Job Title
Therapeutic Social Worker or Social Care Leader
Department
Placement Support Project Cork
Applications considered Via
Application form only - Available in Careers section at https://childhood-matters.ie/
Opening date for Applications
14.05.2026
Closing Date for Applications
5pm, 30th June 2026
Proposed Interview date(s)
TBD
Location of Post
Childhood Matters, Bessborough, Cork.
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. This service is also expanding into Kerry, teams 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.
Reporting Relationship
The successful candidate will report to the Clinical Lead for the Service. There is also clinical supervision available from other Social Workers/Therapists in the organization.
Duties and Responsibilities
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.
Eligibility Criteria Qualifications
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.
Remuneration
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.
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the whole time equivalent of this post is 37.5 hours.
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the whole time equivalent of this post is: 25 days pro rata
Probation
A probationary period of 6 months will apply
Additional Benefits
- Defined contribution pension scheme.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity benefit
- Additional Annual leave days
- Comprehensive annual CPD schedule
- Financial support for further education
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Blackrock, County Cork: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience in Social Work under Coru Registration, either mental health, child and adolescent mental health, or paediatrics.
Do you have experience as a Social Care Worker/Leader with young people and families
Education:
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- CORU Registration (required)
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
