Current Vacancies

About the role

Join Extern’s Short Stay Break Service and make a real difference in the lives of young people aged 8–17 and their families. This service provides a safe, supportive alternative to placement, offering 4-day, 4-night breaks packed with social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities.

As a Key Worker, you will engage directly with children and young people, supporting them to explore lifestyle choices, build wellbeing, and develop independence. Your work helps prevent crises, maintain family placements, and ensure young people can return home safely and positively.

You’ll work closely with social workers and carers, providing tailored support that keeps children engaged and empowered. Successful interventions can lead to ongoing participation in other Extern programmes, helping young people thrive within their communities.

This is a hands-on, rewarding role for someone passionate about youth support, crisis prevention, and positive change.

About the role

Join Extern’s Southside Youth Initiative, a vibrant Youth Diversion Project (YDP) making a real difference in the lives of young people in Limerick city. This community-based programme works with local agencies to prevent youth crime and help young people build positive futures.

We are looking for a Youth Justice Worker to support young people aged 8–18 with complex needs. You’ll work directly with those at high risk of offending, as well as younger children through early intervention. Using creative, tailored programmes, you’ll help young people develop resilience, life skills, and positive connections in their community.

This role is hands-on and dynamic. You’ll deliver programmes flexibly, collaborate closely with statutory agencies, community organisations, and families, and play a key role in shaping meaningful outcomes for young people.

If you are passionate about making a real impact and enjoy working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, this role is for you.

About the role

Are you a Social Worker passionate about making a real difference? Extern’s Multi-Disciplinary Homeless Support Team in Belfast has been supporting individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 2006. We work with people experiencing complex needs, including mental health challenges, addictions, learning disabilities, and family breakdown.

You’ll deliver person-centred, harm-reduction-focused support through assertive outreach, building strong relationships with individuals who are often ‘seldom heard’. This role offers opportunities to work collaboratively across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors, advocating for tailored services and innovative solutions.

If you thrive on challenge, value co-production, and want a rewarding role that promotes professional growth and innovative practice, this is the role for you.

About the role

Are you passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire people to grow and succeed?

At Extern, our Digital Learning and Engagement Advisor plays a vital role in transforming how we develop, support, and engage our people.

As part of our People & Organisational Development team, this role leads the creation of dynamic, high-quality learning programmes, with a strong focus on innovative digital solutions. From designing engaging online content to shaping organisation-wide training initiatives, you will help ensure our people have the skills, confidence, and knowledge to deliver real impact.

You will work closely with senior leaders, providing insight that helps drive strategic decisions and ensures our learning approach aligns with Extern’s vision and values. Beyond learning, you will also champion wellbeing by leading our Wellbeing and Engagement Forum, driving initiatives that support a positive, healthy, and inclusive workplace culture.

This is more than a learning role - it’s an opportunity to influence culture, support people, and help shape the future of learning and engagement across Extern.

About the role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in young people’s lives? As a Key Worker with Extern’s – Short Stay Break Service, you’ll play a vital role in supporting children and young people (aged 8–17) and their families, helping them build wellbeing, independence, and healthy life choices.

The Time Out programme offers young people a safe and positive alternative to placement, providing four days and nights of social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities at one of Extern’s youth facilities. As a Key Worker, you’ll engage directly with young people, guiding them through activities, exploring lifestyle choices, and offering support during challenging times.

Your work helps prevent breakdowns in living arrangements, giving children and young people the tools to return home safely while social workers work with carers. Beyond crisis intervention, this role opens pathways for young people to access further support within Extern’s continuum of services, helping them thrive in their communities.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and be part of a dedicated, supportive team, this role could be your next challenge.