FamiliBase: Child and Family Workers x 2

FamiliBase: Child and Family Workers x 2

Two Child and Family Worker Positions

FamiliBase is recruiting for two Child and Family Worker positions: an Intensive Family Support Worker – Hidden Harm (full-time; Ref: Hidden Harm 2026) and a Young Parent Support Programme (YPSP) Worker (28-hour contract; Ref: YPSP 2026). The job description and essential criteria for each position are set out separately below.

FamiliBase is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation with charitable status, supporting children, young people and families in Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10. Our integrated 'One Stop Shop' model brings together three service strands: Early Years and School Age Care, Child and Family, and Youth and Community. We provide accessible, evidence-informed and trauma-informed support, ranging from universal programmes and early intervention to targeted and intensive, tailored wraparound support for families with multiple or complex needs.

Position 1: Intensive Family Support Worker – Hidden Harm

Child and Family Worker | Full-time | Ref: Hidden Harm 2026

The worker will provide intensive family support to children, young people and families impacted by parental substance use and related hidden harm. Through relationship-based, strengths-focused and child-centered practice, the worker will support families to strengthen safety, stability, parenting capacity and children’s wellbeing. The role combines assessment, care planning, one-to-one and whole-family support, outreach, groupwork, advocacy and coordinated work with community, voluntary and statutory services.

Job Description – Hidden Harm

• Manage a caseload of children, young people and families affected by parental substance use and related complex needs, providing consistent, relationship-based and strengths-focused support.
• Complete strengths and needs assessments with families and develop, implement and regularly review child- and family-centered support and care plans with clear goals, responsibilities and review points.
• Work directly with children and young people to understand their lived experience, strengthen protective factors and ensure their views inform assessment, planning and review.
• Provide practical and emotional support to parents and carers to strengthen parenting capacity, family routines, safety, stability and parent–child relationships.
• Provide support through home visits, outreach and one-to-one work in home, center and community settings.
• Build trusting, non-judgmental relationships with families who may have experienced stigma, trauma, service disengagement or difficulty sustaining contact with services.
• Use flexible and persistent engagement approaches while maintaining clear professional boundaries, lone-working procedures and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Coordinate internal FamiliBase supports and work with addiction, health, social work, education, housing and community services to provide an integrated response around each family.
• Participate in interagency meetings, child and family support planning and case reviews, contributing clear information, agreed actions and professional judgement within the boundaries of the role.
• Support families to access relevant services and entitlements through practical advocacy, supported referrals and follow-up.
• Plan and facilitate evidence-informed parenting, family support and child development programmes for families affected by hidden harm.
• Deliver groupwork that supports positive parenting, healthy family relationships, emotional regulation, resilience and children’s wellbeing.
• Adapt programme delivery to participants’ needs and contribute to the annual delivery service plan for the Child and Family Strand.
• Maintain accurate, timely assessments, care plans, case notes, contact records and activity information on Salesforce.
• Record progress against agreed goals and contribute to outcome measurement, programme reporting, audit requirements and continuous improvement.
• Prepare clear written and verbal updates for supervision, integrated case review and partner meetings, while maintaining confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Identify, record and promptly escalate safeguarding and welfare concerns in line with organisational procedures and Children First requirements.
• Contribute to coordinated safety planning where parental substance use, domestic abuse, mental health difficulties or related risks affect a child or young person.
• Participate fully in supervision, reflective practice, team meetings, training and continued professional development.

Essential Criteria – Hidden Harm

• A relevant minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care, Social Work, Community Development, Youth Work, Early Childhood Care and Education or another relevant discipline.
• At least two years’ post-qualification experience of direct work with children, young people and families experiencing complex needs.
• Demonstrated competence in assessment, care planning, case management and coordinated family support.
• Knowledge and understanding of hidden harm, parental substance uses and the impact on children, young people and family relationships.
• Experience of trauma-informed, strengths-based, rights-respecting and child-centered practice.
• Experience of home visiting, outreach and lone working with families in community settings.
• Experience of planning and facilitating evidence-informed parenting, child development or family support programmes.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and the ability to identify, record and respond appropriately to child welfare and protection concerns.
• Excellent relationship-building, written communication and interagency-working skills.
• Strong organisational skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment.
• A high level of ICT literacy, including the ability to maintain accurate electronic case records.
• A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.

