Careers at
Childhood Matters

 Week of 13^th April, 2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

Clinical and Practice

·         To promote trauma informed practice and Infant Mental Health competencies in line with Childhood Matters Trauma Informed Principals through management of staff, client interaction and service provision.

·         To coordinate the delivery and development of high-quality residential Parenting Capacity Assessments and be-spoke capacity building interventions to meet the needs of referred complex parent and infant dyads/triads within the Service Framework.

·         To write quality and timely multi-disciplinary assessment and case reports and to present findings in Court and at professional meetings when appropriate.

·         Through the work of the team provide planned, intensive and timely programmes to families at times that work for them including weekends and evenings.

·         Contribute in multidisciplinary forum to the development and progression of individualised care plan for children and families transitioning from residential care at Childhood Matters to the community. 

·         Ensure smooth delivery of key operational processes of placements (health and safety, fire safety, filing, inventory, medication).

·         To communicate and liaise, in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and intervention plans of children and families who have been seen within the service.

·         Impart formal and informal feedback aimed to help support parents to develop their relationships, basic care and emotional connection with their infant(s).

·         Participation in on-call arrangements.

Operational

• To implement best practice protocols, standard operating procedures and agreed policies and frameworks to ensure the highest standards of care, compliance and service and to remain abreast of best practice, current research and ongoing developments.

·         To ensure the work of services is integrated and makes best use of opportunities offered by other services within Childhood Matters and external stakeholders.

·         To ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures and legislation related to collective Child and Family Services along with the Childhood Matters Clinical Director and Director of Child and Family Services.

·         Manage service and training budgets

·         Monitor performance against SLAs

People Leadership

·         Operationally manage a multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of service.

·         To develop a culture of responsiveness, ambition and improvement within the staff team ensuring best use of existing skills and knowledge and a proactive response to the needs of children and families.

·         Manage staff roster and act as point of contact of roster related issues.

·         Ensure performance management, supervision and support is available to line staff.

·         Ensure that all staff are appropriately inducted, monitored through probation and follow through on the ethos, standards, requirements, policies and procedures of the Centre.

·         Support recruitment in line with service need

·         Ensure that shift staff are appropriately trained to assume full responsibility in the absence of management.  Delegate appropriate duties in relation to shift leadership, on-call deployment and day to day management.

Networking and Partnership

·         To build local partnerships and contribute to safeguarding practices at Childhood Matters and in the community.

·         Attend meetings with stakeholders in order to advice and report on the service 

Strategic & Service Development Leadership

·         To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the services, through participation in research, service evaluation and audit.

·         To support the development and operation of new services to fall under the remit of Parent and Infant Services

·         To ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in CPD training and development, conferences and engagement with current literature.

·         To contribute to the development and articulation of best practice within the service areas, by exercising the skills of a reflective practitioner, taking part in regular professional supervision, performance management and maintaining an active engagement with current developments in the field.

·         To measure impact and outcomes of services and report regularly on these.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

Essential

·         Relevant professional qualification in social care, social work, psychology, early years, family support, or a related discipline.

·         Minimum 3+ years’ leadership experience in child and family services, advocacy, or early intervention settings.

·         Strong understanding of trauma, attachment, infant mental health, child participation, and family systems.

·         Practical and successful post-qualification experience of working with vulnerable and at-risk families.

·         Experience of working in a multi-professional environment.

·         Casework management experience to ensure successful and safe work practice.

·         Able to work flexibly, including evenings and out of hours where necessary and to conduct home visits.

·         Experience of communicating effectively with a wide range of agencies, children and parents/carers.

·         Able to identify key priorities, work effectively under pressure and meet identified deadlines.

·         Ability to use a variety of IT and Office software.

·         Full diving licence is essential.

Desirable

·         Additional qualifications in provision of therapeutic supports and attachment approaches will be a distinct advantage.

Other requirements of the role

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present but may be subject to reasonable change according to service need

The current vacancies available are permanent/temporary and whole time/part- time.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:  €66,077

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education

Application Form Only – CV’s will not be accepted (Download Application Form)

13^th of April, Blackrock Cork

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Childhood Matters, Blackrock and EPOS House  Ballincollig

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 10-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety (EPOS) and Aftercare is incorporated into this project

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The relief role is across two services; the Parent and Infant unit and the EPOS residential House.

The Parent and Infant Unit is a residential support and assessment service for parents with infant children. While living on the unit, parents take part in a parenting assessment while also engaging in a programme of therapeutic support and key working tailored to meet their individual needs. The Social Care team provide assistance, developmental guidance and monitoring to each of the families though their residential bespoke placement.

The EPOS supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

•         Support, understand, and record parents’ ability to meet the emotional, physical and basic care needs of their children whilst working according to psychologically-informed care plans

•         Understand, support and engage with young people out of home, offering them care and boundaries relevant to their age and stage of development

•         Work in partnership with our multidisciplinary team in the development and progression of individualised care plan for clients

•         Impart formal and informal feedback aimed to help parents adjust to parenthood and develop their parenting skills and emotional connection with their child(ren)

•         Undertake assigned parenting development intervention to include group play, baby sensory work, parenting demonstration, psychoeducation on developmental awareness/attachment/mentalizing capacity

•         Work in partnership with the wider team in the context of understanding resident adults, infants, children and adolescents

•         To provide childcare for children

•         Contribute toward trauma informed working environment for both clients and colleagues

•         Demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm to developing skillset in niche area of service provision within Irish context though ongoing professional development and reflective supervision

•         Contribute to team discussions and Actively participate in team meetings.

