high support Services overview

On behalf of the Ballymun Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (BLDATF), the BJC offers a service to people who have or have had drug or alcohol issues. The service aims to develop bridging supports for clients coming from a background of drug or alcohol use.

About our service

The service works with clients to develop new directions, priorities and networks around re-intergration strategies.  Our Staff are experienced and trained in working with drug and/or alcohol issues.  The main supports that we provide in the High Support Service include employment supports, vocation educational and training supports, prison and community links, and career guidance. Many of the clients that we work with have gone on to gain employment or into further eduction or addiction treatment.  You do not have to be in receipt of a social welfare payment in order to access this service.

Objectives

The main objective of the service is to assist individuals with a history of drug and/or alcohol misuse to access education, training and guidance supports. Working with the client to develop new directions, priorities and networks around labour market re-integration strategies. The service works with clients to support, motivate and encourage individuals to overcome the specific barriers that limit their capacity to access employment. As well as the provision of individual supports, the service develops training activities specifically designed for the client group. The service assists individuals in progressing career action plans and accessing the appropriate interventions.

interventions

The service will work directly with an individual to provide relevant and ongoing support in the area of employment and training. Some interventions involve signposting to other agencies that can help i.e. for housing, addiction or legal issues. Our staff have training in addiction and mental health and are experienced to deal with these issues. All of these interventions are tailored to the client’s needs.

The service has developed training activities specifically designed for this client group. This mostly includes onsite which encourages the development of career aspirations and confidence and skills relevant to further education and training. The High Support service is always open to developing new training based on emerging needs. If you feel there is a need for a specific training to be run or developed, please talk to your guidance officer about this.

Clients who are presently engaging, or considering engaging with the High Support Service may be eligible to avail of funding for certain trainings through the Drug Task Force Education Bursary Fund. For more information on this fund including eligibility and how to access it, please contact the High Support Service to discuss this with your guidance officer.

The service in the Ballymun Job Centre works closely with addiction and health services within the local area including BLDATF, Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP), Ballymun Communications, the STAR Project, Probation Services and many more.

we are here to help

We work with clients recently released from prison, with mental health issues, those facing or experiencing homelessness and those with complex family issues.

      • Recovering/Stabilised drug/alcohol users
      • Adult drug/alcohol users (over 18 years)
      • Young drug users (under 18 years)
      • Homeless drug/alcohol users
      • Families of drug/alcohol users

how to access our service

Call in to the BJC reception and register with our services, public opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4pm

Ask for a referral from your key worker in another local agency that you are linked in with for example BYAP, CE scheme or other external organisation.

If you are already a client of the Ballymun Job Centre, you can ask for a referral from your Guidance Officer 

strive ballymun initiative

JARC, which stands for the Joint Agency Response to Crime is one of the most concrete examples of partnership work involving the Probation Service. It was set up in November 2014 as a joint initiative of the Probation Service, the Irish Prisons Service and An Garda Síochána – the key stakeholders at the ‘coalface’ in tackling offending behaviour.

The aim of this project is to tackle repeat offenders and find out why they are offending, with the ultimate gof reducing crime.  It’s estimated that 75% of burglaries are caused by 25% of offenders. Its key aims are to: Develop and further strengthen a multi-agency approach to the management of crime; Prioritise particular, nominated, offenders in order to develop initiatives which will address their behaviour; Reduce crime and increase public safety in local communities.

A number of joint agency initiatives have been established on a pilot basis under the strategy: The STRIVE Ballymun initiative works as a sort of ‘trade-off’ between the offender and agencies – and focuses on those causing a high level of harm in a particular area of East Ballymun. Under the initiative, the service user agrees to stay away from crime and have their needs met through supports from local agencies – or face a higher level of intervention into their lifestyle – something which would disrupt their criminal behaviour.

Career Compass

Career Compass, supported by SláinteCare-Healthy Communities, is a collaborative initiative by the Ballymun Job Centre Co-operative and Ballymun Youth Action Project. Aimed at clients of these organisations, it provides quality work experience and skills to help individuals in Ballymun who are stable in their recovery journey. By fostering a structured progression plan and ensuring equal access to support services, Career Compass promotes employment opportunities and holistic support through a multi-agency effort.

more information

Contact us

Pat Kavanagh – High Support Guidance Officer

Tel: 01 8667000

email: kavanaghp@bmunjob.ie

Lauren Hayes – Employer Engagement Officer

Tel: 087 3604600

email: hayesl@bmunjob.ie

Danielle Mc Cann – Strive Project Worker

Tel: 087 7104020

email: mccannd@bmunjob.ie

This service is funded by the Ballymun Local Drugs and Alcohol Task force (BLDATF)