South Dublin County Partnership is a local development company in South Dublin County. We develop and deliver projects to tackle poverty and social exclusion across the county. We do this through working together with people, local groups, and partner organisations to address the issues that matter most. Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) is a project of SDCP, tasked with providing a more coordinated approach to addressing substance misuse issues in Tallaght and Whitechurch. 

Detached youth work is a distinct form of youth work that engages the most at risk, marginalised young people, aged between 10-24yrs, on the streets rather than in a conventional youth work setting.

SDCP is seeking a Drugs & Alcohol Youth Worker to join the Connect4 Street Work Team in a busy and dynamic environment; to engage young people in the Killinarden and Jobstown areas of Tallaght that are effected/impacted by drug and alcohol use and related harm, in innovative, needs based, evidence informed programmes. Detached street work is a new and exciting area of work for TDATF and we are seeking individuals with a passion for supporting at risk young people and an understanding of the value of interagency work.

The position requires: an individual that can work as part of a team to engage with young people on the streets, particularly those who are vulnerable and at-risk of drug and alcohol related harm. The roles include relationship building, networking, one to one work, group work, mentoring, referrals, non-formal education programmes, advocacy, and goal focused work. Other duties will include reporting on the various programmes and interventions, interagency work, best practice.

Background

Killinarden is an area in West Tallaght that is made up of 27 Small Areas with an approximate population of 7,433. According to the Pobal Deprivation Index, 18 small areas in Killinarden are classed between disadvantaged and very disadvantaged. In 2017 Killinarden had the highest local area of unemployment in Tallaght (32.9%). 

Jobstown is an area in West Tallaght with a growing population of 17,824 (2016). It is the largest community and has the highest percentage of young people within the TDATF area. In 2017, the unemployment rate in Jobstown was 22.59%.

Both Killinarden and Jobstown have identified growing trends of increased drug trends among those most marginalised that has seen many young people become involved in drug use, drug dealing and activities that may cause significant risk to them. As a result, some young people have become more socially excluded within their communities. 

Target groups include:

• Young people not engaged in education, employment, or training.
• Young people socially isolated in their own community.
• Young people participating in risky anti-social behaviours.
• Young people significantly impacted by drug and alcohol use.
• Young people at risk of becoming involved in crime, including being recruited into the drugs trade.

JOB SUMMARY

The person will be required to work as part of the TDATF Team. The  Detached Street Work initiative will be managed day to day by a team leader and overseen by the TDATF Coordinator & CEO of SDCP. The main focus is to work with young people age 10 – 24 yrs effected/impacted by drug and alcohol use and related harm in the Killinarden and Jobstwon areas of Tallaght.

A key focus of the Detached Street Work Team is to reduce the risk of harm to the target group and actively promote alternative pathways.  This role will compliment the existing youth services in the Killinarden and Jobstown communities. The team will work in line with the ethos that underpins SDCP and its principles/values as a professional community organisation.

Evening work and flexibility will be required 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES

The Successful candidates will:

• Work with young people age 10 – 24yrs effected/impacted by substance misuse and substance related harm on the streets in named communites 
• Establish effective working relationships with the target group/individuals
• Establish effective working relationships with established drug/alcohol projects and youth services in Tallaght
• Develop various street work initiatives
• Liaise with and act as a positive role model within the local communities                                                                                       
• Assess local needs in conjunction with the TDATF/SDCP team and other local drug/alcohol services and develop work plan to effectively respond 
• Be flexible in approach and in allocating time to meet identified/emerging needs
• Use evidence informed models of intervention
• Provide appropriate and evidence baded information to young people 
• Develop and deliver drugs awareness workshops, targeted interventions, programmes & individual care plans for the specified target groups
• Offer support to young people and make refeerals where appropriate
• Operate in line with the ethos of SDCP and in line with Children First Guidelines
• Record the work programme and plans in line with SDCP procedures
• Engage fully with any recommended training that will improve outcomes for the target group
• Any other relevent duties as requested by the Board of TDATF and SDCP

INTERAGENCY WORK

• Members of the team have direct links into the sub committees of the Tallaght Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, to ensure young peoples voices are represented 
• The team advise of any new or emerging trends concerning young people and drug & alcohol use.
• The team is an integral to the work of SDCP and TDATF and will work in an interagency manner with the local youth services and drugs projects already established in Killinarden & Jobstown.    

SPECIFIC TARGETS

• Targeted early interventions to delay the onset on drug and alcohol use and / or the involvement in the local drug industry

  • Promote alternative positive lifestyle choices among young people who use or are impacted by drug and alcohol use
  • Engage and establish trusting relationships with young people where they gather, with the aim of reducing risk
  • Explore impacts & alternatives to drug dealing with young people
  • Connect with family and peers of target group
  • Signpost to services that can provide additional supports
  • Increase positive outcomes for young people ages 10 – 24 years in Tallaght 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILTIES

• To act consistently professional at all times
• To engage in regular supervision with line manager 
• To be flexible in working working hours
• To establish and maintain professional network
• To ensure the work is carried out in line with the SDCP ethos

REQUIREMENTS 

• A qualification on the National Framework in Youth Work or Youth & Community Work at Level 7 or above
• In addition: Drugs Theory & Intervention Skills, Addiction Studies, Diploma in Community Drug & Alcohol Work or similar 
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with the target group and outreach work would be a distinct advantage.
• Lised experience not essential but welcome

SALARY

The salary for this position will be based on each individual qualification and experience; 35 hour working week (full time).

Benefits of this position:

• Some flexible working available 
• Training opportunities as required 
• Opportunity to work with a progressive non-profit organisation, helping to improve the lives of young people in West Tallaght
• Access to HSF low-cost health insurance. 
• EAP Programme