Programme Assistant X2 – Limerick South
Limerick South Family Support Service
General Information
Why work at Barnardos?
At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience.
- Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
- Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
- Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work – life balance policy
- Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
- Employee pension scheme with employer contribution
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- An opportunity to help improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families by working in a trauma informed way
- Access to regular trauma informed support and supervision
- Ongoing support and access to training and professional development opportunities
- An opportunity to be part of a supportive team
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program for employees and their immediate family members
- Regular Breath, Body and mind sessions to support staff well-being
Barnardos has two family support projects in Limerick, one called Limerick South, based in Southill and the other called Limerick North, with bases in Moyross and Islandgate.
Barnardos services have the goals of improving the emotional well-being of children, and improving their capacity for learning and development. Barnardos is committed to interagency working and a partnership approach with families.
Barnardos Family Support Service offers direct support to families to address the needs of children. The types of intervention usually include individual work with a child and/or a parent; parent and child work; family work; group work with children and adults, drop-in information and advice, and community activities. The types of support provided often include parenting support, practical support, and support to children in terms of managing behaviour, identity work, self-esteem work, sibling work, and other issues as they arise.
What will the Programme Assistant do?
The Programme Assistant works to provide a safe, child-centered environment/experience to children attending. The Programme Assistant will work in either the Early Bird or Afterschool service.
Job Description
Post: Programme Assistant
Location: Limerick South, Early Bird or After-School Programmes
Responsible to: Project Co-ordinator
Works with: Staff and service users.
Job purpose
To provide a safe, child centred environment/experience to children in the context of the service in which you work and appropriate to the role.
Core Job Requirements
- To provide a safe and appropriate environment for children to participate in the service.
- To ensure all children attending the service receive an appropriate level of supervision.
- To support children attending to play and interact positively with other children.
- To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children.
- To immediately bring any concerns to the attention of the child’s Key Worker and the Designated Person and in keeping with Barnardos Child Protection Policy.
- To record concerns promptly and accurately.
- To gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role
- To supervise students and volunteers where necessary and to ensure they are aware of all Barnardos policies and compile placement reports as appropriate.
Requirements Specific to this Post
- To work collaboratively with our partners in the delivery of the Early Bird and Breakfast Club or Afterschool services.
- Expectation to lead a large group of children through homework completion and planning/delivering age appropriate activities
- To be competent in their approach to managing children’s behavior.
Requirements of all Barnardos staff
- Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations
- To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
- To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole
- To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner
- To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
- Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
- Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
- Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role.
- To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer.
- To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies.
- To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate
- To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time
- To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.
Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
- Commitment to provide a quality service to children
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Awareness of confidentiality and the ability to deal with sensitive issues including child protection concerns
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexibility and adaptability are essential attributes in this role.
Experience
- Experience of working with children for a minimum of 6 months is essential.
- Relevant voluntary work may be considered.
Qualification
Recognised qualification (minimum Level 5 on the QQI / NFQ) that is approved under the Early Years’ (Pre-school) Regulations.
The post-holder is initially assigned to work in Limerick South but may be required in the future to work in other project(s) in the Limerick area in line with Organisational needs.
Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Application Procedure
Download your application form
Shortlisting will apply (please note, CVs are not accepted on their own, candidates must complete and submit our application form through Barnardos website).
Candidates who are moved to the 2nd stage of our Recruitment process are required to complete a medical questionnaire and the E-Vetting process. References will also be taken up at this stage.
Vacancy Details
LOCATION
Limerick South Family Support Service
Employment Type
Part Time (19 hours per week) and Fixed Term Contract to July 2025
Salary
€13,523 - €16,295 DOE (This is the pro-rata salary for 19 hours)
Contact Person
Evelyn or Sheila on 061-319290
Closing Date
Interview Date
Tuesday 13th August