About COPE Galway
COPE Galway has been providing essential social services in Galway for 60 years. We respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, and we support older people towards healthy, independent ageing. Our vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.
COPE Galway is deeply embedded in the Galway community. We are founded on the belief that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve and our community.
Our People
Our People, COPE Galway staff and volunteers, are the driving force behind everything we do. Their passion, commitment, and professionalism enable us to deliver a wide range of services, support more people, and make a real impact in the community.
We have a diverse range of roles, from frontline support workers and social care professionals to catering, community engagement and other professional roles. Each role is crucial in ensuring we deliver our services effectively and make a positive impact in the community.
Working with COPE Galway
Joining our team means you will make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families and individuals we support and contribute to driving meaningful social change in the community. Whether you are a frontline worker directly supporting clients or in an administrative role, you are vital to our efforts to address critical issues like homelessness and domestic abuse and to ensure that older people are valued and supported.
At COPE Galway, we prioritise the development and wellbeing of our people. We offer a supportive work environment, with opportunities for ongoing training, personal and professional growth, and leadership development.
Our Culture
We foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace, where diversity is valued. Our team is united by a shared mission and a genuine passion for empowering people and creating
meaningful change. We take a trauma-informed approach to the way we work and foster this culture in every aspect of the organisation, including a focus on the health and wellbeing of our staff.
Domestic Abuse Service
COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service supports and empowers women, children and young people who are subjected to domestic abuse. Based in Modh Eile House, we offer a range of services including a 24/7 confidential helpline, safe refuge accommodation, outreach services throughout Galway, and court accompaniment. We also provide domestic abuse training and awareness programmes.
Our dedicated children and young people’s service, Solas Óg, provides one-to-one and group therapeutic supports for children and young people up to 25 years, and delivers healthy relationship workshops in schools and youth groups in Galway.
We listen, believe and support women, children and young people on their journey toward a life free from domestic abuse.
The Role
The primary
function of this role is to provide court accompaniment in District, Circuit
and High court predominantly in family and criminal law hearings, throughout
Galway City and County. There are eight court locations Galway city court,
Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Gort, Tuam, Derrynea, Clifden and Inis Mór, all will
need to be attended at various times.
Many women
who contact our service need to seek safety through the legal system or are
attending court for access, custody, guardianship, and maintenance where they
are experiencing domestic abuse. The courts process can be a daunting
experience, this role aims to assist women to navigate the court process and procedure
by providing support in what can be an intimidating environment. In doing this the
court support worker will assist a victim/survivor of abuse to complete and
submit court applications, compile a domestic abuse history, support and
information with court preparation and post court support. This role will also incorporate
accompaniment to legal aid, solicitor appointments and to An Garda Síochána
where requested.
Maintaining
effective working relationships with court staff, solicitors, Judges, and An
Garda Síochána is a key component of this role. The position requires
proactively sharing information about our service and encouraging
professionals’ understanding of the value and impact of providing consistent
support to clients throughout the legal process.
Duties and responsibilities
- To support women who have been subjected to domestic violence by listening and providing emotional support around their experiences of domestic violence
- To support and accompany women to court
- To support and accompany women to An Garda Síochána when making a statement
- To support and accompany women to legal aid and/or solicitor appointments
- To advocate for the rights of clients when and where needed
- To work with a woman to assess their safety needs and develop appropriate safety plans in response
- To manage a case load and diary in relation to appointments
- To network and develop links with local service providers relevant to clients’ situations including, Gardai, court service, Legal Aid, Legal practitioners etc.
- To disseminate information in relation to service availability
- To always observe and enforce a policy of strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of the service.
- To maintain and update accurate records of all files and any associated documentation, including updating the database notes, in a timely and professional manner.
- To liaise and work cooperatively with the other teams, including the Children and Young Person service, Solas Óg, the outreach team and the refuge team, around family supports, court referrals and follow up needed, in an inclusive communication style.
- To attend regular case management and supervision meetings with the Outreach manager.
- To attend and support awareness raising events as required
Contribution to COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service
- Attend all mandatory training, be pro-active with your own training and development and attend any other training as requested by your line manager
- Attend and contribute to all team meetings, as directed
- Work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the service, and bring any difficulties to the attention of your line manager, including working on the further development of policy and procedure, as appropriate
- Work within the ethos and philosophy of the service at all times
- Ensure that all support to clients is appropriate and in accordance with COPE Galway policy guidelines
Health & Safety
- Take reasonable care for your own safety, health and welfare, and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions
- Co-operate with your employer in relation to compliance with statutory requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, 2005
- Use protective equipment, clothing or other means for securing the safety, health and welfare of employeesRespect protective clothing and equipment provided for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities
- Report to management, without delay, any defects in the workplace, plant, equipment or systems of work, which may lead to danger
- Ensure to regularly review and proactively stay informed of all health and safety and fire safety procedures on an ongoing basis
- Be proactive in the area of self-care with regard to identifying any impacts of the work
Essential Requirements
- A minimum of two years direct work experience with victims of domestic abuse
- A NFQ Level 8 qualification supportive of the role
- Demonstrable knowledge of current domestic abuse legislation and issues
- Demonstratable experience in fostering positive relationships
- Excellent organisational skills, including in the use of ICT
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the capacity to prepare reports, file notes, correspondence to a high standard
- Fully flexible and a willingness to meet the demands of the role
- Full, clean driving licence and access to own transport
- Self-motivated and ability to work on your own initiative
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the dynamics of abuse, the impact of abuse on women and children and how women and children can present
- Knowledge of the role of power and control within an abusive relationship and how theories of power and control can be utilised to empower a woman
- Knowledge and an understanding of the impact of trauma and knowledge / experience of working with women who are so impacted
- Knowledge of a broad range of issues including mental health, addictions, relationship and family breakdown, poverty and social exclusion
- A commitment to feminist principles in the practice of working on violence against women
- A commitment to striving for zero tolerance of DSGBV
- A high degree of cultural competency, with knowledge of the impact of domestic abuse as it pertains to women from minority backgrounds
- Competent in the collection, collation and analysis of information, whether through paper-based systems or ICT-based systems
Equal Opportunity Employer
COPE Galway is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environments for all our employees.
Data Privacy and Applicant Declaration
The information you provide in this application form will be processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Your personal data will be used solely for the purpose of assessing your suitability for the role and, where applicable, to prepare an employment agreement. Your data will be stored securely and accessed only by authorized personnel involved in the recruitment process. We will retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill these purposes or as required by law. You have the right to access, rectify, or request the deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting Data Protection Officer, [email protected] / 091 778 750.
Please note that we will never ask for payment or personal financial information during the hiring process. If anyone contacts you requesting such information, it is a scam and should be reported immediately.
By submitting this application, I confirm that all information provided by me in this application and any accompanying documents is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I further confirm that I have disclosed any previous employment with COPE Galway, where applicable. I understand that if any information provided is found to be false, misleading, or incomplete, my application may be rejected, any offer of employment withdrawn, or my employment with COPE Galway terminated.
By submitting this application, I consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with COPE Galway’s Privacy Policy. https://www.copegalway.ie/privacy-policy/
