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
Modh Eile House offersshort-term, trauma-sensitive accommodation for women and children experiencingdomestic abuse. This role is part of a team that provides holistic,empowerment-based care, with a focus on collaborative goal-setting andsurvivor-defined outcomes with overnight support to ensure safety and continuity of care.
The overall aim ofModh Eile House is to prioritise the safety and welfare of the clientgroup.
Duties and responsibilities
- Support Work Planning and Implementation
- Provide warm, non-judgmental initial support to new clients, prioritising emotional safety and informed consent during needs/risk assessments.
- Co-create individualised care plans with women, centering their priorities and using a strengths-based, survivor-led approach.
- Respond to 24/7 helpline calls with a calm, non-judgmental presence, prioritising the callers immediate emotional and physical safety.
- Maintain confidential, trauma-sensitive records, ensuring women have access to their own information.
- Provide a comprehensive service to each client of the Service, in accordance with her needs, which may include support in budgeting, seeking accommodation, engaging with other services / agencies
- Accompany women to court/agencies only with explicit consent and after safety planning.
- Adapt communication and interventions to avoid triggering trauma responses (e.g., offer choices, explain processes clearly).
- Devise an after-care plan for women moving on from refuge
General
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Participate in the operation of the Service
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Work a variety of rostered shifts which include lateevenings, nights and weekend work, and is subject to change periodically
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Record and maintain records of any incidents and otherday to day issues in the appropriate systems of record
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Remain familiar with safety features of the Serviceincluding the fire alarm system and other fire safety equipment
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Comply with Staff Code of Conduct
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Comply with all health and safety checks as required,including fire drills when scheduled
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Be pro-active with regard to keeping updated aboutchanges in all areas relating to work such as social welfare, housing, legal,immigration, legislation etc
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Undertake any other duties as assigned bymanagement
Welfare ofWomen and Children
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Foster a calm, predictable environment in the refuge(e.g., minimise loud noises, provide clear routines).
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Normalise reactions to trauma: Validate emotions andavoid pathologising behaviours.
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Collaborate with Solas Óg team to ensurechild-centered, trauma-aware support for children.
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Ensure that any discussions and information pertainingto women and children is kept strictly confidential in accordance with the COPEGalway Code of Practice
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Work in accordance with the Safeguarding and relatedpolicies
You and yourteam
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Participate in trauma-informed supervision andreflective practice sessions.
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Model self-care and boundaries to promote sustainablepractices for staff and clients.
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Engage in community education that challengesvictim-blaming, and centers survivor voices.
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Participate in regular trauma-informed supervisionthat prioritises emotional processing, not just case management.
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Engage in reflective practice sessions to examinepower dynamics, implicit biases, and systemic barriers in servicedelivery.
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Normalise vulnerability: Model sustainable self-carepractices (e.g., boundary-setting, breaks) to reduce burnout culture.
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Proactively identify trauma-specific training needs(e.g., neurobiology of trauma, cultural safety).
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Participate in debriefing sessions after criticalincidents, led by a facilitator trained in vicarious trauma.
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Confidentiality with care: Balance privacy withethical transparency (e.g., "Whats shared here stays here, unless safetyis at risk").
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Emotional regulation: Use team agreements Boundaryaccountability: Flag boundary crossings promptly in supervision (e.g.,over-identification with clients).
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Clarify roles with explicit attention to powerdifferentials (e.g., how decision-making is shared across positions).
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Distribute leadership: Rotate facilitation of meetingsto empower all staff voices.
Health andSafety
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Take reasonable care for personal safety, health andwelfare, and that of others who may be affected by actions or omissions
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Co-operate with the employer in relation to compliancewith statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act,1989 & 2005
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Use protective equipment, clothing or other means forsecuring the safety, health and welfare of employees
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Report to management, without delay, any defects inthe workplace, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger
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Ensure that Health and Safety policy and procedures asper the COPE Galway Health and Safety Ensure that you are familiar with thefire safety procedures in place at Modh Eile House including the fire wardenduties and responsibilities in the event of a fire occurring and evacuation ofthe premises in such an event and when fire drills are being conducted.
EssentialRequirements
The ideal candidatewill have a proven interest and experience in the area of Domestic Violence andwill have worked in a similar type Service.
EssentialRequirements:
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A relevant third level qualification in social care orsimilar
- Knowledge of Domestic Violence and its impact on womenand children
DesirableRequirements:
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Lived experience of marginalisation or allyship withmarginalised communities.
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Previous experience of working in a domestic violenceservice
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An interest in the area of violence against women andrelated gender equality issues and a commitment to its eradication
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Demonstrated understanding of traumas impacts on thebrain, body, and behaviour.
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While lived experience is not a requirement for any role in COPE Galway, we do welcome applications from people with lived experience in relation to the services we provide to our clients. We will not ask anyone to disclose their personal experiences, nor ask intrusive questions of those who do
Skills andAbilities:
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A demonstrable attitude of warmth, patience andacceptance for every woman and child who reaches out to thisService
- Being kind
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Active listening without judgment; ability to sit withdiscomfort and avoid "fixing."
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Advocacy rooted in intersectionality (awareness ofracism, disability, issues, etc.).
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Flexibility: Adapt support to each womans cultural,linguistic, and emotional needs.
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Self-awareness: Recognise personal triggers andbiases; commit to ongoing learning.
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An ability to work pro-actively and reflectively toensure best practice in all areas of service delivery
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Strong ICT skills
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A commitment to providing the highest level of qualityservice
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A high-level of initiative and openness tochallenges
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A high level of integrity, trust and respect
KeyTerms and conditions:
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Hours: 37 hours per week
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Contract: Permanent
- Pay Scale: Social Care Scale, Point 1
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Salary: €39,100.88
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Method of Pay: Monthly by credit transfer
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/
