JOB DESCRIPTION


Job Title: Drug and Alcohol Worker (Project Worker) in the Irish Prison Service (IPS)

Location:         Dublin, Midlands, Cork, Limerick

Reports to: MQI/IPS Addiction Services Manager

 

About this Role:

MQI offers non-judgemental, one-one, group support and addiction treatment to people in prison. The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for individuals impacted by addiction use who are within the prison service.

 

Main Responsibilities

  • Individual Support: Work directly with individuals impacted by drug or alcohol use.

  • Group Work: Facilitate groups using evidence-based approaches.

  • Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the needs of individuals, evaluating their needs and identifying appropriate interventions.

  • Key Working: Providing guidance, advocacy, and support.

  • Care Plan Development: Collaborate with clients to develop tailored care plans that address their specific needs and goals.

  • Case Management: Manage cases by coordinating with various services and monitoring progress to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate supports to achieve the goals set out in care plans.

  • Interventions: Provide evidence-based interventions, such as key working, psycho-educational workshops, and therapeutic activities.

  • Explore rehabilitation and aftercare supports for people post-release.

  • Link with prison staff to support people to access appropriate services.

 

Administrative Duties:

  • Client Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, assessments, progress, referrals and discharge summaries using electronic systems.

  • Reporting: Prepare regular reports, statistics, and other necessary documentation as required by management


Compliance & Quality:

  • Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, security, and health and safety.

  • Incident Management: Manage incidents effectively, following protocols and documenting details appropriately.

  • Quality Standards: Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services in line with National Standards for Better Safer Healthcare.

 

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Meetings & Training: Attend internal and external meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities as required.

  • Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the manager, contributing to the overall success of the service delivery.



Person Specification

Essential:

  • Level 7 qualification in Addiction/Social Care/Social Studies, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field.

  • 2 years of frontline experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol.

  • Experience in group work.

  • Knowledge of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Harm Reduction, CRA, CBT, SMART Recovery, Recovery Coaching).

  • Understanding of National Drug & Alcohol Strategy and National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.

  • Garda Vetting and Prison Security Clearance required.

 

Desirable:

  • Accreditation in evidence-based approaches to working with people who use drugs and alcohol (e.g. CRA, CBT, Resonance Factor, SMART Recovery, Recovery Coaching). 

  • Experience working with people engaged with the criminal justice system.



Salary Scale: €35,659 – €42,168 per annum based on experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Contract: Contract of Indefinite Duration following 6 months probationary period.


Benefits MQI Offer:

  • Fulfilling and challenging work.

  • Sick Pay Scheme.

  • Minimum 23 days of annual leave.

  • Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months, plus Death in Service benefit).

  • Line management supervision.

  • Learning and development.

  • Paid family leave (maternity, paternity, parental, adoptive, force majeure, compassionate leave).

  • Educational assistance.

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

  • Health & Wellness Programme.


If you are interested for applying for this job, please apply at this link by 6th March 2026: https://merchants-quay-ireland.hirehive.com/drug-and-alcohol-worker-project-worker-in-the-irish-prison-service-ips-dublin-zfm6LD



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Do you have a Level 7 in Social Care or similar? *
Do you have at least 2 years of frontline experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol?
Which Irish Prison would be your preferred choice if successful?
Are you legally authorised to work in Ireland ?
Do you currently hold a valid VISA that allows you to work in Ireland ?
Can you provide documentation to verify your current visa status or work authorisation ? 
Do you declare that the information provided in this application is true and correct to the best of your knowledge; and understand that any false information, omissions, or misrepresentations by you will lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or in the event of you obtaining employment, result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.