Job Title: Residential Care Manager
Location: Carlow Town, Co. Carlow
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: €55,000 – €65,000 per year (DOE)
Start Date: To be confirmed.
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 seeking an experienced Residential Care Manager to lead our residential service. The successful candidate will hold full operational responsibility — leading the care team, ensuring Tusla compliance, and maintaining a safe, structured, and trauma-informed environment for the young people in our care.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day operations of a 24-hour residential care service for young people aged 16–17
- Lead, supervise, and support care staff across all shifts
- Ensure full compliance with Tusla regulations, Children First, and HIQA standards
- Oversee care planning, placement plans, risk assessments, and incident management
- Maintain a safe, structured, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed environment
- Collaborate with Tusla social workers, schools, healthcare providers, and community supports
- Manage rosters, staff supervision, performance, development, and training
- Promote life skills, independence, and positive outcomes for young people
- Drive continuous quality improvement
Requirements
- Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care, Youth Work, Community Work, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a senior or management role within children's residential, youth, or community care services
- Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
- Experience supporting vulnerable young people, including those from diverse backgrounds
- Proven ability to manage crisis situations and maintain strong safeguarding practices
- Sound knowledge of trauma-informed and child-centred care models
- Currently hold or working towards a management qualification in health or social care
Desirable
- Experience in children's residential care
- CORU registration as a Social Care Worker (an advantage)
- Experience in SCSIP or refugee support settings
- Youth homelessness or out-of-home care experience
- Safeguarding, risk management, and regulatory compliance
- TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) certification
- Manual Handling certification
- First Aid Responder (FAR) certification
What We Offer
- €55,000 – €65,000 per annum (DOE)
- Full-time permanent position
- Opportunity to lead a new service from day one
- Ongoing CPD and leadership development
- 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.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: €55,000.00-€65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Experience:
- management or leadership: 3 years (required)
Language:
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
