Jul 31, 2025 | News & Events
On Monday 28th July 2025, Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality launched the KCYS Family Support Evaluation Report which was undertaken by Finbarr Fitzpatrick, Business Improvement Solutions.
The launch was attended by a wide cross section of statutory and community services working with children and families in Kerry. In her opening address, Minister Foley commended KCYS for taking this courageous step and congratulated the organisation on its long history of supporting children, young people and families in the community. She particularly welcomed the engagement of young people and parents in the research and stressed that the participation of young people in service design and decisions affecting their lives must be central to how we work.
Researcher Finbarr Fitzpatrick gave a brief overview of the key findings and recommendations included in the report advising that two main strengths emerged: intensive family support interventions led to positive outcomes for family functioning and targeted work with teens produced multiple benefits for youth mental health.
KCYS Intensive Family Support Services receives considerable funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Breda Lynch, Area 
Manager for Tusla Kerry spoke of the universal need for family support and how the collaboration between Tusla and KCYS, dating back to 1971 when the charity was first founded, enables additional resources to be made available to work more intensively with families when needed. She advised that the ultimate aim of this community-based service is to provide a range of supports to families referred by Tusla which could include increasing parenting capacity, strengthening fostering arrangements or supporting a family reunification process in line with Tusla’s mandate to keep children and young people protected and safe from harm.
Tim Nolan, Interim Manager of KCYS Intensive Family Support Services spoke of the principles that underpin their project’s work: strengths-based, voluntary engagement, partnership approach and a commitment to building trust by meeting the family ‘where they are at’.
Berni Smyth, CEO of KCYS explained that the review of KCYS Family Support Services coincided with the recent name change and re-brand the organisation undertaken in 2024 – transitioning from Kerry Diocesan to Kerry Community Youth Service. The evaluation allowed the organisation the space to reflect upon where family support sits within the KCYS integrated youth work model. KCYS concluded that family support and youth work are complementary and have many guiding principles and approaches in common.
‘Our integrated youth work model aims to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. By providing a range of supports, services and activities from universal to highly targeted interventions we are continuously striving to assist young people to reach their full potential which is the ultimate Purpose of our organisation. For some young people, work with their family is the vital first step towards creating stability and opens the door multiple opportunities on offer to young people via our integrated youth work model’.
The KCYS Family Support Evaluation Report is available to download at HERE
Jun 12, 2025 | News & Events
We recently held a strategic planning day with our team, taking time to reflect on our journey so far and align on where we’re headed next.
The day kicked off with a lively game of human bingo — a fun way to spark connection and reveal a healthy dose of team competitiveness! This was followed by three insightful workshops led by members of our senior management team, focusing on Trauma-Informed Care, Youth Participation and Our Buildings & Spaces
The energy and engagement in each session truly reflected our team’s commitment to our strategic goals and the young people we support.
In the afternoon, we were joined by Lisa Nicola Dunne from Mantra Strategy, who facilitated a powerful session exploring our why, our brand, and our culture. It was dynamic, insightful, and full of meaningful conversations. Key words and phrases that consistently appeared throughout the day included young people, support, inclusion, and community. The afternoon was visually and creatively recorded by David Fortune from Me & the Moon, 
We opened up important conversations about our culture including psychological safety. 
Of course, no team day is complete without a sweet treat! Our break featured an array of homemade (and maybe a few shop-bought!) desserts — all thoroughly enjoyed. We wrapped up the day with a well-earned ice cream to top it off.
Truly proud of this team and the work we do every day. The day was a reminder of our shared purpose and the strong alignment across the organisation. Excited for what comes next.
Apr 25, 2025 | Current Vacancies
Are you an exceptional leader driven to empower people and strengthen communities? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where social impact meets entrepreneurial spirit? If so, KCYS Killarney has an exciting opportunity for you!
Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS), a deeply rooted and impactful non-profit organisation in County Kerry, is seeking a dedicated
Centre Manager
Killarney based, 12 Month Fixed Term Contract, 35 hours per week,
26 days pro rata annual leave, paid sick leave scheme.
As Centre Manager you will lead the strategic development of KCYS Killarney, with an initial focus on growing our 47-bed accommodation enterprise. This role involves driving income generation, delivering business and marketing plans, and contributing to the wider strategic goals of the organisation. You will oversee daily operations in our established busy youth and community hub , ensuring a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment, while maintaining full compliance with all relevant policies and legislation. A key aspect of the role is team leadership—supporting staff, building a positive team culture, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.
At KCYS, you’ll be part of a passionate and dedicated team making a real difference in the lives of young people and families. We’re guided by our core values: Young Person Centred, Inclusive, Respectful, Non-Judgemental, Rights Based, and Empowering. If you’re someone who leads with integrity and strives for excellence, we’d love to hear from you.
Why Join Us?
