norms and attitudes that allow domestic abuse to continue. COPE Galway's Domestic Abuse Service offers support to women residing 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 provides accommodation for women and their children in need of safety while they assess their support needs and future. There is a dedicated children's service that offers support to children using the service and their mothers through a key working system. The children's service engages in training and awareness sessions with schools, other professionals, and group work for children in the community. The outreach service offers support and court accompaniment to women experiencing domestic violence and abuse 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.
* Ensure that the facilities are friendly, warm, inviting, and in good repair.
* Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the playroom.
* Be knowledgeable of the regulations underpinning early years and afterschool services and your role within those regulations.
* Participate in the planning process for activities and group work in the setting and 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, maintain a calm approach and conduct a needs assessment, making decisions under stress.
* Be vigilant for 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, including days, evenings, and weekends.
* Assist mothers with everyday practical tasks as required.
* Work closely with the wider service team to support each family.
* Participate in appropriate training events.
* Ensure that data is collected to populate statistics for grant applications and annual report information.
Health and Safety:
Personal:
* Take reasonable care for your own safety, health, and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions.
* Cooperate with your 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 that may lead to danger.
* Regularly review and proactively inform yourself of all health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basis.
* Be proactive in self-care regarding 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 regarding 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 Domestic Violence and Abuse and will have worked in a similar type of service. If you have experience 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.
Education:
* A third-level qualification in Early Years, childcare, or a relevant qualification (Minimum requirement of Fetac Level 5).
Experience:
* Experience working with disadvantaged children and children experiencing problems within their families due to violence or abuse.
* Experience working with children and young people who display challenging behaviors.
* Experience supporting mothers needing guidance on how best to support their children developmentally and emotionally.
Skills and Abilities:
* Flexible and adaptable in approach.
* Ability to build positive relationships with clients, colleagues, students, volunteers, and other professional agencies.
* Ability to act on one's own initiative and make decisions, considering the views and opinions of colleagues, clients, and other service providers.
* Organized in one's approach to work, following through with tasks and maintaining records.
* Ability to cope with potentially abusive clients and situations.
* Ability to manage oneself in a stressful environment and work effectively in crises.
* Ability to maintain and foster a positive outlook and approach.
* Previous experience working in the area of Violence against Women and Children.
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