•         Cleaning duties

Administration and Accountability

•         To make written logs on a regular basis on the progress of development of the children and their families.

•         Reporting and recording any incidents, that may happen to the / children and their families or are caused by them.

•         Ensure Child protection procedures are followed

•         To keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.

•         To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

•         To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

•         To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.

•         To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

•         Participate in working within a team centered consistent approach.

•         Participate in further training and development as required.

•         Working with other professionals and external stakeholders

•         Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc Engage in reflective and evidence-based practice.

•         Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

•         Keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

·         Minimum of NFQ Level 5 qualification social care, social science, Early Years, psychotherapy, Counselling, Psychology or equivalent is required.

·         Verification of garda Clearance

·         Validation of three references.

Other requirements of the role

Essential

Experience;

•         Experience of working therapeutically with clients

•         Experience in conflict resolution mediation

•         Experience in lone working

•         Experienced in record keeping and report writing

Skills, knowledge and abilities;

•         Ability to work in a people centered and needs led manner

•         Knowledge of child development and family dynamics

•         Understanding of the relevant legislation, best practice and issues relevant to the area of Children’s services and Family Support

•         Excellent communication, IT and report writing skills

•         Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team

•         Adaptable and flexible with regard to service development and working hours

Desirable

•         Experience of legal responsibilities with regard to child protection and child care

•         Knowledge around Trauma informed Care approaches

•         Trained in Parenting Programmes or other relevant trainings to the post

•         A full clean driver’s license

The current vacancy available is a Relief post

N.A

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Staff parking

Application Form Only – CV’s will not be accepted(Download Application Form)

Week of 13^th of April, 2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Working with Children/Young People/Families

·         To work as a member of a residential team, providing high-quality Social Care to children in care or on the edge of care in a residential setting.

·         To support trauma-informed practices within the team.

·         To be responsible for developing individual care plans, and manage the day to day needs of our clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To provide emotional and practical support to our young people, and advocate for their needs.

·         Foster a safe, protective environment for young people and manage their needs effectively

·         Facilitate engagement in educational, recreational and social participation.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times.

·         To participate in the development and implementation of care plans and tailored interventions and to ensure appropriate recording of same.

•         To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the service.

•         To liaise with the parent, family, services and other agencies on behalf of the client.

•         Adhere to all regulations governing the care of children in a residential setting.

Administration and Accountability

•         To attend team meeting/handovers and to report to the Clinical Lead/ Service Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.

•         To provide written documentation on a regular basis on casework.

•         Reporting and recording any incidents, that may happen to the / children and their families or are caused by them.

•         Ensure Child protection procedures are followed.

•         To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

•         To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

•         To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.

•         To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

•         Work collaboratively with a team to provide trauma responsive interventions and evidence-based practice.

•         Participate in further training and development as required.

•         Working with other professionals and external stakeholders

•         Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc

•         Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

•         Keep abreast of governance standards of care for children in residential units.

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

Minimum of NFQ Level7/ 8 qualification in Social Care or hold a relevant qualification in one of  the following disciplines;

·         QQI Level 7 in Psychology

·         QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

·         QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Counselling / Psychotherapy

·         QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Addiction Counselling

·         QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community or similar

·         QQI Level 7 in Social Science / Social Studies

·         QQI Level 7 in Family Support

·         Professional Qualification in Teaching (Not TEFL)

·         Professional Qualification in Nursing Studies

·         QQI Level 7 in Disability Studies

·         QQI Level 7 in Applied Behavioural Analysis

·         BA in Applied Policing or equivalent

·         Holder of Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent

·         For applicants awaiting CORU registration for Social Care Work, please indicate status of your application.

·         A full clean driver’s license

Other requirements of the role

Essential

Experience;

 Practice in Social Care Work or its equivalent and experience as a Social Care Worker with young people and families.

Skills, knowledge and abilities;

•         Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a Residential Team with support from a wider Multi-disciplinary Team

•         Knowledge of child development and family dynamics

•         Understanding of Trauma-informed practices, best practice and issues relevant to working with children in care.

•         Ability to network, develop links and engage with statutory sector and local community

•         Strong communication, IT and report writing skills

•         Adaptable and flexible with regard to service development and working hours

Desirable

·         CORU Registered

·         Knowledge of models such as Signs of Safety, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention

·         Group work with children and families

·         Experience of working therapeutically with clients

·         Experience of legal responsibilities with regard to child protection and child care

·         Experience in home visiting

·         Knowledge and Training in Trauma informed Care approaches, risk assessment, care planning.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Aligned with the HSE Social Care Work Salary Scale October 2024.

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation.

