Family Support Specialist - North East
Description
Job Description
Job Title: Family Support Specialist
Location: Counties of Louth/Meath
Role Purpose: The Northeast Family Support Service offers a free, confidential, non-judgemental, and supportive service. Our mission is to support any family member, partner, or friend impacted by a loved one’s addiction.
Reports to: Service Co-ordinator
Direct Reports: None
Contract Type: Contract of Indefinite Duration
Weekly Hours: 37.5 per week (Monday – Friday, with some evening work required)
Principle Objective: The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for families in the Louth- Meath Regions affected by familial drug use.
Team Purpose, Who We Are –
Merchants Quay Ireland is a national voluntary organisation who helps people who are Homeless and those caught in addiction. We provide frontline services, practical supports, pathways towards recovery and innovative responses to the issues of drug use and homelessness in Ireland.
Our Vision is one of an “inclusive society” where the integration and well-being of all is supported and everyone is treated with Dignity and Respect. Our Mission is to work as a collaborative community to reduce the harm caused by addiction and homelessness. We provide accessible, high quality and effective services, which meet the complex needs in a non judgemental and compassionate way.
About this Role:
The Northeast Family Support Service offers a free, confidential, non-judgemental, and supportive service. Our mission is to support any family member, partner, or friend impacted by a loved one’s addiction. With offices in Dundalk and Drogheda, we also provide outreach-based appointments throughout counties Louth and Meath to ensure accessible support for all. The main objective of this role is to provide evidence-based support for families in the Louth- Meath Regions affected by familial drug use.
Main Responsibilities
Direct Support:
Individual Support: Work directly with individuals impacted by a family member’s drug or alcohol use, offering emotional support and practical assistance.
Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the needs of family members, evaluating their situation and identifying appropriate interventions.
Key Working: Develop one-on-one supportive relationships with clients, providing guidance, advocacy, and support.
Case Management: Manage cases by coordinating with various services, creating care plans, and monitoring progress to ensure that family members receive the appropriate support.
Care Plan Development: Collaborate with clients to develop tailored care plans that address their specific needs and goals.
Interventions: Deliver evidence-based interventions, such as counselling, educational workshops, and therapeutic activities, to support clients in coping with their loved one’s addiction.
Community & Collaboration:
Service Provider Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with local service providers, including health services, addiction treatment centres, and community organisations.
Community Stakeholders: Engage with community stakeholders to create a network of support for families and children affected by substance abuse.
Identifying Gaps: Identify potential gaps in services and resources for families in Louth and Meath and work collaboratively to find solutions.
External Support Coordination: Source and organise external support services, such as legal advice, financial assistance, and healthcare, to address specific issues faced by family members.
Administrative Duties:
Client Records: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, assessments, and progress using electronic systems.
Report Preparation: Prepare regular reports, statistics, and other necessary documentation as required by the Service Coordinator and management.
Volunteer Support: Assist in the recruitment, induction, and retention of volunteers, providing them with the necessary support and supervision.
Compliance & Quality:
Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and health and safety.
Incident Management: Manage incidents and emergencies effectively, following organisational 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.
Volunteer Supervision: Provide supervision, guidance, and training to volunteers and other personnel.
Fundraising Support: Assist the Fundraising Team with events and initiatives related to the service.
Ad-hoc Duties: Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the Service Coordinator, contributing to the overall success of the program.
Person Specification
Essential:
Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care/Social Studies, Counselling, Psychology, or related field.
1+ years of frontline experience in addiction-related services or family support.
Experience in group facilitation.
Knowledge of family programs (e.g., Triple P, SFP, Parenting Plus).
Understanding of National Drug & Alcohol Strategy and National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
Full clean driver’s license.
Knowledge of evidence-based family support approaches (e.g., 5-Step, CRAFT).
Desirable:
Accreditation in family support approaches.
Experience in developing programs using community development principles.
Knowledge of additional family/parenting programs (e.g., Parents Under Pressure).
What does MQI Offer as an employer?
Paid Family Leave, where applicable (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and Compassionate Leave)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave, Scholarship Foundation)
Minimum 172.5 hours Annual Leave
Death In Service (from commencement of employment)
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
Group VHI scheme
Competitive Salaries
Bike to Work
The deadline for applications for this role is 16th October 2026.
This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this role. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform based on requirements either now or in the future.
Merchant’s Quay Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
