high support Services overview

On behalf of the Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force (BLDTF), 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 Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP), Ballymun Communications, the STAR, YAP project 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

You can avail of the High Support services in a number of ways

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 

meet the team

Sandra Heffernan

High Support Guidance Officer Telephone 01 866 7000 or email heffernans@bmunjob.ie

LAUREN HAYES

Employer Engagement Officer Telephone 01866 7000 or email hayesl@bmunjob.ie

This service is funded by the Ballymun Local Drugs Task force (BLDTF)