About COPE Galway

COPE Galway has been providing essential social services in Galway for 60 years.  We respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, and we support older people towards healthy, independent ageing. Our vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life. 

COPE Galway is deeply embedded in the Galway community. We are founded on the belief that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve and our community.​

Our People

Our People, COPE Galway staff and volunteers, are the driving force behind everything we do. Their passion, commitment, and professionalism enable us to deliver a wide range of services, support more people, and make a real impact in the community.

We have a diverse range of roles, from frontline support workers and social care professionals to catering, community engagement and other professional roles. Each role is crucial in ensuring we deliver our services effectively and make a positive impact in the community.​

Working with COPE Galway

Joining our team means you will make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families and individuals we support and contribute to driving meaningful social change in the community. Whether you are a frontline worker directly supporting clients or in an administrative role, you are vital to our efforts to address critical issues like homelessness and domestic abuse and to ensure that older people are valued and supported.

At COPE Galway, we prioritise the development and wellbeing of our people. We offer a supportive work environment, with opportunities for ongoing training, personal and professional growth, and leadership development.​

Our Culture

We foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace, where diversity is valued. Our team is united by a shared mission and a genuine passion for empowering people and creating meaningful change. We take a trauma-informed approach to the way we work and foster this culture in every aspect of the organisation, including a focus on the health and wellbeing of our staff.​

Homeless Services

COPE Galway Homeless Service supports families and individuals in Galway who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We provide residential and non-residential services, including a day centre, street outreach, supported temporary accommodation and seasonal cold weather responses. Our family services offer family-focused support, emergency accommodation, and specific developmental support for children. Our resettlement service and Housing First programme teams work with individuals moving on from homelessness to secure long-term housing.​

Summary:

The Project Worker will provide practical assistance and support to individuals and/or families engaged with COPE Galway Homeless Services. The focus of this role is on helping service users to source and secure appropriate accommodation, and, where appropriate, supporting them in addressing health and care needs.

This position offers an opportunity to develop experience and skills across a range of COPE Galway’s homeless services in Galway City, including:

• Short-Term Accommodation facilities for individuals and families
• Support for those residing in Private Emergency Accommodation (PEA)
• A Day Centre and Outreach service for people at risk of rough sleeping
• Resettlement, Tenancy Support, and Community-Based Housing
• Seasonal Cold Weather Response initiatives

The successful candidate will be assigned to work within COPE Galway’s Homeless Services based on organisational need, which may involve periodic rotation across services. Initially, they will be placed in the service specified in the job advert.

In each service, the Project Worker will carry a key working caseload, taking responsibility for individual care and case management. While on duty, they will work as part of a team to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the service. They will also contribute to embedding COPE Galway’s values and a trauma-informed approach across all aspects of service delivery.

Current vacant assignments are:

• Family Services x 1 (Contract 1 Year Fixed Term Full Time)
• Family Services X1 (Specific Purpose 18.5 Hours Part Time)​

Duties & Responsibilities

Client Services & Support

• To process referrals made to the service
• To conduct assessments in a professional, sensitive and appropriate manner
• To intensively work with clients to source and secure accommodation including supporting clients to move on to long-term permanent housing both in terms of securing independent tenancies and putting the supports in place in their communities.
• To, through the key working process, support clients to access local services such as medical, welfare, training, education and employment service
• To provide practical support and assistance to clients
• To assist all clients with health, safety and general welfare
• To actively engage with and facilitate clients in accessing a broad range of services including housing, health, welfare, education and training and leisure services aimed at integrating clients into the community
• To work with all clients and endeavour to win their trust and respect, be proactive in addressing difficult or problematic situations as they arise in a sensitive and direct manner within the framework of the organisational policies and procedures
• To support clients to address interpersonal issues
• To work in partnership with clients, promoting self-advocacy and when necessary, advocate on client’s behalf
• To promote opportunities for clients to use their own strengths and expertise to enable them to address their homelessness.

​Service Operation & Development

• To ensure the day-to-day operations of the project run smoothly and in accordance with the policies and procedures and the values of COPE Galway
• To ensure a safe, welcoming and friendly environment is established and maintained
• To ensure that clients are consulted and involved in the operation of the service to the greatest practical extent
• To respond to difficult or problematic situations in a sensitive manner and within the framework of the Organisation’s policies and procedures
• To be flexible in the delivery of the service including implementing interventions in the area of prevention of the breakdown of clients stays in their accommodation.
• To work effectively both within the team and as a lone worker
• To adhere to all of COPE Galway’s policies and procedures
• To work in line with NQSF (National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services)
• To adhere at all times to the COPE Galway Child Protection and Welfare Policy & Procedure and the Children First Guidelines
• To ensure that all incidents, events and handovers are recorded using the systems in place
• To ensure that confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the COPE Galway Data Protection Policies and Procedures and agreed information sharing protocols
• To use the database systems in place including PASS (Pathway Accommodation & Support System)
• To maintain domestic, health, and hygiene standards in the building at the highest standards including engaging in cleaning standards as required.
• To work positively and effectively as a member of a team and the wider Organisation
• To attend and contribute to team meetings, supervision and other meetings as required
• To communicate effectively and respectfully with colleagues and clients
• To maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agencies
• To contribute to the fostering of positive relations with the local community and in particular with those living in the immediate neighbourhood by responding to enquiries made to the project
• To be committed to and contribute to ongoing service development.
• To continue to learn and develop professionally through participating in training and workshops
• To undertake specific roles within the service assigned/deployed to and/or organisationally as required (e.g. Health and Safety representative) and within the wider organisation
• To carry out any other reasonable duties as requested​

Experience & Core Competencies

• A minimum of two years experience of working with vulnerable communities
• A recognised third-level qualification (minimum level 8) in social care/related field or CORU registered social care worker.
• A commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of COPE Galway
• A full clean drivers license and access to own car
• An understanding of the nature of homelessness and of the complex needs of homeless families
• Integrity and an ability to build trusting and respectful professional relationships
• An understanding of a broad range of issues including equity, inclusion, diversity, homelessness, mental health, addiction, trauma, children’s needs, relationship and family breakdown, poverty and social exclusion    
• Good written and oral communication and I.T. skills
• A full clean driving license and access to own transportation
• Strong Interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Strong advocacy skills
• A receptiveness to feedback from clients and colleagues
• An ability to contribute to the prevention and management of challenging behaviours and effective skills in dealing with challenging and pressurised situations
• Resilience and a positive outlook
• Leadership and problem-solving skills
• A practical common-sense approach
• An ability to understand, prevent and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour
• An openness to change

Other:

Please note, that a full clean driving license and access to own vehicle is required for some assignments. Where this is the case, it will be clearly stated on the advert​

Key Terms and Conditions

• Contract Period: 1 years (dependent on role - see above)
• Salary: Starting salary of €36,392 per annum pro rata
• Method of Pay: Monthly by credit transfer
• Annual Leave: 24 days per annum pro rata​

Equal Opportunity Employer

COPE Galway is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environments for all our employees.