Salary: €36,587 - €40,245 depending on experience 

Hours: Full-time or Part-time, 35 hrs per week 

Reporting To: Family Support Service Coordinator 

Supported By: Youth Services Department Education, Training and Community Practice Department 

Term: 1-year fixed term contract, renewable subject to funding and performance 

Starting Date: ASAP 

Application Deadline: 10am Monday 21st July 

Overview 

Belong To’s vision is for a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young people are safe to shine and can confidently shape their own futures. We work with LGBTQ+ young people as equals to achieve our vision and create a society where we all belong. We do this through youth work, community engagement, changing attitudes, and research. 

Our core values are those of inclusion, integrity, and respect, in an environment of honesty and openness. Our purpose is to create a welcoming, supportive, safe and fun spaces for LGBTQ+ young people. We are committed to collaboration and youth participation. We believe in solidarity and intersectional equality, and our work focuses on human rights and social justice. We are dedicated to continuous improvement in everything we do. 

Belong To launched its Family Support Service in 2024, providing supports to individual families and sharing information through webinars and other resources. The Family Support Officer is the primary point of contact for families accessing the service, engaging in direct supports and facilitating peer support groups.  

Staff Benefits 

Belong To provides staff members with an array of benefits and supports that increase their financial security, health, and well-being. We also support staff members to develop professionally and promote a healthy work life balance. Some of these discretionary benefits and supports include: 

• Paid time off, including 26 holiday days, and following successful completion of probation access to our discretionary sick leave, parental leave, and bereavement leave schemes 

• Educational assistance programmes (including paid study/ exam leave and an educational fund towards the costs of fees) 

• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) covering you, and your loved ones. 

• A death in service benefit which will pay a lump sum of x4 times your salary to your loved ones in the event of your untimely passing 

• Family flexible working hours 

• Hybrid Working arrangements 

• Tax saver tickets and cycle to work scheme 

• Staff coaching and mentoring programmes

• Staff training and development opportunities 

• Staff wellness programmes 

• Pension contributions (upon completion of 6-month probationary period) 

Key Responsibilities and Duties 

• Conduct initial assessments and develop individualised support plans to address the unique needs of each family accessing the service. 

• Facilitate peer support groups for families to enhance understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues. 

• Offer guidance and education to families on topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out, healthcare and mental health. 

• In collaboration with the Family Support Service Coordinator, design engagement plans to reach diverse family types and families from religious and diverse cultural backgrounds. 

• Provide support to families in times of distress or conflict related to LGBTQ+ issues. 

• Stay up to date with current research, best practices, and legal developments concerning LGBTQ+ youth and families.

• Maintain accurate date records and files in accordance with national guidelines, procedures and Children First (2017). 

• Develop and deliver face-to-face and online information sessions, workshops and educational programmes for families. 

• Devise innovative ways of supporting families and extended communities through the creation of safe spaces that meet service users’ needs. 

• Liaise with external professionals seeking support to deliver services that meet the needs of families of LGBTQ+ young people. 

• Represent Belong To on working groups and committees. 

• Collaborate with external stakeholders and organisations to develop an interagency approach to working with families of LGBTQ+ young people. Note This job description is not a definitive list of tasks; rather it is designed to give an overview of the job. It is envisaged that the post-holder will use their own initiative and develop the job under guidance so that the organisations aims are achieved. It should be noted that the organisation is dynamic and fast paced and it may be necessary to step beyond the areas outlined above to support others from time to time. 

Functional Competencies Essential 

• Qualification in a relevant discipline at QQI Level 6 or above. 

• At least 2 years’ relevant experience. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to lead group discussions and peer support groups. 

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills. 

• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively. 

• Excellent facilitation skills and experience of public speaking. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other IT skills. Desirable 

• Experience working with young people from disadvantaged communities who are at risk. 

• Experience working with databases, e.g. Salesforce. 

• Experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and families, particularly youth.

• Knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues, including sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out and family dynamics. 

• Experience with crisis intervention and conflict resolution.