About COPE Galway
COPE Galway has been providing essential social services in Galway for60 years. We respond to the needs of people experiencinghomelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, and we supportolder people towards healthy, independent ageing. Our vision is for acommunity where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stageof life.
COPE Galway is deeply embedded in the Galwaycommunity. We are founded on the belief that together we can make a positivedifference in the lives of the people we serve and our community.
Our People
Our People, COPE Galway staffand volunteers, are the driving force behind everythingwe do. Their passion, commitment, and professionalism enable us to deliver awide range of services, support more people, and make a real impact in thecommunity.
We have a diverse range of roles, from frontlinesupport workers and social care professionals to catering, community engagementand other professional roles. Each role is crucial in ensuring we deliver ourservices effectively and make a positive impact in the community.
Working with COPE Galway
Joining our teammeans you will make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families andindividuals we support and contribute to driving meaningful social change inthe community. Whether you are a frontline worker directly supporting clientsor in an administrative role, you are vital to our efforts to address critical issues like homelessness and domestic abuse and toensure that older people are valued and supported.
At COPE Galway, we prioritise the development andwellbeing of our people. We offer a supportive work environment, withopportunities for ongoing training, personal and professional growth, andleadership development.
Our Culture
We foster an inclusive, supportive and respectfulworkplace, where diversity is valued. Our team is united by a sharedmission and a genuine passion for empowering people and creating meaningfulchange. We take a trauma-informed approach to the way we work and foster thisculture in every aspect of the organisation, including a focus on the healthand wellbeing of our staff.
Domestic Abuse Service
COPE Galway DomesticAbuse Service supports and empowers women, children and young people who aresubjected to domestic abuse. Based in Modh Eile House, we offer a range of services includinga 24/7 confidential helpline, safe refuge accommodation, outreach services throughout Galway,and court accompaniment. We also provide domestic abuse training andawareness programmes.
Our dedicated children and young peoples service, Solas Óg, provides one-to-one and grouptherapeutic supports for children and young people up to 25 years, and delivershealthy relationship workshops in schools and youth groups in Galway.
We listen, believeand support women, children and young people on their journey toward a lifefree from domestic abuse.
The Role
This role offers a unique opportunity to help develop an innovative, community-based model that bridges the gap between refuge accommodation and independent living, empowering survivors to build safe, sustainable futures within their communities COPE Galway is a Trauma Informed Organisation and Community Coordinator- Stepping Stone will lead the delivery of an innovative housing and support initiative for women and children moving from domestic abuse refuge accommodation towards independent living. The role will coordinate access to second-stage accommodation, support clients to build sustainable independence, and develop a community-based network of trained volunteers who provide practical life-skills support. The position is central to ensuring the Galway Stepping Stones Initiative remains survivor-focused, trauma-informed, solution-focused, community-integrated, and responsive to emerging needs. The role reflects the project's vision of moving domestic abuse support from an institutional response towards a community-based model of empowerment and recovery.
Client Assessment and Accommodation Coordination
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Identify and assess potential participants for the Galway Stepping Stones Initiative in collaboration with refuge and domestic abuse support teams.
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Work alongside clients to determine readiness for transitional accommodation and independent living.
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Develop individual transition and move-on plans that reflect each client's goals, strengths, wishes, and circumstances.
- Support clients to access housing, education, training, employment, health services and community resources.
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Ensure all engagement is survivor-led, voluntary, empowering and aligned with traumainformed principles.
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Maintain accurate records, assessments and support plans in line with organisational policies and GDPR requirements.
Volunteer Leadership and Development
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Recruit, train, supervise and support a team of community volunteers.
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Develop a skilled volunteer network capable of supporting clients with practical living skills, budgeting, tenancy sustainment, education access, transport and community integration.
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Ensure volunteers clearly understand safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries and referral pathways.
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Facilitate volunteer meetings, reflective practice sessions and ongoing learning opportunities.
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Monitor volunteer wellbeing and implement measures to prevent burnout and vicarious trauma.
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Foster a culture of innovation, care, learning and accountability amongst volunteers
Partnership and Community Engagement
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Build positive relationships with statutory agencies, community organisations, education providers, employers and local services.
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Develop strong partnerships that enhance opportunities for clients.
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Liaise with housing providers, local authority staff, community groups and relevant stakeholders to support successful tenancy outcomes.
