Children's Residential Care Worker

Overview

Odyssey Social Care Ltd, a prominent provider of children’s residential care in Ireland located at Tigroney Lodge, Avoca, County Wicklow, is looking to expand its team by hiring Children's Residential Care Workers. The organisation prioritises trauma-informed care through their Odyssey Model of Care, focusing on therapeutic interventions, education, emotional wellbeing, and positive role models. Their mission is to empower young people living in a secure, structured, and supportive environment.

Role Summary

The Children’s Residential Care Worker will play a crucial hands-on role supporting young individuals with complex needs, behavioural challenges, and emotional difficulties. The responsibilities include delivering tailored care, applying behaviour support plans, and aiding youth in developing vital life skills, resilience, and self-confidence. This role suits people dedicated to social care, youth work, and therapeutic residential environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Behaviour Support Plans, Placement Plans, and comprehensive risk assessments.
• Provide trauma-informed, child-centered residential care tailored to individual needs.
• Assist young people with their education, homework, routines, and school participation.
• Encourage development of independence, life skills, emotional regulation, and constructive behaviour.
• Keep accurate and detailed daily records, logs, and incident documentation.
• Maintain effective communication with parents, social workers, educational institutions, and referral sources.
• Engage actively in team meetings, staff supervision, training sessions, and initiatives for service improvement.
• Support household routines including cooking, cleaning, and sustaining a homely atmosphere.
• Manage petty cash responsibly and comply with financial procedures.
• Adhere strictly to safeguarding, child protection guidelines, TUSLA standards, confidentiality protocols, and organisational policies.
• Help maintain a secure, structured, and supportive residential environment.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or relevant alternatives such as QQI Level 8 in Psychology, QQI Level 7 in Youth & Community or related fields, professional qualifications in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling, Addiction Counselling, Early Years Care, Teaching (excluding TEFL), Nursing, Applied Policing, or Custodial Care.
• Possession of a full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland.
• Experience working with teenagers exhibiting challenging behaviour.
• Knowledge of the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres in Ireland.
• Right to live and work in Ireland.
• Registration with CORU to use the title 'Social Care Worker'.

Company Culture and Benefits

• Flexible shift patterns supporting work-life balance, including day and sleepover shifts.
• Professional training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice.
• Participation in team-building activities and social events.
• Access to education assistance grants, health insurance and life insurance grants.
• Progressive pay increments tied to experience and performance.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) available to employees and families from the first day of employment.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment with clear career advancement pathways.

Organisation Values and Commitments

Odyssey Social Care embraces values including safety, quality, trust, empowerment, inclusion, and impact. The organisation fosters a diverse, inclusive culture and is a Certified B Corp committed to sustainable care practices that consider people, communities, and the environment.

Additional Information

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 1st October 2026. This is a full-time role based onsite at Tigroney Lodge, Avoca, County Wicklow, Ireland. The annual salary ranges from €37,440 to €41,184. Applicants must meet the listed qualification and licensing requirements.