- Reference number: 23971
- Job Title: Parenting Matters - Project Worker 2 (Maternity Cover)
- Location: Parenting Matters Project
- Contract type: Fixed term
- End date: 31/10/2027
- Hours: 22.2
- Salary: £28,687 - £32,786 FTE (£17,212.20 - £19,671.60 pro rata)
- Closing Date: 24 November 2026
- Interview Date: TBC
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work with parents who are currently in custody in Northern Ireland. Barnardo's Parenting Matters Service is recruiting for a part time Project Worker 2, Maternity Cover, to work in prison establishments in Northern Ireland (mainly HMP Maghaberry).
Working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). Parenting Matters provides parenting support and education to people in the care of NIPS during their custodial sentence.
The overall aims are to help strengthen family relationships, improve outcomes for children and families affected by having a parent in the care of the criminal justice system and to reduce re-offending and intergenerational offending.
The service provides support for parents/carers with a child/children up to the age of 18, or who are pregnant, to achieve the following outcomes:
- Improved knowledge of parenting
- Increased ability to understand impact of own behaviour
- Improved family relationships
- Promote wellbeing and positive life outcomes for children affected by parental imprisonment.
- Support and enable family contact where it is in the best interest of the child.
This is achieved through providing safe, effective and quality services including Group and individual support, Family Visits, providing support and information to partners and families and working collaboratively with NIPS staff to improve outcomes for children and families and promote the Strengthening Family Relations Strategy.
Essential Criteria
- Previous experience of direct work with parents, families, children/young people and ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of parenting and family issues
- Previous experience of applying and implementing child protection policies and procedures within a work setting.
- Experience of working in a team within a multidisciplinary context.
- Hold a full UK driving licence with business insurance and have access to a car for work purposes or alternatively be able to demonstrate how you can meet the mobility requirements of the post.
Desirable Criteria
- Hold a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline for example, Social Work, Health and Social Care, Early Years, Education, Psychology
- Experience of delivering Parenting Programmes and facilitating group work.
- Experience of working in a secure residential or prison environment.
- Experience of working with families impacted by parental offending.
Applicants must demonstrate how they meet the Essential criteria when completing the application form to secure an interview.
Contact details: recruitment.supportteam@barnardos.org.uk
A waiting list will be compiled for any future similar vacancies within the organisation for a period of 12 months.
The successful applicant for this post will be subject to an enhanced Access NI withwith Child and Adult Barred list check as well as the security clearance requirements by NI Prison Service. Failure to secure this clearance will result in non-appointment.
Parenting Matters – Project Worker 2 (Maternity Cover) Barnardo's employer: EFDNI
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