Saoirse Domestic Violence Services
Saoirse Domestic Violence Services (SDVS) is a leading organisation supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse across Dublin and West Wicklow. With over 20 years of experience, SDVS provides refuge accommodation, outreach support, court accompaniment, 24/7 helpline services, and educational programmes across multiple locations. Our organisation is founded on principles of safety, empowerment, trauma-informed practice, and respect. Every year, hundreds of women and children access our services seeking safety and support during crisis moments. We are committed not only to service provision but also to advocating for systemic change to end domestic violence in Ireland.
About the job
The Child & Youth Services Manager is a key member of the Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Director of Services. The role provides staff leadership and management, alongside strategic oversight to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality services to children, young people and their families.
The Child & Youth Services Manager leads and manages the Child & Youth Services team in developing and delivering safe, supportive and engaging services, with a strong emphasis on child and parent participation in the planning and delivery of activities. This includes overseeing the development and implementation of structured domestic violence and abuse programmes for children of all ages and contributing to SDVS’s prevention work.
The Child & Youth Services Manager ensures children’s learning, development and wellbeing remain central to service delivery and supports the team to build respectful, trusting, nurturing and equitable relationships with children, families and communities through best practice. They are responsible for staff line management and supervision, delivery of annual service plans aligned with the organisational Strategic Plan, securing funding for new initiatives and projects, and developing partnerships and networks with relevant external agencies.
Key Responsibilities
Service Leadership & Management
- To provide strategic and operational leadership for Child & Youth Services, ensuring the development and delivery of safe, high-quality, trauma-informed services for children and young people experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
- To lead and manage the Child & Youth Services team across multiple SDVS sites, including both refuge and outreach settings, recognising and responding to the different needs, contexts and models of practice within each service.
- To provide effective line management, support and performance management to Child & Youth Services staff, promoting best practice, professional development and high standards of service delivery.
- To facilitate and contribute to regular team meetings, ensuring effective communication, shared learning, service coordination and follow-through on agreed actions.
- To oversee case management processes, including reviewing care plans and case progress, supporting staff with complex cases, contributing to case management meetings and ensuring appropriate referrals and inter-agency working.
- To oversee and guide staff practice, ensuring compliance with SDVS policies, procedures, safeguarding requirements and relevant legislation, and to continually review and update Child & Youth Services policies and procedures in consultation with staff and senior management colleagues.
- To ensure the highest standards of professional care and support are maintained and that children’s learning, development and wellbeing remain central to service delivery.
Programme & Practice Development
- To build and manage a model of best international practice in responding to the needs of children and young people experiencing all forms of domestic violence and abuse.
- To support staff in delivering the INSPIRE Family Project, including strengths- and needs-based assessments, care planning and referral of children and families requiring additional or more specialised services.
- To support Child & Youth Services staff in the delivery of keyworking to children and young people, providing emotional support, social and emotional learning, and opportunities for children to express their feelings and experiences.
- To supervise the delivery of the Parents Under Pressure parenting programme, providing regular feedback, guidance and support to the team.
- To oversee the delivery and implementation of Theraplay within the Child & Youth Services team's work with parents and children.
- To develop and coordinate appropriate groupwork programmes to meet the complex and changing needs of children and young people accessing SDVS services.
- To develop and coordinate the delivery of Healthy Relationships Workshops as part of SDVS preventative work, including liaising with schools, managing bookings, reviewing content and coordinating contractors.
- To develop child-centred spaces and activities that promote play, choice, participation and positive relationships, incorporating feedback from children and parents where appropriate.
Safeguarding & Child Protection
- To act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and oversee the implementation of SDVS safeguarding procedures, including the development and delivery of child protection and welfare training to SDVS teams.
- To ensure compliance with Children First legislation, national guidance and best practice, and to remain cognisant of all relevant child protection and welfare requirements.
- To ensure children’s areas are appropriately managed, with particular attention to health and safety, hygiene, fire prevention and the safe use of equipment.
Organisational Leadership & Partnerships
- To contribute actively as a member of the Senior Management Team and liaise with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) as required and as part of the Combined Management forum.
- To deputise for other SDVS managers during periods of absence, providing management support and contributing to operational and organisational decision-making across both refuge and outreach services.
- To work cooperatively with refuge and outreach management and other SDVS teams as part of an integrated, one-organisation care planning model.
- To build and maintain effective working relationships with external agencies, including domestic violence services, local education settings and Department of Education professionals, to advocate for improved outcomes and access to services for children and families.
- To attend and contribute to relevant forums, networks and community practice sessions, promoting better outcomes and supports for children experiencing domestic violence.
- To represent SDVS professionally and contribute to awareness-raising, advocacy and partnership development as appropriate.
- To support mothers in arranging temporary school placements for their children where required.
Funding, Finance & Resources
- To manage Child & Youth Services within the annual budget allocation and promote a cost-effective and efficient service.
- To monitor and report on Child & Youth budget expenditure, including once-off grant expenditure and projected costs, and provide quarterly reports to the CEO/Director of Finance.
- To identify funding opportunities and lead or contribute to funding applications for new initiatives and projects.
- To manage funding requirements, including monitoring outcomes, preparing funder reports, meeting reporting deadlines and ensuring funding is used appropriately and in line with approved applications and agreed outcomes.
- To support the development of new initiatives and projects in line with organisational priorities and available funding.
Information, Systems & Quality Assurance
- To use and oversee the effective use of SDVS information management systems, including the CRM and Board X, ensuring information is accurate, up to date, appropriately recorded and managed in accordance with organisational policies and data protection requirements.
- To allocate clients and oversee appropriate caseload distribution within Child & Youth Services.
- To audit files and records regularly, identifying and addressing any gaps in recording, case management or compliance.
- To prepare and analyse reports, statistics and service information as required to support service planning, quality assurance, funding requirements and organisational reporting.
- To maintain accurate records and ensure appropriate management and confidentiality of client and service information.
On-Call & Other Responsibilities
- To participate in the SDVS management on-call panel, providing 24/7 management support for one week at a time on a rota basis and responding appropriately to operational issues and emergencies as required.
- To attend court hearings and give evidence as required.
- To promote the philosophy of self-help and mutual aid.
- To perform such other duties as may reasonably be required by the CEO, Director of Services or the Organisation.
Requirements
- A minimum Level 8 Honours Degree (or equivalent) qualification relevant to the role.
- A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience working with children and young people, preferably within a domestic violence, child protection, family support, social care or related setting.
- Management and/or team leadership experience, including experience in staff supervision, practice development and supporting high-quality service delivery.
- Demonstrable understanding of child protection and safeguarding, including relevant Irish legislation, policies and best practice.
- A full, clean driving license and access to own transport, with the ability to travel between SDVS locations as required.
- Legal permission to work in Ireland.
Apply for the job
To apply, all candidates must submit their CV and Cover Letter before Wednesday, 16th of September 2026.
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis up until one week after the closing date for applications.
SDVS is an equal opportunities employer. All applications are treated in accordance with relevant GDPR/Data Protection legislation. SDVS does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies at present. Canvassing of SDVS employees will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
Pay: €1,308.76 per week
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company events
- Employee assistance program
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Do you have a minimum Level 8 Honours Degree (or equivalent) qualification relevant to the role? (Yes/No, please state type)
- Do you have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience working with children and young people, preferably within a domestic violence, child protection, family support, social care or related setting? (Yes/No, please state setting)
- Do you have management and/or team leadership experience? (Yes/No)
- Do you have a full driving license and access to your own transport? (Yes/No)
- Do you have legal permission to work in Ireland? (Yes/No)
Work Location: In person