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education

Week of 18/3/2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry this year also.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown. Our service is expanding into Kerry, the team will work closely with the existing service in Cork City.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Working with Children/Young People/Carers

·         To work as a member of multi-disciplinary teams, providing high-quality, psychological input to children in care or on the edge of care and their carers. This may be in clinic or in the community/home setting.

·         To support psychological practice within the team through consultation, formulation and training/ psycho-education. To provide support to Social Care staff and Young people in our emergency place of respite.

·         To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload and exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the planning and prioritising of own workload and the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To engage with service development opportunities, developing leadership capacity and autonomous responsibility where appropriate.

·         To operate as lead clinician on complex cases in interagency contexts when required

·         To compile comprehensive assessment and intervention reports and any other reports as required in connection to the children and their parents with whom they are working.

·         To use analytical and judgment skills and be responsible for taking clinical management decisions in complex clinical issues (with support of MDT/senior colleagues)

·         To provide consultation, mentorship, supervision and advice about psychological issues to other members of the team/service and other professionals working with service users, across a range of agencies/ settings as appropriate.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times

·         Promote equality, diversity and human rights, and treat others with dignity and respect ensuring services are developed, managed and delivered to meet specific needs linked to protected characteristics.

·         Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and contributing to developing equality of opportunity and outcomes in working practices

·         Contribute to developing and maintaining equality of opportunity in working practices by complying with legislation and organisational policies. Advise colleagues about equality, diversity and human rights policies and procedures and ensure they are followed.

·         To attend court, if required, as an expert witness.

Administration and Accountability

•         To attend team meetings and to report to the Clinical Lead/Director of Services on matters affecting the delivery of service.

•         To make written reports where required on a regular basis on the progress of the case and recommendations for further support.

•         Reporting and recording any incidents occurring during the course of the work.

•         Ensure Child protection procedures are followed.

•         To keep abreast of current legislation and best practice.

•         To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

•         To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

•         To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.

•         To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

•         Engage in maintaining statistics and engage with measuring outcomes.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

•         Work with a trauma-responsive approach.

•         Participate in further training and development as required.

•         Engage with other professionals and external stakeholders

•         Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc Engage in reflective and evidence-based practice.

•         Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

·         Doctorate in Clinical Clinical/Counselling/Educational Psychology (or equivalent if training was pre-doctorate accreditation)

·         Qualification recognised by an accrediting body i.e. PSI, BPS

·         A full clean driver’s license

Other requirements of the role

Essential

·         An ability to offer attachment-focused, evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to meet the individual needs of children/young people and their carers referred to the Placement Support Project Team.

·         An ability to work dyadically with carers and children as well as systemically with the network around the child

·         Familiarity with key legislation relating to children in the care of the state and awareness of partner agencies involved in working with children in care

·         Experience in conducting cognitive assessments and using psychometric tests and routine outcome measures in child mental health services

·         Skills in the provision of supervision and consultation to both external and internal professionals and teams (where appropriate and dependent on level of experience)

·         Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and an ability to explain psychological concepts to non-clinical professionals/colleagues as well as to children/young people and carers

·         Excellent time management skills and an ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workload

·         Exceptional organisational skills and a capacity to balance clinical tasks and administrative workload including clinical note-writing, letter/report writing, updating of services databases etc.

·         High level of knowledge of developmental trauma, attachment, child development and neurodiversity, and child and adolescent mental health issues

·         Awareness of the complexities and challenges of working therapeutically with children who have experienced developmental trauma as well as their carers and the system around the child

·         Knowledge of psychological theory and research in the field of developmental trauma, attachment and therapeutic models and frameworks relevant to this population

·         An understanding of the use creative, non-directive approaches in therapy for children who have experienced developmental trauma

·         An excellent understanding of safeguarding children issues as well as an understanding of care and control, notification procedures and equal opportunities, data protection and general good practice

·         Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Outlook; Power Point, and Excel

·         Desirable:

·         CPD/training completed in any of our core therapeutic models including Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP); Theraplay; Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT) approaches; Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI), Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) or other attachment-focussed interventions and systemic approaches to working with developmental trauma

·         Training in managing risk; such as Safe Talk, ASIST, STORM, DBT etc

·         Post-qualification experience as a Psychologist in a child mental health setting

·         Experience of using digital clinical record systems

·         Experience of consulting to/liaising with social care teams and professional groups such as teachers, court-appointed guardians and other professionals in the justice system

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Aligned with the HSE Psychology Salary Scale October 2024

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education

Senior Child Court Advocate

Application Form Only – CV’s will not be accepted (Download Application Form)

11.02.2026

12pm Monday 2^nd of March,  2026

5^th and 6^th March, 2026.

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Details of Services

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Role Purpose

The Senior Children’s Court Advocate will provide practice leadership, professional oversight, and adaptive service leadership within the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot. This is a senior, specialist role operating in a developing and evolving service environment, where initiative, sound judgement, and the ability to work constructively with uncertainty are essential.

