Restorative Justice in the Community (RJC)

Job Specification: Restorative Justice Case Worker (Part Time) 2018

Job Title:Restorative Justice Case Worker (Part Time)

Location:Based in Nenagh, County Tipperary with travel throughout Counties Tipperary, Offaly, Laois and such other areas in the region as may be identified in the future. Travel expenses paid as per RJC policy.

Reporting to:The RJC Manager and Directors of RJC

Closing Date:Email application form to by 12 noon on Friday 11th May 2018. Applications will not be accepted in any format other than application form.

Interviews will be held:Late May 2018 in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Second round interviews may also occur

Term of contract:12 month fixed term contract

Working Week:The position is a part time post of 21 hours per week but flexibility will be required regarding possible evening work. A time in lieu system is in place for additional hours worked. RJC is flexible in terms of how the 21 hours are accrued each week.

Annual Leave:14 days per annum (part time position)

Salary:€19,800 for this 21 hour post. €33,000 is the 35 hour equivalent.

Application form to be by 12 noon on Friday 11th May 2018

emailed to:

Enquiries to:

Garda Vetting will apply.

Background and Context:

Restorative Justice in the Community (RJC) formerlyNenagh Community Reparation Project offers a restorative justice programme working with offenders and victims of crime and operates in Counties Tipperary and Offaly. In 2018 RJC hopes to expand its services to County Laois.

RJC was established in 1999 with the support of the Probation Service and is funded annually by the Probation Service. RJC is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.

RJC works with adults of all ages but our primary referrals tend to be young adults aged 18-25. RJC works with Judge directed referrals which come primarily at District Court level. Once a referral is made it is dealt with in varying ways according to the specifics of the parties involved. In suitable cases, following contact with the referred offender and with the victim of crime, an appropriate restorative intervention is prepared to address the harm caused by the offending behaviour, how the harm can be repaired and how to avoid future offending.

In 2018 RJC is recruiting a part time Restorative Justice Case Worker to be based in the Nenagh office but with travel throughout Counties Tipperary, Laois, Offaly and such other areas in the region as may be identified in the future. As such a full, clean driving licence and your own car is essential to this post.

Position Summary:

The Case Worker will take referral of cases from District Courts in the region, manage cases through to completion, recruit, support and develop panels of community volunteers, develop restorative options, facilitate restorative interventions and support offenders and victims of crime.

The Case Worker will work in conjunction with and under the supervision of the RJC Manager, RJC Directors, the Probation Service and other key agencies.

RJC is looking for an enthusiastic self-starter with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate must be driven by promoting and expanding restorative justice.

Flexible hours are required including some evenings.

The successful candidate will be offered a 12 month fixed term contract which will be subject to evaluation in determining the future plans.

1)Duties and Responsibilities:

The Case Worker will report to the RJC Manager and RJC Directors and will fulfil the following duties:

  • Work as part of a team with colleagues and volunteers in RJC, adhering to all policies and procedures and the ethos of RJC.
  • Work with victims and offenders with regard to their participation in restorative interventions
  • Progress all aspects of the referral process:
  • Case work directly with offenders and victims of crime through the restorative process.
  • Receive referrals, open and manage files
  • Co-ordinate and facilitate restorative interventions
  • Initiate and maintain contact with victims of crime and offenders by telephone, post and meeting ensuring that those going through the restorative process are fully informed and understand the process throughout.
  • Monitor and follow up program completion for those referred to RJC ensuring best practice and high completion of restorative contracts.
  • Prepare and deliver Court reports
  • Maintain a database of referrals and completion statistics.
  • Maintain clear and complete records in each case file.
  • Ensure forms and paperwork are properly completed.
  • Maintain confidential client records and records of decisions.
  • Submit Reports, statistics and records of decisions to management.
  • Recruit, train and support Restorative Justice panels of Community Volunteers where necessary.
  • Liaise, meet and communicate with relevant community organisations, the Judiciary, the Probation Service, Courts Service and Gardaí to explain the project and co-ordinate restorative justice processes.
  • Pro-actively promote and market the programme where and when necessary.
  • Establish partnerships within the community to develop and promote RJC.
  • Make presentations to relevant bodies.
  • Work collaboratively and communicate regularly with all relevant stakeholders.
  • Ensure best practice within all aspects of the programme.
  • Any other duties as deemed appropriate.

2) Requirements: The ideal candidate will have…

  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of the principles of Restorative Justice and the Irish Criminal Justice system.
  • A relevant third level qualification in social care, social work, social science, youth and community work, criminology or other related area.
  • A minimum of two years experience working in a case work capacity on a one to one and/or group basis, managing a large and varied case load.
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills.
  • Report writing and letter writing skills.
  • Excellent administrative and time management skills
  • An ability to coordinate and implement a new initiative.
  • Effective verbal, presentation and listening skills
  • Excellent networking skills and the ability to liaise with the key players involved.
  • Good IT skills (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
  • Experience in and understanding of community based organisations.
  • Experience in facilitating group work programmes and panels.
  • Experience in working with volunteers.
  • A full, clean driving licence and own car.

Personal Qualities:

  • Adhere to the goals and ethos of RJC as well as to the principles of Restorative Justice.
  • Honest and trustworthy.
  • Respectful.
  • Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Flexibility regarding working hours and working week.
  • Demonstrate sound work ethics.
  • Must maintain strict confidentiality in performing the duties of Case worker.

Desirable:

  • Experience and/or training in Restorative Justice Facilitation, mediation or conflict resolution
  • Experience of providing a case work or outreach role specifically in a criminal justice / youth justice setting.
  • Experience of working with victims of crime