Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Working Life

Family Support Services can help.  Simply having someone to talk to about your problem can be the easiest way to begin to deal with your problem.

There are many support groups for adults, teenagers, children and carers that give people the chance to tell their own stories and give support to each other.

Specialist services provide support for domestic violence or child abuse.

Family Support services are generally provided to families in their own homes and community centre around Ireland Tusla Community resource centres.  

• Assist in enabling parents/guardians/carers/families to sustain the safe care of their children in the home setting.
• Work with a caseload/workload assigned by their line manager. This may involve working closely with a number of families with varying support needs.
• The level of work required will take into account the varying complexity of families & travel requirements.
• Change and adapt to new programmes and models of service in line with evidence based research & required training.
• Deliver agreed intervention programmes as required.
• Work in a flexible manner with the family in meeting their changing needs through the use of consultation, plans, reviews and feedback.
• Work in partnership with families to increase their skills in such areas as childcare, budgeting, home management, nutrition and health care, through individual or group work.
• Aim to enhance positive parenting skills.
• Liaise with the person on health/emotional/parenting issues and child abuse and report concerns as appropriate
• Assist in linking families with local/appropriate services and agencies. Encourage their attendance at these services.
• Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols within the designated team/service and the child and family agency-Tusla.
• Adhere to the supervision policy.
• Contribute to an area-based analysis of unmet need.
• Share knowledge with other team members to maintain standards.
• Actively participate as a member of the designated team/service.
• Attend meetings as appropriate to their allocated work e.g. Meitheal meetings, Family Support planning meetings, Child Protection conferences, strategy meetings, children in care reviews.
• Seek the advice of relevant personnel when appropriate/as required.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Participate as Lead practitioners and support workers in the Meitheal process.
• Be active members of the local Child & Family Support Networks & the Team Around the Child.
• Attend at and furnish written reports to the Courts as required.
• In exceptional circumstances, support and/or assist with access visits between children and their parents/families, where the Family Support Worker’s work is a key component of the Family Support intervention plan for the child & natural parents. Current practice of individuals to prevail on this issue.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
• Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
• Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
• Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
• Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
• Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
• Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
• Refer clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
• Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many pathways into the role of Family Support Practitioner, but Tusla will require: 

• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 6 (or higher) major academic award in the areas of health promotion, social care, childcare, education, family support, education etc.

or

• An equivalent nationally recognised qualification in the areas of health promotion, social care, childcare, education, family support, education etc.

**Garda Vetting will form part of applications for this role**

Conversion Programmes - People currently employed in the social care sector holding any of the previously accepted qualifications, and job seekers who have more recently completed some of the associated qualifications who are interested in entering the social care sector or continuing their careers in the sector, may now find that they are restricted by the requirement to possess a specific social care qualification.

A number of one year “conversion” programmes offering the opportunity to obtain a qualification in Applied Social Studies in Social Care are available. These are designed for job seekers that already possess experience and/or similar qualifications in the social care field and wish to further develop their career in this chosen specialty. A BA. in Social Care is now required for entry as a Social Care Worker. Supervised Work Placement is a crucial element of training.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: social care, childcare, youth work.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: community, social care, health, social care, applied, social, community care, counseling, psychology, social studies, childcare, youth and community

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied social care, applied social studies, health, social care, social care practice, youth and community work, childcare.

The professional qualification required is the 3 year Level 7 BA. Many qualified practitioners go on to complete an Honours Degree (Level 8) in the field. Some may progress to postgraduate qualifications.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: child and social care, leadership, therapeutic child and social Care, health, social care, advancing health, social justice, quality and safety in healthcare.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

CORU Registration The requirement for registration of social care workers with CORU will be in place from 2022. CORU is responsible for the registration of all healthcare professionals in Ireland and has already completed the registration of Social Workers. Registration will mean transparent identification of all social care professionals and will also determine the education, continuous professional development and accountability expectation in the social care sector.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €52k

Salaries vary by duties, role, shift pattern, location, and employer. 

Data Source(s):
Tusla/ HSE/ The Wheel/ Forsa

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Youth and community workers; Child and early years officers; Housing officers; Counsellors Welfare and housing associate professionals n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation continued to be strong across the five-year period. Census data for 2022 indicates that youth and community workers account for the largest share of occupations within this group and vacancies announced through DSP Jobs Ireland in 2022 were primarily for these roles.

• Tusla – Child and Family Agency,

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