As this is a pilot project, the postholder will be expected not only to deliver high-quality practice, but also to actively shape, refine, and strengthen the service model as learning emerges. The role requires confidence operating without full precedent, contributing to continuous improvement, and supporting the organisation and commissioning body to understand what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

The successful candidate will report to the Director of Children & Family Services

Key Responsibilities

Practice Leadership & Adaptive Service Oversight

·         Provide overall professional leadership for the Children’s Court Advocate service across an individual pilot location

·         Ensure practice remains child-centred, rights-based, developmentally appropriate, and ethically robust as the service evolves

·         Exercise high levels of initiative and professional judgement in the absence of established precedent

·         Lead on complex, novel, or ambiguous cases, setting practice direction where guidance is still emerging

·         Actively identify practice challenges and propose solutions to strengthen the pilot model

Supervision, Capability & Workforce Support

·         Provide reflective, developmental supervision to Children’s Court Advocates working within a new service model

·         Support practitioners to work confidently within ambiguity while maintaining clear professional boundaries

·         Quality-assure all materials prepared for court, ensuring consistency, neutrality, and fidelity to the child’s expressed views

·         Promote a culture of learning, reflective practice, and continuous improvement

Court, Stakeholder & System Interface

·         Act as a senior professional interface with the judiciary, Courts Service, and other stakeholders within a pilot context

·         Support the development, testing, and refinement of protocols, guidance, and operational procedures

·         Provide informed feedback to senior management and the Department of Justice on systemic learning emerging from practice

Safeguarding, Risk & Ethical Oversight

·         Maintain clear oversight of safeguarding practice in a new and sensitive service context

·         Anticipate and respond proactively to ethical risks arising from the pilot nature of the work

·         Escalate concerns and contribute to risk management and governance processes

Learning, Evaluation & Service Development

·         Actively contribute to pilot evaluation, learning capture, and service refinement

·         Actively contribute to external evaluation that will run alongside the project in its pilot phase

·         Support the development of practice insights, learning summaries, and recommendations for potential scale or expansion

·         Work closely with senior management to ensure the pilot remains responsive, safe, and aligned with its objectives

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate:

·         Extensive experience in senior, specialist, or leadership roles within child-focused services

·         Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in new, evolving, or pilot service environments

·         High tolerance for ambiguity, with the capacity to exercise sound judgement in the absence of fixed protocols

·         Strong supervision, mentoring, and practice leadership experience

·         Advanced understanding of child development, trauma-informed practice, and children’s rights

·         Excellent communication skills and professional credibility with senior stakeholders

·         Eligibility for Garda Vetting and compliance with Children First requirements

Desirable Criteria

·         Experience contributing to pilots, innovation projects, or service development initiatives

·         Experience of court-related or court-adjacent work

·         Experience translating practice learning into service improvement or policy recommendations

·         Postgraduate training in supervision, leadership, or advanced practice

Why This Role Matters

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a nationally significant pilot at a formative stage. The Senior Children’s Court Advocate will play a central role in determining how children’s participation in the family justice system is delivered, evaluated, and potentially scaled in Ireland.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

·         A recognised professional qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Social Work, Social Care, Psychology, Teaching, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Psychiatry)

·         A minimum of 10 years post-qualification experience working directly with children

Other requirements of the role

Governance & Professional Support

The postholder will operate within Childhood Matters’ clinically informed governance framework, with access to senior management support, reflective oversight, and structured decision-making pathways appropriate to a pilot environment.

Health & Safety

Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

The current vacancies available are permanent/temporary and whole time/part- time.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Senior Social Worker Principal Grade (HSE Consolidated Payscale October 2024 starting €77,945)

 Full-time or .8 WTE

(The standard working week applying to the whole time equivalent of this post is: 37.5 hours).

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education

Application form only – CV’s will not be accepted (Download Application Form)

12pm Monday 2^nd of March, 2026

5^th and 6^th March, 2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

Role Purpose

The Children’s Court Advocate is a specialist, child-centred role within the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot, designed to support children involved in private family law proceedings to understand the court process and to express their views in a manner that is safe, voluntary and developmentally appropriate.

The role is grounded in children’s rights, trauma-informed practice, and the Lundy Model of Participation. It is not a therapeutic role, not a forensic assessment function, and not adversarial advocacy. The Advocate’s responsibility is to ensure that the child’s voice is supported and conveyed clearly and accurately, without influence, interpretation, or recommendation.

This is a senior practitioner role requiring significant professional judgement, discretion, and confidence operating within a court-adjacent environment.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Work with Children

• Engage directly with children involved in private family law proceedings, providing clear, age-appropriate information about court processes, roles, and what to expect
• Support children to decide if and how they wish their views to be shared with the court
• Facilitate children to express their views using developmentally appropriate methods, including written formats, visual tools, or other child-preferred mediums
• Ensure the child’s views are captured accurately, respectfully, and without interpretation or influence

Court-Related Practice

• Prepare and submit materials conveying the child’s views for court, in line with agreed protocols
• Where appropriate, support children who wish to meet a judge, including preparation and accompaniment
• Maintain clear professional boundaries in all interactions with parents, legal representatives, and the judiciary

