Join the Founding Team at Best Care Residential
Best Care Residential Ltd is a new children's residential care provider based in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. We are preparing to open our first registered residential centre and are currently recruiting our founding staff team.
This is a unique opportunity to join a new organisation from the very beginning and help shape the culture, values and future of our service.
Our first home, Mill Bridge House, will provide mainstream residential care for young people aged 10–17 years referred by Tusla. Our service is built around trauma-informed practice and our Welltree Model of Care, with a strong emphasis on relationships, therapeutic care and helping young people achieve positive outcomes.
As Best Care grows, we are committed to investing in our people through structured supervision, ongoing training and genuine career progression opportunities.
About the Role
As a Residential Care Worker, you will play a key role in providing safe, nurturing and child-centred care to young people living in the home.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will help create a therapeutic environment where young people feel safe, respected and supported to reach their full potential.
Depending on qualifications and experience, successful candidates may also be considered for appointment as a Senior Residential Care Worker.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality, child-centred care in line with individual care plans.
- Build positive, trusting and therapeutic relationships with young people.
- Support young people with daily routines, education, health, emotional wellbeing and independent living skills.
- Promote positive behaviour using trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches.
- Implement the Welltree Model of Care in everyday practice.
- Maintain accurate daily records, handovers, incident reports and other documentation.
- Work collaboratively with families, social workers, guardians ad litem, schools and other professionals.
- Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are upheld at all times in accordance with Children First.
- Participate fully in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing training.
- Contribute to a positive, respectful and supportive team culture.
- Help create a safe, welcoming and nurturing home environment.
Essential Criteria
Applicants should have:
- A relevant Level 7 or Level 8 qualification suitable for working in children's residential services.
- Experience working with children and young people in residential care, disability services, family support, youth work, foster care or other relevant care settings.
- A good understanding of safeguarding principles and Children First.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and report-writing skills.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- A full clean driving licence.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working within children's residential services.
- CORU registration as a Social Care Worker, or eligibility to register where applicable.
- Experience supporting young people who have experienced trauma or present with complex needs.
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
- Training in trauma-informed practice.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary teams.
Relevant Qualifications
Applications are welcomed from candidates holding relevant qualifications, including:
- BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Social Care)
- BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice
- BA or BSc in Social Care
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Social Work
- Other relevant Level 7 or Level 8 qualifications suitable for working in children's residential services.
If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, we encourage you to apply or contact us for an informal discussion.
What We Offer
- Salary of €35,000–€42,000 depending on qualifications, experience and role.
- Opportunity to join Best Care from the beginning and help shape our culture.
- Clear opportunities for career progression as the organisation grows.
- Comprehensive induction programme.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
- Structured supervision and reflective practice.
- A supportive and experienced leadership team.
- A trauma-informed therapeutic model of care.
- A positive workplace culture where staff wellbeing and development are valued.
Safeguarding and Recruitment
Best Care Residential Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All appointments are subject to:
- Garda Vetting
- Verification of qualifications
- Verification of employment history
- Satisfactory references
- Medical fitness to work
- Any other pre-employment checks required under legislation or Tusla guidance.
Apply Now
To apply, please send your CV together with a short cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role, OR Apply via Indeed.
Email: [email protected]
Pay: €35,000.00-€42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- On-site parking
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a Level 7 or Level 8 qualification in Social Care, Social Work, Youth Work, Psychology, or a related discipline?
- Are you currently registered with CORU as a Social Care Worker, or eligible and in the process of applying?
- Have you worked in a trauma-informed setting or received training in trauma-informed practice?
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
