Job Title: Residential Care Worker / Team Leader
Location: Carlow Town, Co. Carlow
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: €16.50 – €21.00 per hour (DOE)
About Tír na nÓg Care
Tír na nÓg Care is a children's residential care provider based in Carlow Town, referred through Tusla – Child and Family Agency, supporting young people aged 16–17. Our focus is on providing care, support, and a trauma-informed environment while actively preparing young people for their transition to independent living and aftercare. Building independent living skills and empowering young people within a safe, stable, and homely environment is central to everything we do.
The Role
We are recruiting for both Residential Care Worker and Team Leader positions within our residential care service. The successful candidates will provide safety, stability, emotional support, and practical guidance to young people in our care, working within a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and child-centred framework.
We welcome applications from candidates at both levels — the role offered will reflect the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.
Shift Pattern
This is a residential care service operating across a rolling rota. Staff are required to work a combination of day shifts, sleepover shifts with a sleeping allowance, and waking nights where applicable. All overnight shifts are remunerated in line with industry standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day care, supervision, and guidance across all shift types including overnight
- Build safe, trusting relationships using trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches
- Support young people with education, activities, appointments, and community integration
- Promote independent living skills, emotional wellbeing, and positive outcomes
- Maintain a safe, structured, and homely environment at all times
- Complete daily logs, reports, incident records, and risk assessments accurately
- Work collaboratively with Tusla, schools, healthcare providers, and external agencies
- Participate in team meetings, training, and reflective practice
Residential Care Worker — Requirements
- Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care, Youth Work, Community Work, or a related field
- CORU registration, eligible for CORU registration, or working towards it (an advantage)
- Experience in residential care, youth work, or working with vulnerable young people desirable
Team Leader — Requirements
- Minimum Level 7/8 qualification in Social Care, Youth Work, Community Work, or a related field
- Minimum 2 years' experience in a residential care or similar setting
- Demonstrated ability to lead, support, and guide a care team
- CORU registration an advantage
- Experience in children's residential care, SCSIP, or out-of-home care desirable
Desirable for Both Roles
- TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) certification
- Manual Handling certification
- First Aid Responder (FAR) certification
- Experience with young people from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Full clean driving licence
What We Offer
- €16.50 – €21.00 per hour (DOE)
- Sleepover allowance paid in addition to hourly rate
- Full-time permanent positions
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Sick pay
- On-site parking
- Ongoing CPD and training
- Meaningful work with some of the most vulnerable young people in Ireland
All appointments are subject to Garda vetting and satisfactory pre-employment checks in line with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016.
Work authorisation: Must be eligible to work in Ireland.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: €16.50-€21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- A Driving Licence (preferred)
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