Professional Standards & Safeguarding

• Work at all times in accordance with Children First, organisational safeguarding policies, and relevant legislation
• Identify, assess, and appropriately escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns through agreed governance structures
• Exercise high levels of professional judgement in complex, high-conflict, or emotionally charged situations

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in line with data protection and project requirements

Recording, Reporting & Evaluation

• Contribute to anonymised service data, learning, and evaluation processes as required by the Department of Justice
• Engage in reflective practice, supervision, and continuous professional development

Team & Service Contribution

• Participate in supervision, team learning, and service development activities
• Contribute constructively to the evolution of practice guidance, materials, and protocols as the pilot develops
• Represent Childhood Matters professionally and consistently in all external interactions

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Application form only – CV’s will not be accepted (Download Application Form)

12pm Monday 2^nd of March, 2026

5^th and 6^th March, 2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

Role Purpose

The Children’s Court Advocate is a specialist, child-centred role within the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot, designed to support children involved in private family law proceedings to understand the court process and to express their views in a manner that is safe, voluntary and developmentally appropriate.

The role is grounded in children’s rights, trauma-informed practice, and the Lundy Model of Participation. It is not a therapeutic role, not a forensic assessment function, and not adversarial advocacy. The Advocate’s responsibility is to ensure that the child’s voice is supported and conveyed clearly and accurately, without influence, interpretation, or recommendation.

This is a senior practitioner role requiring significant professional judgement, discretion, and confidence operating within a court-adjacent environment.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Work with Children

• Engage directly with children involved in private family law proceedings, providing clear, age-appropriate information about court processes, roles, and what to expect
• Support children to decide if and how they wish their views to be shared with the court
• Facilitate children to express their views using developmentally appropriate methods, including written formats, visual tools, or other child-preferred mediums
• Ensure the child’s views are captured accurately, respectfully, and without interpretation or influence

Court-Related Practice

• Prepare and submit materials conveying the child’s views for court, in line with agreed protocols
• Where appropriate, support children who wish to meet a judge, including preparation and accompaniment
• Maintain clear professional boundaries in all interactions with parents, legal representatives, and the judiciary

Professional Standards & Safeguarding

• Work at all times in accordance with Children First, organisational safeguarding policies, and relevant legislation
• Identify, assess, and appropriately escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns through agreed governance structures
• Exercise high levels of professional judgement in complex, high-conflict, or emotionally charged situations

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in line with data protection and project requirements

Recording, Reporting & Evaluation

• Contribute to anonymised service data, learning, and evaluation processes as required by the Department of Justice
• Engage in reflective practice, supervision, and continuous professional development

Team & Service Contribution

• Participate in supervision, team learning, and service development activities
• Contribute constructively to the evolution of practice guidance, materials, and protocols as the pilot develops
• Represent Childhood Matters professionally and consistently in all external interactions

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Week of 23^rd February and Week of 9^th March 2026 

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Killarney, County Kerry

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown. Our service is expanding into Kerry, the team will work closely with the existing service in Cork City.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Working with Children/Young People/Carers

·         To work as a member of multi-disciplinary teams, providing high-quality, psychological input to children in care or on the edge of care and their carers. This may be in clinic or in the community/home setting.

·         To support psychological practice within the team through consultation, formulation and training/ psycho-education. To provide support to Social Care staff and Young people in our emergency place of respite.

·         To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload and exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the planning and prioritising of own workload and the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To engage with service development opportunities, developing leadership capacity and autonomous responsibility where appropriate.

·         To operate as lead clinician on complex cases in interagency contexts when required

·         To compile comprehensive assessment and intervention reports and any other reports as required in connection to the children and their parents with whom they are working.

·         To use analytical and judgment skills and be responsible for taking clinical management decisions in complex clinical issues (with support of MDT/senior colleagues)

·         To provide consultation, mentorship, supervision and advice about psychological issues to other members of the team/service and other professionals working with service users, across a range of agencies/ settings as appropriate.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times

·         Promote equality, diversity and human rights, and treat others with dignity and respect ensuring services are developed, managed and delivered to meet specific needs linked to protected characteristics.

·         Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and contributing to developing equality of opportunity and outcomes in working practices

·         Contribute to developing and maintaining equality of opportunity in working practices by complying with legislation and organisational policies. Advise colleagues about equality, diversity and human rights policies and procedures and ensure they are followed.

·         To attend court, if required, as an expert witness.

Application Form Only – CV’s will not be accepted(Download Application Form)

Week of 23^rd February and Week of 9^th March 2026 

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Working with Children/Young People/Families

·         To work as a member of a residential team, providing high-quality Social Care to children in care or on the edge of care in a residential setting.

·         To support trauma-informed practices within the team.

·         To be responsible for developing individual care plans, and manage the day to day needs of our clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To provide emotional and practical support to our young people, and advocate for their needs.

·         Foster a safe, protective environment for young people and manage their needs effectively

·         Facilitate engagement in educational, recreational and social participation.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times.

·         To participate in the development and implementation of care plans and tailored interventions and to ensure appropriate recording of same.

•         To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the service.

•         To liaise with the parent, family, services and other agencies on behalf of the client.