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Support community awareness initiatives that challenge stigma and promote community responsibility in responding to domestic abuse.
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Participate in multi-agency meetings and represent the service as required.
Property Coordination and Support
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Coordinate client moves into and out of Stepping Stones accommodation.
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Support clients to develop practical skills relating to tenancy management, budgeting and household management.
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Work with clients to identify support needs at an early stage.
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Work collaboratively with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe, welcoming and trauma-informed living environments.
- Contribute to maintaining housing quality, client safety and operational standards.
Safeguarding and Quality
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Promote a culture of safety, dignity and respect.
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Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified and escalated appropriately.
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Work within all domestic abuse, child safeguarding, confidentiality and risk management procedures.
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Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and continuous service improvement.
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Actively seek feedback from clients and volunteers to enhance service quality and innovation.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
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Experience supporting individuals affected by domestic abuse, homelessness, social exclusion, trauma or related issues.
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Experience conducting assessments and developing support plans.
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Experience leading, supporting or supervising volunteers, peer mentors or community groups.
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Experience working collaboratively within multi-agency environments.
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Experience maintaining professional records and managing sensitive information.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
Trauma-Informed Practice
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Strong understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred approaches.
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Ability to create safe, empowering and non-judgemental environments.
Solution-Focused Approach
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Demonstrated ability to identify strengths, opportunities and practical pathways towards independence.
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Ability to support clients to achieve meaningful goals through collaborative planning.
Leadership and Relationship Building
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Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
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Ability to motivate, inspire and develop volunteers.
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Strong partnership-building and networking skills.
Innovation and Agility
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Ability to think creatively and identify innovative solutions to complex challenges.
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Adaptable and agile approach to emerging needs, service developments and changing environments.
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Commitment to continuous improvement and learning.
Organisational Skills
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Strong planning, time management and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
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Competent IT and record management skills.
Desirable
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Experience in domestic abuse services.
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Knowledge of housing and tenancy sustainment.
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Experience in volunteer management.
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Training in motivational interviewing, solution-focused practice or trauma-informed care.
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Understanding of the Irish domestic, sexual and gender-based violence policy landscape.
Core Competencies
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Survivor-Centred Mindset: Deep commitment to the principle Nothing About Us Without Us. Respect for lived experience as expertise.
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Ethical & Safeguarding Awareness: Understands the ethical considerations and safety risks involved in communicating with and about survivors of abuse.
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Collaborative Bridge-Builder: Able to work effectively between service delivery and creative teams, translating needs into sensitive outputs.
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Adaptability & Resilience: Comfortable working in a sensitive, sometimes emotionally demanding environment, with strong self-care practices.
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Detail-Oriented & Safety-Focused: Meticulous attention to detail, particularly regarding language, imagery, and digital safety.
Key Terms and Conditions
Hours Per Week: 18.5 hours per week
Location: Modh Eile House, Galway
Type of Contract: Specific Purpose Contract
Salary: Social Care Worker (With Qualifications)
We welcome applications from all who believe they can contribute to our mission, including those with lived experience of the issues we address.
EqualOpportunity Employer
COPE Galway is anequal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusiverecruitment process and working environments for all our employees.
Data Privacy and Applicant Declaration
The information youprovide in this application form will be processed in accordance with the EUGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Your personal data will be usedsolely for the purpose of assessing your suitability for the role and, whereapplicable, to prepare an employment agreement. Your data will be storedsecurely and accessed only by authorized personnel involved in the recruitmentprocess. We will retain your information only for as long as necessary tofulfill these purposes or as required by law. You have the right to access,rectify, or request the deletion of your personal data at any time bycontacting Data Protection Officer, [email protected] / 091 778 750.
Please note that wewill never ask for payment or personal financial information during the hiringprocess. If anyone contacts you requesting such information, it is a scam andshould be reported immediately.
By submitting thisapplication, I confirm that all information provided by me in this applicationand any accompanying documents is true and complete to the best of myknowledge. I further confirm that I have disclosed any previous employment withCOPE Galway, where applicable. I understand that if any information provided isfound to be false, misleading, or incomplete, my application may be rejected,any offer of employment withdrawn, or my employment with COPE Galwayterminated.
By submitting thisapplication, I consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance withCOPE Galways Privacy Policy. https://www.copegalway.ie/privacy-policy/
