Link Social Worker - Kilkenny / Waterford / Wexford

Fostering First Ireland (FFI) is seeking a motivated, highly skilled Link Social Worker to join our team in the South East. This is a home-based role with flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and foster carers. There will be travel predominantly across Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

We welcome applications from candidates who are committed to trauma-informed practice and who value connection, empowerment, and inclusivity in their work. You must live within the catchment area to ensure accessibility to foster carers.

Why Join Us?

At FFI, we believe in creating safe, empowering environments for children, carers, and staff. We offer a supportive, trauma-informed, values-led approach rooted in Safety, Trust, Empathy, Connection, Empowerment, Participation, and Inclusivity.

What You'll Do

You'll support foster carers through regular supervision, training, and guidance, helping them provide safe, nurturing homes for children and young people. You'll also:

• Monitor and review carer practice to ensure high-quality placements for children and young people.
• Collaborate with the placements team to identify and match suitable foster placements.
• Facilitate monthly carer support groups and deliver core training modules.
• Take part in the out of hours rota to help support the wider foster carer group.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards through accurate documentation and participation in regular internal audits, contributing to a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates flexibility and readiness to undertake significant travel requirements associated with the role.
• Willingness and ability to participate in the out-of-hours service on a rota basis, ensuring safe, responsive support to foster carers and children.

What We're Looking For

• A qualified Social Worker (CORU registered) with 2+ years' post-qualification experience.
• Experience in fostering is welcome but not essential.
• A self-starter who is flexible, empathetic, and collaborative.
• Strong organisational and IT skills.
• Full, clean driving licence and willingness to travel.
• A trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to practice
• Must reside in the identified area to support foster carers effectively.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, aligned with public sector pay scales to ensure fairness and consistency
• Generous annual leave (25 days, rising to 30 days) supporting work-life balance and wellbeing
• Comprehensive paid leave supports, including a structured sick pay scheme and paid family leave, recognising that life happens and support matters
• Private Pension Scheme from day one of employment, helping you build long-term financial security.
• Private health insurance, after one year of continuous service - offering you peace of mind if you should ever need it
• Death in service insurance, providing financial protection for your family
• Ongoing supervision, learning & development within a genuinely supportive and trauma-informed workplace - including a structured buddy system for new starters, regular supervision, a comprehensive induction plan, and an open-door management culture that encourages collaboration, growth and continuous professional support

Shortlisting will apply.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, we warmly invite you to let us know. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive experience for all applicants. If you need the Job Description or application materials in an alternative format such as large print, audio, or another accessible version, please let us know and we will be happy to provide it.