•         Adhere to all regulations governing the care of children in a residential setting.

Application Form Only – CV’s will not be accepted (Download Application Form)

01^st or 02^nd week in March 2026, Blackrock Cork

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Blackrock

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 10-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety and Aftercare is incorporated into this project

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

6-MONTH MAT LEAVE COVER

Main Duties and Responsibilities

·  Undertake individual key-working sessions with residential parents and infants to facilitate personal and parenting development using a relational model of working according to our service delivery model.

·  Impart formal and informal feedback aimed to help parents adjust to parenthood and develop their parenting skills and emotional connection with their child(ren)

·  Contribute to comprehensive MDT assessment reports within specified time frames

· Actively participate in team meetings (fortnightly) and formulation meetings (as required).

·   Assume responsibility for progression of family’s placement in line with service delivery framework.

·  Support, understand, and record parents’ ability to meet the emotional, physical and basic care needs of their children whilst working according to psychologically-informed care plans

·  Work in partnership with our multidisciplinary team in the development and progression of individualised care plan for key clients

· Undertake assigned parenting development intervention to include group play, baby sensory work, parenting demonstration, psycho-education on developmental awareness/attachment/mentalizing capacity

·  Take responsibility for assigned areas of operational procedures (e.g. fire safety, health and safety, stock and inventory, hygiene, aftercare etc)

· Work in partnership with the wider team in the context of understanding resident parents and infants supporting positive parenting at all times.

· To provide childcare for children whilst their parents/carers attend groups and individual sessions

· Contribute toward trauma informed working environment for both clients and colleagues

· Demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm to developing skillets in niche area of service provision within Irish context though ongoing professional development and reflective supervision

· Cleaning duties

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

A minimum level 7 qualification in social care, social science, Early Years, psychotherapy, Counselling, Psychology or equivalent is required.

A clean full driving licence is desirable.

The current vacancies available are permanent/temporary and whole time/part- time.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Aligned with the HSE Social Care Salary Scale October 2024

Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and will not be subject to negotiation.

8% of hours worked

Week of Feb 23^rd and March 2^nd 2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Killarney Co. Kerry

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown. Our service is expanding into Kerry, the team will work closely with the existing service in Cork City.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Working with Children/Young People/Families

·         To work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, providing high-quality Occupational Therapy input to children in care or on the edge of care and their carers. This may be in clinic or in the community/home setting.

·         To support trauma-informed practice within the team through consultation, formulation and training/education. To provide OT support to Social Care staff and Young people in our emergency place of respite as appropriate.

·         To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload and exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the planning and prioritising of own workload and the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To engage with service development opportunities, outcome measurement and evaluation of serviceprovision as appropriate.

·         To operate as lead clinician on complex cases in interagency contexts when required

·         To compile comprehensive assessment and intervention reports and any other reports as required in connection to the children and their parents with whom they are working.

·         To use analytical and judgment skills and be responsible for taking clinical management decisions in complex clinical issues (with support of MDT/senior colleagues)

·         To provide consultation and advice about OT informed issues to other members of the team/service and other professionals working with service users, across a range of agencies/ settings as appropriate.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times.

·         To participate in the development and implementation of assessments and tailored interventions and to ensure appropriate recording of same.

•         To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the service.

•         Assist in supporting parents/guardians/ families to sustain the safe care of their children in the home setting.

•         To liaise with the parent, family, general services and other agencies on behalf of the client.

Administration and Accountability

•         To attend team meetings and to report to the Clinical Lead/ Service Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.

•         To provide written documentation where required on a regular basis on casework.

•         Reporting and recording any incidents, that may happen to the / children and their families or are caused by them.

•         Ensure Child protection procedures are followed.

•         To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

•         To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

•         To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.

•         To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

•         Work collaboratively with a team to provide trauma responsive interventions and evidence-based practice.

•         Participate in further training and development as required.

•         Working with other professionals and external stakeholders

•         Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc Engage in reflective and evidence-based practice.

•         Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

•         Keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

·         Minimum of NFQ Level 8 qualification Occupational Therapy (Honours)Bachelors Degree

·         CORU Registration

·         A full clean driver’s license

Other requirements of the role

Essential

Experience;

Practice in Occupational Therapy under Coru Registration, either mental health, child and adolescent mental health, or paediatrics.

Skills, knowledge and abilities;

•         Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a Multi-disciplinary Team

•         Knowledge of child development and family dynamics

•         Understanding of Trauma-informed practices, best practice and issues relevant to working with children in care.

•         Knowledge of Theoretical Frameworks such as SAI, DBT, DDP, AMBIT

•         Ability to network, develop links and engage with statutory sector and local community

•         Excellent communication, IT and report writing skills

•         Adaptable and flexible with regard to service development and working hours

Desirable

•         Group work with children and families

•         Experience of working therapeutically with clients

•         Experience of legal responsibilities with regard to child protection and child care

•         Experience in home visiting

•         Knowledge  and Training in Trauma informed Care approaches, risk assessment, care planning.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Aligned with the HSE Occupational Therapy Salary Scale October 2024

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education

Week of 23^rd February and week of march 2^nd.

