Job Title Social Care/Residential Team Leader
Hours of Work: Day and night shifts over a 7-day roster
Salary: 45,000 - 55,000 euros per year
Holidays: 20 days per annum pro rata
Reporting to: Social Care Manager
Contract: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Dublin and Drogheda, Louth
Job Purpose
To work as part of a children’s residential centre team to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people to grow up in. The primary purpose is to safeguard, support, and promote the holistic development of young people, helping them heal from trauma, develop coping strategies, and prepare for adulthood.
Duties and Responsibilities
Working with Children
- To participate in the development and implementation of Care and Placement Plans and to ensure appropriate recording of same.
- To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the centre.
- To promote physical, emotional, social and religious welfare of each young person in care.
- To encourage attendance at school, training centres, medical and clinical appointments.
- To be responsible for the organisation of personal documents, arrangements, information and finance on behalf of the young person.
- To liaise with the parent, family, general services and other agencies on behalf of the young person.
- To attend meetings in relation to the care and developments of the young person.
- To engage in age-appropriate play and other activities with each child/young person within the centre.
- To engage in physical intervention and / or restraint which is in keeping with local policies and procedures.
Household Activities
- To prepare and provide, in conjunction with the young people, well balanced meals of high quality.
- To undertake various aspects of home management including the household budget, upkeep and cleaning.
Administration and Accountability
- To attend team meetings and to report to the Social Care Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.
- To be accountable for any money spent on behalf of Care Ireland during the course of duty.
- To make written and verbal reports to the Social Care Manager on a regular basis on the progress of development of the young person.
- Reporting and recording any incidents, however minor, that may happen to the young person or are caused by them.
- To be familiar with emergency procedures and to know who to contact in an emergency.
- To work as a member of a team.
- To keep abreast of current legislation and current professional child care knowledge.
- To implement Care Ireland’s procedures and policies.
- To undertake ongoing professional training and development.
- To attend regular supervision with the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care Manager (to be determined by the management structure in the Centre)
- To supervise Social Care Workers and / or students as appropriate / required under the direction of the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care Manager (to be determined by the management structure in the Centre)
- To prepare reports for and to participate in professional meetings including case conferences and strategy meetings ensuring that all records relating to those meetings are maintained to a high standard as appropriate / required under the direction of the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care Manager (to be determined by the management structure in the Centre).
- To be responsible for decision making when on shift and in the absence of the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care Manager as appropriate, which will include accepting overall responsibility for the residential centre
- To provide cover for the Deputy Social Care Manager or Social Care Manager (to be determined by the management structure in the Centre) in his/her absence as appropriate / required under the direction of the Social Care Manager.
- To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.
- To work live nights.
- To be part of a team that provides on call to the centre.
Health & Safety
- Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
- Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Care Ireland protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
- To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient social service.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
Be registered in the Social Care Worker Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained at CORU (or have entitlement to be registered and application submitted).
OR
Hold a relevant qualification to the minimal level 7 prescribed in the following disciplines:
- QQI Level 7 in Psychology
- QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
- QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Counselling/Psychotherapy
- QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Addiction Counselling
- QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community or similar
- QQI Level 7 in Social Science/Social Studies
- QQI Level 7 in Family Support
- QQI Level 7 in Disability Studies
- QQI Level 7 in Applied Behavioural Analysis
- QQI Level 7 in Early Years Care
- Professional Qualification in Social Work
- Professional Qualification in Teaching (Not TEFL)
- Professional Qualification in Nursing Studies
- BA in Applied Policing or equivalent
- Holder of Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent
AND
- For those eligible for CORU registration, they must maintain live annual registration with the relevant CORU Registration Board.
AND
Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
AND
Have a minimum of three years’ post qualification experience of working in a Children & Families Service or other relevant environment with a similar client group.
Health
A candidate for, and any person holding, the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Desirable:
- Experience working with separated children seeking international protection, asylum seekers, or refugee communities.
- Knowledge of the Irish International Protection system and relevant legislation.
- Full, clean driver’s licence.
Personal Attributes
- Compassionate, culturally aware, and non-judgmental.
- Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills.
- Resilient, flexible, and able to work in a dynamic and emotionally demanding environment.
- Commitment to equality, inclusion, and children’s rights.
Benefits
- Flexible working hours
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Employee Pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
Additional Information
- The post holder will be required to work duty rosters as required, including weekends, public holidays and night duty including live nights.
- This position is subject to Garda Vetting, reference checks, and verification of qualifications.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: €45,000.00-€55,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
