Cork Simon Community works in solidarity with men and women who are homeless in Cork, offering housing and support in their journey back to independent living. We promote a socially just society and campaign for a society without homelessness.

The Community works to a set of six core values: Community, Diversity, Social Justice, Voluntarism, Commitment to Care and Inclusion.

We are currently recruiting for the following posts 

 Needle Exchange Outreach Support Worker

Purpose of this post: Engaging with people who have a chaotic IV drug problem and support them into services and responding to and managing drug litter in the region. The post holder will be seconded to the HSE and will initially be assigned to the Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Kinvara House, Cork.

Some of the key duties of the role include:

• To make contact and establish a relationship with people who are using illegal drugs in public areas with a view to linking them into services by engaging in street work on a regular basis as directed by the Coordinator of Drug and Alcohol Services Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare.
• To make referrals for people who have significant problems with illegal drugs and connect them to services available as appropriate
• To conduct initial and comprehensive assessments.
• To actively engage with people who are IV drug users in a case management process that works to a shared care plan.
• To facilitate the induction programme for people who are starting on a methadone programme.
• To assess the needs of the individual clients.
• To ensure that the needs of our clients are attended to with sensitivity and efficiency.
• To work in close liaison with local homeless services, community groups and drugs workers in areas where people are engaged in drug use.
• To liaise with other outreach services operating in the area.
• To be available for call out by community representatives or others to provide an immediate response to situations involving drug litter and health risk.
• To support Community Pharmacists involved in the Needle Exchange Programme in Cork and Kerry on issues that arise from time to time in local communities.

The ideal candidate for this post will have:

• Have a recognised qualification in Youth/Community Development, Health, Education, Addiction or Social/Human Sciences.
• Have a minimum of 3 years relevant experience in Drugs and Alcohol Work or related fields.
• Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability) for the proper discharge and duties of the post.
• Demonstrate the ability to function effectively in the role as detailed in the job specification.
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of Drug and Alcohol work and evidence-based practice.
• Have commitment to continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical risk management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the service and organisation including the strategic vision and policy framework of Health Service Executive.
• Demonstrate ability to plan, organise and deliver services in an efficient, effective and resourceful manner, within a model of patient centred care and value for money.

Closing date of Application Forms 12 noon Thursday, 5 October 2023.

For more information about the role please download our Recruitment Pack below

Download Recruitment Pack

Download Application Form

Cork Simon Community is committed to equality of opportunity.