ORGANISATION
Southside Partnership DLR CLG is a local development company working towards an inclusive and just society where each person is encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential and live with dignity in active, healthy, sustainable and safe communities.
We provide a comprehensive range of supports and services to individuals and communities through several funded programmes, including:
- SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) 2024–2028
- Tusla and HSE funded family and wellbeing programmes
- Changing Lives DLR philanthropic partnership initiatives
- Dept Of Social Protection funds our LAES, Tús and CE (Community Employment) Employment Programmes
Values in action
At Southside Partnership, our work is guided by four core values:
- Integrity & Accountability – We act with honesty, reliability, and professionalism, taking responsibility for our actions and ensuring our work is consistent, trustworthy, and ethical.
- Community & Inclusion – We believe in the power of community and strive to foster diverse, inclusive, and cooperative spaces that ensure fairness, collaboration, and a shared sense of belonging.
- Growth & Learning Mindset – We are committed to continuous improvement, open mindedness, and innovative thinking, embracing curiosity, ambition, and creativity to adapt and lead in a changing world.
- Compassion & Wellbeing – We lead with empathy and care, nurturing environments where people feel valued, supported, and connected, promoting balance, health, and human dignity.
ROLE
The Children and Families Development Worker is a new role, reflecting Southside Partnership’s
commitment to a connected pathway of support for children and families across Dún Laoghaire–
Rathdown — from pregnancy to school going age. The Children and Families Development Worker
will work across two programme areas within the Children, Young People and Families team.
The development worker will provide home visits using the Preparing for Life (PFL) programme with
families living within designated areas of disadvantage in Loughlinstown and Ballybrack. The
development worker will also co-facilitate two PEEP groups in Dunlaoghaire Rathdown area in
collaboration with our partner agencies.
Key areas of work include:
- Working as part of the PEEP+DLR interagency team to contribute to the Southside Partnership DLR strategic plan 2026-2031.
- Actively working with current and new referral partners e.g. Public Health Nurse, Early Childhood Education Care settings, Family Resource Centre’s and community groups to support engagement of more marginalised parents and babies/toddlers in the PEEP+ community-based groups.
- Lead 2 weekly PEEP groups, with an interagency partner, ensuring fidelity to the PEEP model, while remaining adaptable to the group needs.
- Attend and actively engage in quarterly DLR PEEP Community of Practice meetings.
- Undertaking relevant training as it arises: PEEP; Preparing for Life, other training as relevant to the role.
- Reporting and capturing impact of work.
Preparing For Life (PFL)
Purpose of Role:
Working in line with the Southside Partnership (SSP) Code of Conduct, Policies and Procedures, the
Home Visitor will work to a clearly outlined programme manual with the expectation of delivering the
following outcomes for children, parents and their families.
Key outcomes will include:
- Support their child’s developmental milestones physically, psychologically and emotionally,
and in their educational, speech and motor skills.
- Year-on-year improvements in parent’s psychological health, aspirations for their child, and
their parenting skills.
- Improved school readiness.
- Improved parenting and enjoyment of parenting.
Home Visitors will deliver these objectives by:
- Enabling families towards self-reliance in meeting their own needs.
- Enabling families to meet the development needs of their child.
- Ensuring families have access to information on available services and are enabled to utilise these services in an effective and timely fashion.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (include but not limited to)
General
- Adhere to the Programme Manual’s for Preparing for Life and PEEP programmes.
- Participate in the planning, delivery and evaluation of both programme implementation as per the programme manual and Southside Partnership Policies and Procedures.
- Participate in team training, supervision and appraisals.
- Carry out various operational duties, such as diary management, team and system updates to ensure the smooth running of the team.
Family Support
- Work with a caseload of families as directed by the Children Young People and Family team leader. This work will take place both in the family home and in various other locations in the community.
- Assess the family’s needs to identify support delivery.
- Set clear ground rules as to the role; clearly communicate the breadth of the Home Visitors’ remit to avoid unrealistic expectations.
- Support parents/children to access appointments with various specialists as appropriate and accompany parents/children at these appointments where necessary. At all times work to support parents to be proactive in their parenting role to avoid creating a dependency by parents on the mentor (boundary management).
- Develop quality relationships with families based on mutual respect, clear communication, integrity, honesty and confidentiality.
- Mentor families through the delivery of a ‘set of messages and skills as laid down in the programme manual.
- Support parents/families to develop their confidence and self-sufficiency in child rearing through positive feedback, role modelling, ongoing constructive discussion and one-to-one mentoring
Case Management
- Maintain case files for each family and complete reports as required by the programme or evaluators in line with Freedom of Information guidelines. Home Visitors will record all required data on the PFL database designed for the programme.
- Liaise and collaborate with other project personnel and personnel from other agencies as appropriate.
- Participate and contribute in case study workshops and team meetings.
Other
- Performing any other duties assigned from time to time by the Team Leader or programme manager.
REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates are encouraged to apply for this role with the requirement that they can demonstrate both the relevance of their skills and experience. It is likely that the person appointed will demonstrate a genuine commitment to Southside Partnership’s values and vision. SSP is committed to implementing a Growth & Learning Mindset – We are committed to continuous improvement, open mindedness, and innovative thinking, embracing curiosity, ambition, and creativity to adapt and lead in a changing world.
The successful candidate will ideally have the skills and attributes as detailed below.
Qualifications
- Degree (level 7) in early childhood education, social care, health, Youth and Community, or equivalent work experience Essential Experience/Knowledge
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in child development.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in supporting clients through a mentoring and coaching approach.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with families in a range of settings, including homes, particularly in an area of disadvantage.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Children First and Child Protection procedures.
Desirable Experience / Knowledge:
- Knowledge of existing statutory services within the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area.
- Experience in managing a caseload and maintaining appropriate documentation.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for this position, please submit your CV and a Cover letter outlining why you believe you are suitable for this role by email to HumanResources@sspship.ie before close of business on Friday 3rd July 2026. Please include “Children and Families Development Worker – Application” as the email subject for your application.
Please note that:
- Southside Partnership DLR CLG. is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
- Southside Partnership DLR CLG. does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
- No late applications will be accepted, and canvassing will lead to disqualification.
- Any offer will be subject to satisfactory references and Garda vetting as appropriate.
- All applicant data will be treated securely as per GDPR and the Data Protection Acts.
