Locum Relief Support Worker

Overview

Corlann’s West Region is recruiting for a locum relief support worker to serve Galway City and County. The position is based in services across the region, with staffing assignments placed either in centre-based residential or day services, or in community settings depending on service need.

Role summary

This post is centred on providing direct support and key-working care to people supported by the service. A large part of the role involves day-to-day personal care, including help with meals, hygiene and other needs connected to physical well-being. The role also includes supporting people to work towards individual plans and the outcomes linked to them, while actively encouraging participation and inclusion in the wider community.

Reporting line

The role reports to the staff nurse in charge, team leader, team manager, or service coordinator.

Qualifications and requirements

Applicants should have a sound general education. A recognised qualification in intellectual disability services, or a FETAC Level 5 qualification, would be an advantage.

A full, clean Irish manual driving licence is preferred. However, the successful applicant must commit to obtaining a full licence within nine months of starting, as driving service transport is an essential part of the job. Because of the nature and location of the services, some areas require a full, clean, manual licence, and candidates without one may not be eligible for certain placements.

If the appointee does not already hold a Class D1 driving licence, it may also be necessary to obtain one. Support will be provided to help with this process.

Strong spoken and written English is essential.

Experience and skills

Previous experience supporting people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour is desirable, although training will be provided.

Applicants should bring flexibility, good communication, strong teamwork and genuine enthusiasm for the role.

Working pattern and leave

The role offers up to 39 hours per week on a 7-day and night rota. Successful candidates will be contacted as and when required, and may need to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, public holidays, night duty, sleep-ins and other irregular hours to meet service demands.

Annual leave is 22 days pro rata per year, equivalent to 8.46 hours for every 100 hours worked.

Pay

The role is paid according to Department of Health salary scales effective from 01/06/2026. The scale for Care Assistant Disability Services runs from €34,881 to €47,624 per annum for a 39-hour week, pro rata for part-time hours. After three years at the top of the scale, a long service increment of €48,434 per annum pro rata may apply.

Extra payments are made for weekends, public holidays, sleep-ins and night duty when worked. The successful candidate may also receive incremental credit subject to satisfactory verification of previous public sector service.

Tenure

The organisation intends to create a locum panel of support workers who will be called upon as needed to cover leave across the services.

Probation

A probationary period of nine months applies from the date of appointment. Employment may end at any point during probation if the employer considers the appointee unsuitable. The probation period can also be extended at the employer’s discretion.

Additional information

The full job description is attached. Corlann is an equal opportunities employer. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.