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  • Social Worker July 2025

Social Worker

Administrative, Professional and Technical
Professionally Qualified Housing Welfare Officer
€54,662 - €71,641 LSI 1
Advertised Date: 16 Jul 2025
Annual Salary
Carlow
Permanent
Closing Date: 08 Aug 2025, 12:00 PM
Visit Recruiter Site to Apply
Visit Recruiter Site to Apply

Job Summary

Carlow County council invite applications from suitably qualified candidates for the  Post of Social Worker.

The role/duties of the Social Worker:
The role of local authority Social Work within housing has changed over time in light of emerging needs of vulnerable groups and clients. The role has expanded and evolved historically from a Traveller specific role to responding to a broader base of referrals where assessment and intervention is required.  Social Work provides a housing related service including responsive and preventative work. LA Social Workers respond to referrals in respect of:
 

  • Existing tenants / Applicants
  • Older persons
  • Travellers
  • Vulnerable adults work (Safeguarding)
  • Child Welfare cases
  • Disability cases (Intellectual, Physical, Sensory & Autism) including Children’s Disability cases
  • Mental Health
  • Homelessness & HAP claimants”- LGMA LA Survey Jan 2024
  • LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex)
  • Other marginalised and vulnerable individuals and groups such as refugees and asylum seekers.

In addition to the above, professionally qualified Social Work staff respond to cases regarding family needs assessments, crisis intervention, bereavement and loss, Advocacy and concerns regarding capacity of clients (Assisted Decision Making “Capacity” Act 2015). The profession of Social Work involves supporting individuals and families who are experiencing difficulty in coping which is impacting on their ability to function. This may be due to, emotional issues, illness, general coping ability, lack of social supports, addictions, mental health, disability, ageing, personal or interpersonal relationship problems. The work involves assessing what the issues are and firstly identifying solutions with the client(s) themselves utilising a strengths-based approach and making referrals and recommendations regarding service delivery as appropriate.


The role of the professionally qualified Social Worker is additionally outlined as follows:
  • The provision of Social Work and welfare services to housing applicants and housing tenants with particular emphasis on key target groups as outlined above. The role is to support clients of Social Housing sections in attaining and sustaining tenancies with strong emphasis on inter-agency working to support the Housing client.
  • Responding to cases that have been assigned by the Senior Social Worker utilising a referrals and caseload management system.
  • Social Workers carry out evidenced based, holistic assessments utilising a systems, strengths based approach and trauma informed approach to determine needs and appropriate interventions to assist in informing service delivery. This may be completed as part of an initial Social Work referral or as part of a changing need for existing, open cases. Assessment can be a once off piece or an ongoing process in determining needs and planning interventions for longer term clients. Assessments take place when cases are referred or re-referred. Intervention and assessment should identify a clear purpose for input, analysis of information and evidence-based recommendations to assist with and inform service delivery. Social Work assessments are valuable processes to have available within local authority housing sections to inform appropriate responses on cases. They contribute significantly to Social Housing assessments when required on referred cases thus leading to better outcomes for clients.
  • Engage with persons referred for Social Work intervention/support and arrange for engagement with (external) agencies as determined.
  • Support the work of Action Teams within the local authority, homeless, disability etc.
  • Undertake needs assessments for housing applicants and housing tenants, including the key target groups, seeking accommodation supports.
  • Make recommendations on allocations of social housing (include AHB nominations) with particular emphasis on the key target groups, as outlined above.
  • Ensure best practice in terms of child safeguarding within Council activities and act as Child Protection Liaison Officer and Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) on behalf of the Council.
  • In line with professional social worker standards, maintain appropriate records and generate reports on clients and other projects as required.
  • Receive referral from housing colleagues where the estate management/anti-social behaviour issues are determined to require social work intervention and to work with the client/tenant to address the issues arising including referral to external agencies.
  • Liaise with agencies (including but not limited to the HSE, TUSLA, Probation service, Irish Prison Services, An Garda Siochána, etc.) to support the needs of housing clients, and attend inter-agency meetings and case conferences as required.
  • Undertake the duties of the Designation Liaison Person as per Carlow County Council’s Child Protection Policy and 2015 Children First Act. Ensure best practice in terms of child safeguarding within Council activities.
  • Advise and assist in miscellaneous family and personal problems, including relations between tenants.
  • As required, advise and make recommendations to the local authority on the formulation of policy with a focus on the accommodation of housing customers particularly the marginalised and vulnerable throughout the county.
  • Participate in the review of the statutory Traveller Accommodation Plan.
  • Co-ordinate the various sections of the local authority in regard to service provision for housing customers particularly the key target groups and co- ordinate these services with those of voluntary organisations engaged in work on behalf of these clients.
  • Review policies under the direction and support of the Senior Executive Officer/Director of Service and assist in their implementation for marginalised and vulnerable housing clients.
  • Assist in the implementation of new and existing initiatives on all housing related matters.
  • To undertake additional training and continued professional development as required.
  • Any other duties that may be assigned.




 

Character
Each candidate shall be of good character.


Health
Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.


Education, Training, Experience
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: -

  1. Hold a professional qualification in Social Work prescribed under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended); or
  2. Have a letter of Validation issued by CORU/National Social Work Qualifications Board;
  3. Be eligible for registration with CORU;
  4. Possess a high standard of administrative and management experience; and
  5. Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation.

The successful candidate will be required to satisfy the Local Authority that they are registered with CORU before a formal offer of employment is made.

The ideal candidate shall through their application form and at interview:
  • Possess excellent professional experience, knowledge and skills
  • Experience of social work within a housing context
  • Knowledge and experience of crisis intervention
  • Knowledge and experience of a range of social work models/interventions
  • Experience of working with vulnerable adults
  • Experience in relation to child protection
  • Experience in engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and maintaining good working relationships
  • Project management
  • Dealing effectively with conflicting demands
  • Working under pressure to tight deadlines
  • Liaising with (external) agencies
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent leadership and decision making skills
  • Ability to work independently or within multi-disciplinary teams
  • Problem solving skills
  • Planning and organisational skills
  • Possess strong ICT and presentation skills
  • A good understanding of safety management in the workplace including Health & Safety legislation and regulations.

Citizenship:
Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:
  1. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
  2. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
  3. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
  4. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa: or
  5. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or
  6. A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa


Driving Licence:
The holder of the post MUST hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement or disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.  If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately. 


Candidates must also:
  • have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned
  • be suitable on the grounds of character
  • be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:
  • agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed
  • are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position

 

Employer Details

  • Carlow County Council

Contact Details

Human Resources Section
Carlow County Council
County Buildings, Athy Road
Carlow
R93 E7R7

+353599172410 hr@carlowcoco.ie
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