At Western Care we aim to provide the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate setting for the people we support. And right now, we are looking to grow and support our team across County Mayo.
Why not be part of a progressive team, that's delivering for its community.
Western Care - Supporting People To Live Their Lives.
Post details
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Permanent 35 hours per week
- Reference Number 2026-148
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Closing date: July 8th, 2026
Application Process
- Please apply using current C.V.
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Further information available from: Dr. Yvonne Tarleton, Principal Psychologist & Clinical Lead Email: [email protected]
Additional Information
Please note that panels may be formed from this competition to fill similar posts within the organisation.
Job Brief
Western Care are recruiting a Senior Psychologist to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team, in supporting adults with neurodiverse needs, including intellectual disabilities and Autism.
We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated in working with adults with neurodiverse needs, who are skilled and knowledgeable about this area of practice, can demonstrate experience of person-centered planning, working as part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team, and engaging in research in the disability field.
Salary Scales
Senior Psychologist Pay Scale (Scale Range €97,976 to €115,163 per annum)
- this is based on full time working hours i.e. 35 per week
Other Duties Involved (Duties include, but are not limited to, the following)
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Contribute to and actively participate in the local service planning process, supporting the creative development and responding to the ongoing and changing needs of the service.
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Ensure a safe and respectful workplace, adhering to the organisation's Dignity at Work Policy and all Health & Safety requirements.
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Promote safety in all environments in line with the Association's practices and guidelines.
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Use positive and proactive approaches to support individuals who may present challenging behaviours, consistent with organisational policies and best practice.
Other Requirements
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Full driver's license and use of a car is essential.
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All applicants will be subject to Irish Garda Vetting and Reference checks.
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Applicants from countries outside the E.U. must provide relevant work authorization to take up employment in the Republic of Ireland. This documentation must be submitted with the application.
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Applicants who have lived outside of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland for more than six months since the age of 16 will be required to provide Overseas Police Clearance.
Employment Benefits
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Competitive Salary in line with Department of Health consolidated scales
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Premium payments, including anti-social hours payments on residential rosters.
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Pension and Life Insurance Scheme.
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Generous Annual Leave often exceeding statutory entitlement.
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Dedicated learning and opportunities for career progression
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Flexible working arrangements where feasible.
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Comprehensive Induction process.
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Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes counselling support.
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Bike-to-Work Scheme.
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Sick pay scheme.
Health
Applicants must be fully competent and capable of performing the duties of this role and be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of providing regular, reliable and efficient service
Purpose of the Role
Western Care are recruiting a Senior Psychologist to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team, in supporting adults with neurodiverse needs, including intellectual disabilities and Autism. We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated in working with adults with neurodiverse needs, who are skilled and knowledgeable about this area of practice, can demonstrate experience of person-centred planning, working as part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team, and engaging in research in the disability field.
As a person-centred service, Western Care Association places the person we support first. This drives the way services are organised, and how decisions are made. This also guides the way we deliver our clinical services. In adopting a neurodiversity affirmative approach, we recognise every person that we support as an individual with unique feelings and experiences. We recognise this immense value in diversity and seek to develop practices which are deep rooted in understanding neurodivergence and attuned to people's specific wants and needs.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Clinical Duties:
o Be responsible for the delivery of professional psychology services appropriate to the post in line with best practice.
o Carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post, whilst working within limits of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance.
o Formulate and implement plans for psychological therapeutic intervention based on an appropriate conceptual framework, working in a variety of settings as appropriate.
o Represent and advocate for the psychological needs of people supported.
o Communicate effectively and work in co-operation with team members and others to ensure integrated service provision.
o Develop and maintain close liaison with key stakeholders.
o Contribute a psychological perspective to case planning and multi-agency case working.
o Ensure co-ordinated interdisciplinary and inter-agency service delivery.
o Provide clinical supervision to other Psychology staff members.
o Provide professional reports as required in accordance with professional standards.
o Promote a culture that values equality, diversity and respect in the workplace.
Research & Evaluation Duties:
o Participate in evaluation of clinical activity and provide such information as required for the purpose of service monitoring, evaluation and improvement.
o Undertake audit and service evaluation with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.
o Utilise evidence-based literature and research to support effective practice.
o Promote service-related research, providing research advice as appropriate.
o Represent a professional viewpoint in relation to nationally accepted good practice, promoting a high level of ethical standards and professional conduct.
o Lead and contribute to developments and innovative practice within the organisation.
Candidate Requirements
Essential:
o A University Degree or Diploma with first or second class honours in which Psychology was taken as major subject and honours obtained in that subject.
o A recognised post-graduate professional qualification in Clinical, Educational or Counselling psychology that meets the requirements of the Psychological Society of Ireland and is validated by the Department of Health and Children.
o At least two years post qualification experience.
o Full clean driving licence and the use of a car
Desirable:
Previous experience of conducting interdisciplinary assessments with adults with complex needs
o Experience working in a disability service
o Previous experience of developing and facilitating training and intervention programmes
o Experience of excellent interdisciplinary team working
o A keen interest in research and experience of conducting various types of research in a disability setting
Other Requirements
- Full driver's license is essential. Candidates must hold a full clean driving license.
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Have access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.
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Participate in an on-call rota as required.
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All applicants will be subject to Irish Garda Vetting & Reference checks.
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All applicants from Countries outside the E.U. will be required to provide relevant work authorization to take up employment in Republic of Ireland. This must be submitted along with Application.
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All applicants will be required to access Overseas Police Clearance if they have lived outside of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland more than 6 months since the age of 18 years.
Working Relationships and Communication
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Understand and operate all relevant local and organisational procedure, directives and general information made available through the line manager.
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Develop and contribute to good working relationships in the Organisation and with all other relevant personnel.
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Report to and appraise line manager or designate of all work-related issues and difficulties.
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Follow the Association's Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure, available in the Association's Staff Handbook.
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Act in a confidential manner when dealing with personal information relating to persons we support, families and staff.
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Attend and actively participate in staff meetings.
Actively participate in supervisory support as per Organisation Procedure.
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General
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Promote and develop good community networks which support inclusion and integration to the people we support.
- Promote a positive image and name of the Association in the wider community.
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Be accountable and responsible for input into service planning and delivery, together with job performance as per role within the Association.
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Promote dignity at work and show respect to the people we support, colleagues and stakeholders in the course of duty.
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Attend staff training events as required and implement learning in the workplace.
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Perform any other appropriate duties as requested by the person in charge.
Conditions
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The Job Description forms an integral part of the Contract of Employment, together with the Association's Policies and Procedures.
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Flexibility in working hours may be a feature of this position, to meet the needs of the department.
- To engage with and use the technology systems and packages provided by the Association to support day to day work and future planning needs.
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You will receive support and supervision from your line manager regarding your day to day work through the Supervisory Support Process in place in the Association.
Initial Base: Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Working Hours: 35 hours per week including flexibility
Probation: A probationary period of six months from the date of appointment applies to the post. The employment may be terminated at any time during the probationary period should the employer find that the appointee is unsuitable to continue employment. The probation period may be extended at the Employer's discretion.
Tenure: This position is Permanent full-time and pensionable.
Reports To: Principal Psychologist
This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested by management from time to time and to reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.
