Domestic Abuse Service Relief Support Worker

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.

Domestic Abuse Service

COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service supports and empowers women, children and young people who are subjected to domestic abuse. Based in Modh Eile House, we offer a range of services including a 24/7 confidential helpline, safe refuge accommodation, outreach services throughout Galway, and court accompaniment. We also provide domestic abuse training and awareness programmes.

Our dedicated children and young people's service, Solas Óg, provides one-to-one and group therapeutic supports for children and young people up to 25 years, and delivers healthy relationship workshops in schools and youth groups in Galway.

We listen, believe and support women, children and young people on their journey toward a life free from domestic abuse.

Duties and responsibilities:

A) General

• • Participate in the operation of the Service
  • Work with women who seek support, including making admissions or referrals as appropriate and as per policy guidelines
  • Participate in the induction of new guests into the refuge
  • Ensure family files are properly maintained and all records are updated and maintained, in accordance with policy and practice
  • Provide a comprehensive service to each client of the Service, in accordance with her needs, which may include support in budgeting, seeking accommodation, engaging with other services / agencies
  • Work with clients of the Service, resident or not, in considering the dynamics of the abuse which they have experienced and in examining paths forward in line with the client's wishes
  • Accompany women to the courthouse to apply for legal protection as appropriate and carry out court preparation with women as required
  • Accompany women to other agencies if appropriate and in accordance with any risk assessments in place
  • Record and maintain records of any incidents and other day to day issues in the appropriate systems of record
  • Keep other staff on duty fully informed of such incidents and issues
  • Compile statistics, and record relevant information as required
  • Comply with all procedures and guidelines relating to financial matters within the Service
  • Remain familiar with safety features of the Service including alarm systems and fire safety equipment
  • Comply with all health and safety checks as required
  • Participate in fire drills when scheduled
  • Be pro-active with regard to keeping updated about changes in all areas relating to work such as social welfare, housing, legal, immigration etc
  • Undertake any other duties as assigned by management

B) Welfare of Women and Children

• • Ensure that the Service has a friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere for the Service users
  • Be respectful, courteous and patient with women and children at all times and in all circumstances
  • Offer emotional support to women who require it
  • Address the issues and needs, which women may present to you in the course of your dealings with them
  • Consult and liaise with external voluntary, statutory and professional agencies as appropriate in relation to the needs of individual families
  • Advocate on behalf of women and children with a range of relevant agencies and organisations in the context of a gendered analysis of Domestic Violence
  • Encourage and support women in taking responsibility and contributing to their own welfare needs and ensure that women are fully involved in decisions affecting them
  • Keep written records of actions taken in addressing the issues and needs of families, as per systems and policy
  • Support key working with clients as assigned, supporting the conducting of needs assessments and care plans as appropriate
  • Be proactive about seeking feedback from women on the service they receive and support them to become involved in the service as per the COPE Galway Client Involvement Policy
  • Ensure that any information given to women is appropriate and in accordance with COPE Galway policy guidelines
  • Work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the service and the wider organisation while ensuring that any discussions/issues regarding these are raised and dealt with in the appropriate forum
  • Liaise with management with regard to the aftercare of families
  • Engage as required on designated tasks with the SURF (Service User Refuge Forum) forum
  • Ensure that any discussions and information pertaining to women and children is kept strictly confidential in accordance with the COPE Galway Code of Practice
  • Work in accordance with the Safeguarding and related policies

C) Staffing

• Participate in the supervision provided by the Manager or Co-ordinator or other relevant persons
• Participate in group supervision/reflective practice sessions as required
• Contribute a positive attitude to both practice and organisational issues
• Participate in appropriate training programmes as directed by the Manager or Co-ordinator
• Inform the Manager and Co-ordinator of significant issues and incidents relating to the operation of the Service
• Ensure that any staff discussions are kept strictly confidential
• Have good self-awareness and the ability to manage personal emotions that may arise during working hours in an appropriate manner that is consistent with organisational policies and procedures
• Monitor personal behaviour and ensure that it is professional and appropriate to the workplace at all times
• Ensure a focus on client issues during team discussions, reflective practice sessions and general discussions on practice issues
• Ensure a non-judgemental, non-discriminatory approach in the work at all times
• Seek support/supervision as soon as possible for any boundary issues that may arise in the work identified by yourself, by other team members or by the Manage
• Contribute constructively to team discussions, while allowing space for others to do likewise
• Have a clear understanding of the Manager's role and take direction as required
• Contribute to a positive working environment for all colleagues
• Engage in ongoing reflection on practice as required from both a personal and team perspective
• Have a flexible and solution oriented approach that seeks to resolve issues in a constructive and collaborative manner

D) The Community

• Endeavour to publicise and promote the work of Modh Eile House and the other services provided by COPE Galway
• Contribute to the fostering of positive relations with the local community in addressing and responding to enquiries made to the Refuge
• Contribute to team discussions on and participate in fundraising events as appropriate

E) Health and Safety

• • Take reasonable care for personal safety, health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by actions or omissions
  • Co-operate with the employer in relation to compliance with statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.2005
  • Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing the safety, health and welfare of employees
  • Report to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger
  • Be proactive in the area of self care with regard to identifying any impacts of the work and bring these to the attention of Managers
  • Ensure that Health and Safety policy and procedures as per the COPE Galway Health and Safety Manual are fully adhered to
  • Ensure that high standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained in the Service

Key Terms of Employment

Contract: 2 Year Fixed Term

Annual Leave: 8% of hours worked

Salary: Social Care Worker (with Qualifications)

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.