Odyssey Social Care Ltd is a leading provider of children’s residential care in Ireland. We are committed to delivering high quality, trauma informed support to young people through the Odyssey Model of Care, which focuses on therapeutic intervention, education, emotional wellbeing, and positive role modelling. Our mission is to empower young people to reach their full potential in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment.
We are expanding our team and now inviting applications for Part-Time Children’s Residential Care Workers (also referred to as Social Care Workers, Residential Social Care Workers, or Youth Residential Workers) for our services based in Avoca and Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
We offer the following flexible part-time contracts:
- 16 hours per week (€12,480 - €13,728 Annually or €240.00 - €264.00/week)
- 24.5 hours per week (€18,720 - €20,592 Annually or €360 – €396/week)
- 30 hours per week (€23,400 - €25,740 Annually or €450.00 – €495.00/week)
As a Children’s Residential Care Worker, you will play a vital frontline role in supporting young people with complex needs, challenging behaviour, and emotional or behavioural difficulties. You will deliver individualised care, implement behaviour support plans, and help young people develop life skills, resilience, and confidence. This role is ideal for someone passionate about social care, youth work, and therapeutic residential practice.
Why Join Odyssey Social Care?-
Flexible rosters supporting work life balance
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Core professional training (TCI, safeguarding, trauma informed practice, etc.)
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Teambuilding activities & social events
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Education assistance grants
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Health insurance grant & life insurance
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Incremental pay scale
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Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for employees and families from Day 1
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Supportive, collaborative team culture
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Clear career progression pathways
Key Responsibilities:-
Develop and implement Behaviour Support Plans, Placement Plans, and risk assessments
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Provide trauma informed, child centred, and responsive residential care
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Support young people with education, homework, routines, and school engagement
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Promote life skills, independence, emotional regulation, and positive behaviour
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Maintain accurate daily records, logs, and incident reports
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Communicate effectively with parents, social workers, schools, and referral agents
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Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and service development
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Assist with domestic routines, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a homely environment
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Manage petty cash and follow financial procedures
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Uphold safeguarding, child protection, TUSLA standards, confidentiality, and company policies
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Contribute to a safe, structured, and supportive residential setting
Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or one of the following:
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QQI Level 8 in Psychology
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QQI Level 7 in Youth & Community, Social Science, Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, ABA
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Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling
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Early Years Care (for centres supporting children under 12)
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Professional Qualification in Teaching (nonTEFL) or Nursing
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BA in Applied Policing
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Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service)
Required Criteria-
Full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland
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Experience working with teenagers with challenging behaviour
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Familiarity with National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres
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Right to live and work in Ireland
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CORU Registration for use of the Title ‘Social Care Worker’
If you are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and want to build a rewarding career in children’s residential social care, we would love to hear from you.
About The Role
When you work with Odyssey Social Care, you’re part of a dedicated team that’s as supportive to each other as we are to the young people in our care. Because we know that our success depends on yours, you’ll get continuous on the job training through our network of certified trainers. Quite simply, our supportive, adaptive and flexible approach is designed to give you the best opportunities to progress through the company and further your social care career.
Required Criteria
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Do you have a minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or a relevant and related field that meets the criteria to be registered as a Social Care Worker with CORU.
Desired Criteria
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Do you have familiarity with the Irish National Standards in Children’s Residential Centres.
Skills Needed
About The Company
Overview
Mission: Odyssey Social Care provides safe homes where children and young people can heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and discover their own strengths. We give them the support and opportunities they need to build resilience and step into a brighter future.
Working for Odyssey Social Care involves being part of a team (led by CEO Stacey McGrath, above) dedicated to supporting children and young people.
As professional caregivers, we are caring, compassionate and resilient. We work with children who have experienced trauma, and believe in healing through trusting care relationships.
The Odyssey Way
We put the needs of the child at the forefront of everything we do. Our care framework is designed to be flexible, responsive and provide holistic care to our young people.
Our care model, The Odyssey Way, is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led. It supports the needs of each individual child, helping them to work through trauma by focusing on overall wellbeing.
Our unique, specialised intervention, the Odyssey Saoirse Project, uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills and positive mentoring to help young people heal, grow and thrive.
Company Culture
Our Values
Safety – safe homes, safe care, safe relationships
Quality – trauma-informed, evidence-based, outcome-led
Trust – built through honest communication and consistency
Empowerment – giving young people and staff the tools to succeed
Inclusion – equity and belonging for all
Impact – measurable difference for young people, staff, communities & planet
Accessibility & Sustainability
Odyssey Social Care is committed to encouraging a culture of diversity and inclusion across our organisation.
As a Certified B Corp, we also believe in providing care sustainably, measuring our impact across our people, our communities, and the planet.
Company Benefits
On joining Odyssey, you’ll be supported every step of the way.
Competitive salary & incremental pay progression
Flexible rostering that supports work-life balance
Accredited training & continuous development
Education assistance grants
Health & life insurance supports
Social events & wellbeing supports
Real career progression – 80%+ of our leaders Have grown from within
We believe in caring for our staff with the same commitment we bring to the young people in our homes.
For more details, visit About Us
Flexible schedule, Employee development programs, A diversity program, Cycle to work, Referral bonus, Company retreats, Life insurance, Employee Assistance Scheme, Social Opportunities, Culture of recognition, On the job learning, Long service awards
Salary
€240.00 - €495.00 per week
