Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

The Work

Advice centre workers help people to cope with a variety of problems and to find out what their rights and responsibilities are. They respond to the requests for help from members of the public.   
  
Being an advice worker involves a lot more than just handing out information. It means thinking about a person's problems and helping them to approach a solution from a variety of angles, using all the available information to make the best decision.

Advice centre workers do find information for their clients, but they are likely to spend time explaining the information fully, and helping the client to think about how best to use it. The work involved falls into categories such as, information, advice, referral, mediation and representation.   
  
Members of the public may need advice on a wide variety of issues, including employment rights, social welfare benefits, tenant's rights and consumer law. They can go to a centre to get free, impartial advice and information.

It is also very important that this advice is confidential; advice centre workers handle sensitive issues. They keep accurate records of each client case. Unlike counselling, where the client works with one counsellor, many different advice workers may deal with one case. It is therefore very important that each advice worker can find up-to-date, accurate and data protected notes on each client, which their colleagues have put together.   
  
Face-to-face interviews are very important to advice giving. However, centre workers also reply to written enquiries. Increasingly, workers give advice over the telephone, and some advice organisations are moving towards setting up call centres to increase the amount of advice they give over the telephone. Technology is also increasingly important; some clients can seek advice through email and the Internet.   
  
Some clients need advice and support over a long period of time. In mediation, advice workers act on their client's behalf, for example, by writing letters or making telephone calls. In representation, advice centre workers present their client's case in court or at a tribunal. For example, they may be involved in legal disputes between landlords and tenants, clients' appeals against unfair dismissal from employment, or cases brought against companies that are accused of selling faulty

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
• Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
• Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
• Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
• Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
• Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
• Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
• Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.
• Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.
• Meet with youth groups to acquaint them with consequences of delinquent acts.

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

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

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.

Educational requirements for this job role vary. A degree or relevant qualification in areas such as social studies, social work, community work, law, among others, may be an advantage.   

Training & Development Pathways 

FET Centre Traineeship: Youth & Community Work, & Business & Office Admin NFQ Level 5 Search FET Traineeship 

FET Centre PLC Course: Youth & Community Work, social studies, social work-Advocacy, community work, law at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder 

Higher Education CAO Entry Youth & Community Work, Social studies, Social work-Advocacy, Community work, and law courses at NFQ levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Voluntary work experience is an excellent way to find out more about this career area. Volunteering often helps applicants with accessing vacancies Search Volunteering. Nationwide service like Citizens information offer volunteering opportunities to build experience, contact your local office. 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €38k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience

Data Source(s):
Indeed / Pobal / Glassdoor / Excel/ Osbourne/ Sigmar

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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.

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