Position 2: Young Parent Support Programme (YPSP)

Child and Family Worker | 28-hour contract | Ref: YPSP 2026

The worker will deliver the Young Parent Support Programme (YPSP). Through relationship-based, strengths-focused and child-centered support, you will work alongside young parents to build confidence, strengthen parent–child relationships and support their children’s wellbeing and development. The role combines one-to-one key working, group support, outreach and practical advocacy, helping young parents access opportunities in education, training and employment and support with parenting, health and wellbeing, housing and independent living.

Job Description – YPSP

• Work with colleagues across FamiliBase’s three service strands and with community, voluntary and statutory partners to coordinate support for young parents and their children. Help young parents overcome barriers to education, training, employment, childcare, housing, health and wellbeing services through practical advocacy, supported referrals and follow-up, within the agreed support plan and the boundaries of the role.
• Manage a caseload of young parents and their children, providing relationship based, strength focused support that responds to each family’s needs, priorities and circumstances. Use the YPSP Framework and Practitioner Toolkit to guide assessment, support planning and delivery, in line with agreed programme procedures.
• Carry out strengths and needs assessments and develop, implement and regularly review individual support plans with young parents, taking account of their children’s needs and involving relevant partners where appropriate. Agree meaningful goals across parenting, health and wellbeing, independent living, and education, training and employment. Ensure young parents have a voice in decisions and plan step-down, onward support and case closure as needs change.
• Provide practical and emotional support through home visits, outreach and one-to-one key working in home, centre and community settings. Build consistent, non-judgmental relationships with young parents and adapt engagement to their needs and readiness, including where previous contact with services has been limited.
• Plan and facilitate evidence-informed parenting and peer-support groups for young parents and activities that strengthen parent–child relationships and support children’s development. Use relevant YPSP Toolkit resources and adapt delivery to participants’ needs, in line with the annual delivery service plan.
• Maintain accurate, timely assessments, support plans, case notes and activity records on Salesforce. Document progress towards agreed goals for young parents, their children and parent–child relationships and contribute to programme reporting and continuous improvement in line with agreed YPSP recording and outcome-measurement requirements.
• Identify, record and promptly escalate safeguarding and welfare concerns in line with organisational procedures, contribute to coordinated safety planning, and participate in supervision, reflective practice and integrated case reviews.

Essential Criteria – YPSP

• Full driving licence and access to own car.
• A relevant qualification, e.g. minimum Level 7 in Social Care, Community Development, Early Childhood Care and Education, Social Work, Youth Work or a relevant discipline.
• Minimum two years’ post-qualification experience of direct work with young parents and/or young people and families with complex needs, including assessment, individual support planning and coordinated support.
• Understanding of the needs and strengths of young parents and their children, including parenting, child development, parent–child relationships, health and wellbeing, independent living, and participation in education, training and employment. Experience of planning and delivering community-based parenting or family support programmes.
• Experience of lone working and outreach with young people and/or families in home and community settings, with appropriate attention to safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Ability to apply trauma-informed, strengths-based and rights-respecting practice when designing and delivering individual and group support for young parents and their children.
• Experience of working with and responding effectively to childhood trauma and trauma responses.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, including the ability to establish trust with children, young people and parents, maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies.
• A high level of ICT literacy, including a proven ability to apply technology in the workplace.
• High ethical standards with strong integrity.

• Strong organisational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

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FamiliBase Employee Benefits

• Opportunities to develop your skills through training and continuing professional development.
• A varied and engaging role within a multidisciplinary team.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
• Supervision and reflective practice to support your professional growth.
• A pension benefit to support your future.
• 25 days’ annual leave each year.
• 4 additional company days each year, on top of your 25 days’ annual leave.
• Team wellness days focused on staff wellbeing.
• Occupational sick pay following completion of the probationary period.
• Enhanced maternity benefit following two years’ consecutive service.
• A positive, family-friendly working environment that values work–life balance.
• Free on-site parking.

Salary is based on the HSE Social Care Worker scale, with the starting point dependent on experience.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria to Recruitment@FamiliBase.ie. Please clearly state which position you are applying for and quote the relevant reference: Hidden Harm 2026 or YPSP 2026.

Closing date for both positions: Thursday 19th November 2026.

Shortlisting will apply. Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

For informal enquiries, please contact Niamh Kearney at Niamh.kearney@familibase.ie.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory Garda vetting and reference checks. A panel may be created for future positions. 

FamiliBase is an equal opportunities employer.

FamiliBase | Blackditch Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

• Children & Youth

Date Entered/Updated: 29th Oct, 2026

Expiry Date: 19th Nov, 2026

Region: Dublin 10

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Source URL: https://activelink.ie/vacancies/children-youth/129813-familibase-child-and-family-workers-x-2