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Killarney, County Kerry

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown. Our service is expanding into Kerry, the team will work closely with the existing service in Cork City.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Working with Children/Young People/Carers

·         To work as a member of multi-disciplinary teams, providing high-quality, systemic family therapy input to children in care or on the edge of care and their carers. This may be in clinic or in the community/home setting.

·         To support clinical practices within the team through consultation, formulation and training/ psycho-education. To provide support to Social Care staff and Young people in our emergency place of respite.

·         To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload and exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the planning and prioritising of own workload and the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To engage with service development opportunities, developing leadership capacity and autonomous responsibility where appropriate.

·         To operate as lead clinician on complex cases in interagency contexts when required

·         To compile comprehensive assessment and intervention reports and any other reports as required in connection to the children and their parents with whom they are working.

·         To use analytical and judgment skills and be responsible for taking clinical management decisions in complex clinical issues (with support of MDT/senior colleagues)

·         To provide consultation, mentorship, supervision and advice about psychological issues to other members of the team/service and other professionals working with service users, across a range of agencies/ settings as appropriate.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times

·         Promote equality, diversity and human rights, and treat others with dignity and respect ensuring services are developed, managed and delivered to meet specific needs linked to protected characteristics.

·         Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and contributing to developing equality of opportunity and outcomes in working practices

·         Contribute to developing and maintaining equality of opportunity in working practices by complying with legislation and organisational policies. Advise colleagues about equality, diversity and human rights policies and procedures and ensure they are followed.

·         To attend court, if required, as an expert witness.

Administration and Accountability

•         To attend team meetings and to report to the Clinical Lead/Director of Services on matters affecting the delivery of service.

•         To make written reports where required on a regular basis on the progress of the case and recommendations for further support.

•         Reporting and recording any incidents occurring during the course of the work.

•         Ensure Child protection procedures are followed.

•         To keep abreast of current legislation and best practice.

•         To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

•         To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

•         To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor/provide supervision to Team members.

•         To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

•         Engage in maintaining statistics and engage with measuring outcomes.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

•         Work with a trauma-responsive approach.

•         Participate in further training and development as required.

•         Engage with other professionals and external stakeholders

•         Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc Engage in reflective and evidence-based practice.

•         Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

1. Professional Qualifications

(a)    Possess a 3^rd level qualification, or equivalent, in a relevant field

AND

(b)    Hold a post graduate qualification in Systemic Family Therapy recognised by the Family Therapy Association of Ireland, or its equivalent body.

AND

(c)     Be registered with the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI). Registration requires four years post graduate training and post qualification and post qualification supervised clinical practice.

AND

(d)    Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability for the proper discharge of the office

·         A full clean driver’s license

Other requirements of the role

Essential

·         An ability to offer attachment-focused, evidence-based interventions tailored to meet the individual needs of children/young people and their carers referred to the Placement Support Project Team.

·         An ability to work dyadically with carers and children as well as systemically with the network around the child

·         Familiarity with key legislation relating to children in the care of the state and awareness of partner agencies involved in working with children in care

·         Experience in conducting assessments and using and routine outcome measures in child mental health services

·         Skills in the provision of supervision and consultation to both external and internal professionals and teams (where appropriate and dependent on level of experience)

·         Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and an ability to explain systemic concepts to non-clinical professionals/colleagues as well as to children/young people and carers

·         Excellent time management skills and an ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workload

·         Exceptional organisational skills and a capacity to balance clinical tasks and administrative workload including clinical note-writing, letter/report writing, updating of services databases etc.

·         High level of knowledge of developmental trauma, attachment, child development and neurodiversity, and child and adolescent mental health issues

·         Awareness of the complexities and challenges of working therapeutically with children who have experienced developmental trauma as well as their carers and the system around the child

·         Knowledge of theory and research in the field of developmental trauma, attachment and therapeutic models and frameworks relevant to this population

·         An understanding of the use creative, non-directive approaches in therapy for children who have experienced developmental trauma

·         An excellent understanding of safeguarding children issues as well as an understanding of care and control, notification procedures and equal opportunities, data protection and general good practice

·         Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Outlook; Power Point, and Excel

·         Desirable:

·         CPD/training completed in any of our core therapeutic models including Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP); Theraplay; Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT) approaches; Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI), Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) or other attachment-focussed interventions and systemic approaches to working with developmental trauma

·         Training in managing risk; such as Safe Talk, ASIST, STORM, DBT etc

·         Post-qualification experience as a clinician in a child mental health setting

·         Experience of using digital clinical record systems

·         Experience of consulting to/liaising with social care teams and professional groups such as teachers, court-appointed guardians and other professionals in the justice system

The current vacancies available are permanent/temporary and whole time/part- time.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Aligned with the HSE Salary Scales October 2024, dependent on training and experience.

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education

Week of Feb 23^rd and March 2^nd 2026

–       may be subject to change based on volume of candidates and availability of Service resources.

Killarney Co. Kerry

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides child and family services aimed at supporting positive childhood outcomes, developing parenting capacity, strengthening family resilience, and contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

·         Parent and Infant Unit: Nationwide parenting capacity-building and assessment residential service for complex parents and infant situations where distinct child protection concerns.

