Senior Community Support Officer
About NOW Group
NOW Group are an award-winning social enterprise who deliver services across the island of Ireland supporting people with intellectual disabilities, autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future.
We are passionate about changing lives and our focus is on outcomes and impact for individuals, their families and communities who are the most disadvantaged. We support participants to have better health, a better education and a brighter future. Our services are continually evolving as a result of co-design, participant feedback and project learning.
The Role
As a Senior Community Support Officer you will lead NOW Group’s Community Opportunities programme by supporting our participants in their journey from school to further education, developing their independence and soft skills to prepare them for training and employment. You will liaise directly with a range of stakeholders including schools and Further Education Colleges to identify students who will transition into NOW Group services and support placements through our social enterprise cafes.
Key Responsibilities
Manage NOW Group’s Community Opportunities program ensuring the service is planned and implemented to fulfill NOW Group strategic and operational plans and the needs and aspirations of key stakeholders.
Line management of Community Support Officers to deliver a program of high-quality activity sessions.
Ensure effective induction of new and existing participants, including initial and formative assessments and the co-creation of Outcome Stars and Action Plans.
Co-ordinate a monthly calendar of varied activities and sessions focused on independence and soft skills development for participants.
Provide support to participants as required, advising the team on how to provide person-centered support and how to signpost to other support services if appropriate.
Engage in meaningful dialogue with service users and families to ensure that they have a role in shaping service delivery.
Establish and develop effective working relationships between schools, social work teams, community support services, parents/carers and employers to ensure a range of opportunities for each young person leaving school.
Work with the Employment and Training team to support participants to transition into our other services based on participant needs and aspirations.
Liaise with our marketing and communications service to create positive promotional material and individual case studies.
Provide timely reporting and support regular quality audits to ensure compliance with organisation and funder requirements.
Contribute to the achievement of organisation Scorecard targets and strategy objectives.
Comply fully with NOW Group's 'Organisation Approach to Safeguarding' and adopt the role of Designated Safeguarding Officer.
What We Offer
Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 11 statutory days (pro-rata).
Health Benefits: Access to a Health Cash Plan (post-probation).
Wellbeing Support: Confidential counselling and financial advisory services.
Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
Flexible Work: Hybrid working model, holiday purchase scheme, and Bike-to-Work scheme.
About the role
Additional Information
Employment is subject to a Garda Vetting Bureau check.
NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. A copy of our safeguarding and recruitment policies is available upon request.
Join us at NOW Group and make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning difficulties and autism. Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future.
What you will need
Required criteria
- Minimum of one year’s experience managing a team or project and meeting targets.
- Educated to Leaving Certificate level or above.
- Clear understanding of the barriers experienced by people with intellectual disabilities/difficulties when engaging in social or community-based activities.
- Experience of building and maintaining local networks.
- Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite, in particular MS Excel.
- Excellent communication skills and public speaking/presentation skills.
- Flexible mindset with the ability to problem solve
Desired criteria
- Certified Qualification (ideally to degree level) in a relevant discipline e.g., Community Work or Social Care.
- Minimum of one year’s experience supporting people with intellectual disabilities/difficulties or autism.
- Experience overseeing quality auditing processes.
NOW Group
NOW Group are an award-winning social enterprise who deliver services across Ireland supporting people with learning difficulties, autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future.
We are passionate about changing lives and our priority is on outcomes and impact for individuals, their families and communities who are the most disadvantaged. We support participants to have better health, a better education and a brighter future. Our services are continually evolving as a result of co-design, participant feedback and project learning.
At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery. One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly. The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment. We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact. In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted. What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Our benefits
Benefits at NOW Group NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation. We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health. To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience. Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.
Vacation, Paid time off
Cycle to work
Competitive salary
Long service recognition
Hybrid Working
On the job learning
Progression opportunities
Senior Community Support Officer
NOW Group are an award-winning social enterprise who deliver services across Ireland supporting people with learning difficulties, autism and neurodiverse conditions into jobs with a future.
We are passionate about changing lives and our priority is on outcomes and impact for individuals, their families and communities who are the most disadvantaged. We support participants to have better health, a better education and a brighter future. Our services are continually evolving as a result of co-design, participant feedback and project learning.