Ruhama’s caseworkers are the first point of contact and will lead you through Ruhama’s services and other supports.

Following assessment, a caseworker may work with you on a range of self-identified issues or refer you internally or externally depending on your needs.

Your caseworker will help you to develop care plan to plot a pathway towards accessing any supports you may need and achieving your goals. It includes all the areas of your life where you want support and would like to make positive changes. All care plans and goals are developed at the initial stages of assessment between you and your caseworker.

The plan is designed to be flexible and can be adapted if your needs change or if you set yourself new goals.  The choices you make are always respected by your caseworker as you work through your care plan together. Your rights when accessing Ruhama services are guaranteed by the Service User Charter of Rights, which was developed by Ruhama service users in collaboration with staff.

Your caseworker can also help with referral into other Ruhama Services (for example, Education and Development and Bridge to Work programme) or to external services for assistance with issues relating to a number of areas, including sexual health, substance misuse/addiction, immigration and housing. They can provide psycho-social report and co-create an exiting support plan if desired.

Other areas of caseworker support

Legal support

  • Facilitate access to legal advice and follow up 
  • Supporting victims of crime 
  • Accompaniment to court proceedings
  • Accompaniment when providing statements to An Garda Síochána or other bodies in the justice system 
  • Advocacy throughout the legal process

Immigration support

  • Facilitation of access to immigration legal advice and follow up 
  • Provide advice around the IPO process
  • Advocacy throughout the immigration process

Drug/Alcohol support

  • Advocacy throughout the process of dealing with drug and alcohol issues 
  • Liaising with service user medical teams where appropriate 
  • Access to Reduce the Use and stabilisation programmes 
  • Referral to treatment programmes 
  • Referral to needle exchange services

Accommodation and Housing support

  • Advocacy and advice around the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) 
  • Assistance arranging temporary emergency accommodation when possible
  • Accompaniment to register as homeless 
  • Referral to housing agencies as appropriate

Contact us at FREEPHONE 1800 02 02 02 or email admin@ruhama.ie to make an appointment with a caseworker.