·         CHIPPS: CHIPPS is a specialist attachment-focused, trauma-informed mental health service for children and young people in care.

·         Young Parents Support Programme: The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP for short) is the only targeted community-based support service for young parents in Ireland.

·         The Limetree Project: Therapeutic community-based family support and family contact project, in partnership with South Lee & West Cork Social Work Department to include out of hours service.

·         Supervised Contact: Contact Service provides structured supports and interventions for children who are in the care of TUSLA to have contact with their parents, siblings and other family members.

·         Placement Support Project: This project is aimed at stabilizing at-risk foster placements, and supporting family reunification through intensive multidisciplinary support over a 12-week period, and the provision of a stability roadmap specifically tailored to the family. Emergency place of safety respite is incorporated into this project. We are expanding this service into County Kerry and are recruiting for this MDT.

·         Crèche & Preschool: Award-winning Community Crèche and Childcare facility to include afterschool programme with a current capacity of 124 children.

·         Secondary School One Year Leaving Certificate programme in partnerships with Cork Education and Training Board, providing parents opportunity to advance education when using clinical family services

·         Employment Support Service: Vocational training for long term unemployed individuals within therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown. Our service is expanding into Kerry, the team will work closely with the existing service in Cork City.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidate/s will play a key role in contributing to MDT discussions of each child or family’s needs as well as those of the system around them, formulating the presenting difficulties and considering appropriate intervention. The clinician/s joining our organisation will provide both direct and indirect therapeutic input. They will liaise with partner agencies and endeavour to achieve positive outcomes for children in care, or on the edge of care, and their carers, working to build/restore placement stability and enhance key relationships in the child’s family/support network.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Working with Children/Young People/Families

·         To work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, providing high-quality Therapeutic Social Work input to children in care or on the edge of care and their carers. This may be in clinic or in the community/home setting.

·         To support trauma-informed practice within the team through consultation, formulation and training/education. To provide support to Social Care staff and Young people in our emergency place of respite as appropriate.

·         To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload and exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the planning and prioritising of own workload and the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

·         To engage with service development opportunities, outcome measurement and evaluation of service provision as appropriate.

·         To operate as lead clinician on complex cases in interagency contexts when required

·         To compile comprehensive assessment and intervention reports and any other reports as required in connection to the children and their parents with whom they are working.

·         To use analytical and judgment skills and be responsible for taking clinical management decisions in complex clinical issues (with support of MDT/senior colleagues)

·         To provide consultation and advice about Social Work informed issues to other members of the team/service and other professionals working with service users, across a range of agencies/ settings as appropriate.

·         Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times.

·         To participate in the development and implementation of assessments and tailored interventions and to ensure appropriate recording of same.

•         To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the service.

•         Assist in supporting parents/guardians/ families to sustain the safe care of their children in the home setting.

•         To liaise with the parent, family, general services and other agencies on behalf of the client.

Administration and Accountability

•         To attend team meetings and to report to the Clinical Lead/ Service Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.

•         To provide written documentation where required on a regular basis on casework.

•         Reporting and recording any incidents, that may happen to the / children and their families or are caused by them.

•         Ensure Child protection procedures are followed.

•         To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

•         To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

•         To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.

•         To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

•         Work collaboratively with a team to provide trauma responsive interventions and evidence-based practice.

•         Participate in further training and development as required.

•         Working with other professionals and external stakeholders

•         Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc Engage in reflective and evidence-based practice.

•         Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

•         Keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.

Health & Safety

·         Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

·         Minimum of NFQ Level 8 qualification in Social Work OR Social Care Work

·         CORU Registered.

·         For applicants awaiting CORU registration for Social Care Work, please indicate status of your application.

·         A full clean driver’s license

Other requirements of the role

Essential

Experience;

Practice in Social Work under Coru Registration, either mental health, child and adolescent mental health, or paediatrics.

Experience as a Social Care Worker/Leader with young people and families.

Skills, knowledge and abilities;

•         Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a Multi-disciplinary Team

•         Knowledge of child development and family dynamics

•         Understanding of Trauma-informed practices, best practice and issues relevant to working with children in care.

•         Ability to network, develop links and engage with statutory sector and local community

•         Excellent communication, IT and report writing skills

•         Adaptable and flexible with regard to service development and working hours

Desirable

•         Knowledge of Theoretical Frameworks such as Signs of Safety, DBT, DDP, AMBIT

Group work with children and families

•         Experience of working therapeutically with clients

•         Experience of legal responsibilities with regard to child protection and child care

•         Experience in home visiting

•         Knowledge and Training in Trauma informed Care approaches, risk assessment, care planning.

The current vacancies available are permanent/temporary and whole time/part- time.

The Salary scale for the whole time equivalent of this post is:

Aligned with the HSE Social Work Salary Scale October 2024, or Social Care Leader Salary Scale.

The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata

•           Defined contribution pension scheme.

•           Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit

•           Additional Annual leave days

•           Comprehensive annual CPD schedule

•           Financial support for further education