Meaningful Work – Make a real impact on young lives & local community! – Professional Development – Training & career growth opportunities – Supportive Team – Work in an environment that values creativity & collaboration – Competitive Benefits – Salary, enhanced annual leave, paid sick leave scheme & more
If you’re motivated, passionate, and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Join us & experience a quality & inclusive work environment, job satisfaction, flexible working, & more………..
Job Description and post requirements available to download here:
Please submit Curriculum Vitae and cover letter outlining your suitability for the post(s) to humanresources@kcys.ie
A panel may be formed from which future vacancies across KCYS may be filled.
Please note – we reserve the right to close or extend this campaign subject to application numbers.
Therefore, we would urge you to submit an application as soon as possible.
KCYS is an Equal Opportunities Employer — KCYS is a Gold Standard Health Promoting Youth Organisation — KCYS complies with the Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charity Organisations in Ireland
Jan 20, 2023 | Current Vacancies
We are currently expanding our Relief Panel & Sessional Worker Panel!!
We are forming a panel of suitably qualified personnel who may be engaged to undertake short-term work with various programmes throughout the organisation.
Sessional Workers
are experts in their field and may be engaged to deliver specialist programmes through out the organisation.
Relief Panel
placement on our relief panel allows you to avail of short term pieces of work in various departments throughout the organisation – Youth Work, Youth Information, Family Support, Administration, Website/Social Media etc.
The benefits of being on the panel allows you gain quality work experience, build your professional profile, accept/decline work on your own availability, experience various aspects of the work as you develop your career and so much more!
Applicants should have qualification in own field or specialism, if applicable, strong communication and inter-personal skills, be flexible in approach to work, ability to work individually or as part of a team. Experience in similar setting is desirable.
- Rate of pay is variable subject budget and requirements of the duties undertaken
- Placement on the panel is not a guarantee of employment
- Employment with KCYS is subject to a satisfactory response from the Garda Vetting Unit being received in relation to any candidate under consideration and satisfactory reference checks being received.
To apply for placement on the panel please submit to humanresources@kcys.ie
Relief Workers – Curriculum Vitae and cover letter outlining suitability
Sessional Workers – Expression of interest outlining skills, qualifications and suitability, details of business if applicable
For further information please email: humanresources@kcys.ie
Please note – we reserve the right to close or extend this campaign subject to application numbers.
Therefore, we would urge you to submit an application as soon as possible
KCYS is an Equal Opportunities Employer — KCYS is a Gold Standard Health Promoting Youth Organisation — KCYS complies with the Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charity Organisations in Ireland
Oct 28, 2022 | Education, News & Events
KDYS Youth Information delivers a ‘KDYS Transfer Programme’ to 6th class students across Kerry. The programme aims to support young people in their transition into secondary school.
KDYS have been delivering the KDYS Transfer Programmes to schools across the county for over 15 years and have impacted on more than 35 schools annually since 2021. The programme was researched and produced by KDYS youth workers, utilising both internal and external resources and was reviewed and updated in 2022 by the then 6th class students from several schools across the county. The programme is delivered in a fun, informative and interactive manner.
KDYS Transfer Programme is made up of four sessions delivered weekly using a workbook. . This workbook will remain with the student at the end of the programme. Each session focuses on a different aspect of secondary school. The programme aims to reduce anxiety associated with moving onto second level education. Young people are encouraged to ask questions, to identify their concerns and expectations. To get to know as much as they can about their new school prior to moving in September.
In 2024 KDYS Youth Information introduced a pilot peer education programme, to enable 4th year students to deliver the programme to 6th class students. The programme has been piloted in Castleisland and Killorglin. The Transition Year students in Castleisland Community College and Killorglin Community College have trained to deliver the KDYS Transfer Programme to three primary schools in Castleisland and one primary school in Killorglin.
This programme provides TY students with the opportunity to gain additional skills and to share their knowledge of life in secondary school with 6th class students. The 6th class students in turn get to build positive relationships with the TY students, providing them with a readymade support network when they move into secondary school in September.
The launch was attended by a wide cross section of statutory and community services working with children and families in Kerry. In her opening address, Minister Foley commended KCYS for taking this courageous step and congratulated the organisation on its long history of supporting children, young people and families in the community. She particularly welcomed the engagement of young people and parents in the research and stressed that the participation of young people in service design and decisions affecting their lives must be central to how we work.
Manager for Tusla Kerry spoke of the universal need for family support and how the collaboration between Tusla and KCYS, dating back to 1971 when the charity was first founded, enables additional resources to be made available to work more intensively with families when needed. She advised that the ultimate aim of this community-based service is to provide a range of supports to families referred by Tusla which could include increasing parenting capacity, strengthening fostering arrangements or supporting a family reunification process in line with Tusla’s mandate to keep children and young people protected and safe from harm.
