Social Care Worker

Role overview

Corlann’s West Region is hiring Social Care Workers for Caislean Adult Services in the Oranmore/Renmore area of County Galway. The service supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities through community-based, person-centred programmes that promote independence, community participation and a meaningful life shaped by each person’s choices.

This recruitment may create a panel for current and future permanent and specified-purpose opportunities, including full-time and part-time posts. Locum Social Care Worker positions may also arise.

About the service

Caislean Adult Services offers a broad mix of supports such as day services, residential supports, respite, community outreach, family support and multidisciplinary services. People are supported in day centres, supported employment, social and micro-enterprises, training and education, as well as in individualised and group residential settings in the community. The service aims to help people build friendships, develop valued community roles and live as independently as possible.

The organisation is looking for motivated, inventive and adaptable people who can work as part of a team and respond flexibly to the needs of the individuals they support.

Main purpose of the role

The Social Care Worker acts as a key supportive and advocacy-focused professional for adults using the service. The role centres on helping each person build skills, make informed decisions, follow person-centred plans and achieve their potential. A strong emphasis is placed on creativity, inclusive community participation and positive risk-taking in a safe, informed way.

Location and working pattern

The post is based across the Caislean Services network, which includes geographically dispersed day, residential, respite, training, education, employment, individualised and leisure settings within the West Sector Adult Services. The role may involve moving between community houses and day-care programme areas depending on service requirements.

Employees must be willing to work a wide range of hours. The roster runs on a 14-day cycle and may include weekend shifts, split duties, public holidays, evening or night duty and sleep-ins to meet service needs. The organisation’s service model requires flexibility to support high-quality, person-centred delivery.

Qualifications and experience

Applicants must meet the closing-date requirements. A suitable third-level qualification in Social Care is required, such as a CORU-registered social care qualification or one currently in the process of being registered with CORU. A full clean manual driving licence valid for manual transmission vehicles on Irish roads is essential. The successful candidate may also need to obtain a Class D1 driving licence; support will be provided for this if required.

Experience supporting people with intellectual disability, autism or complex needs is advantageous, but training and induction will be provided for the right candidate. Strong spoken and written English, along with solid IT ability, are essential.

Skills and attributes

Successful applicants should bring leadership and networking ability, strong organisation and planning skills, creative thinking, initiative, self-motivation, flexibility, sound judgement, patience and excellent listening skills. A sense of humour and a commitment to best practice, interdisciplinary teamwork and person-centred support are also important.

Pay and benefits

The role is paid according to the Department of Health Social Care Worker scale effective from 01/06/2026: €41,260 to €56,717 per year, based on 11 increments. A long-service increment of €57,789 per year applies after 3 years at the top of the scale. Pay is calculated on a 39-hour working week and is pro-rata for part-time hours. Extra payments are made for weekends, public holidays and night duty when worked. Incremental credit may be granted subject to verification of previous public-sector service.

Annual leave is 22 days per year, pro-rata for part-time staff, equivalent to 8.46 hours per 100 hours worked. Additional service-related leave is available after 5 and 10 years of service.

Tenure and probation

There are currently two permanent full-time pensionable vacancies. A recruitment panel may also be formed for future permanent, temporary or fixed-term Social Care Worker roles within Caislean Services over the next 6 months.

The appointment includes a probationary period of 9 months from the start date. During probation, employment may end if the employer determines that the appointee is not suitable to continue. The probation period may also be extended at the employer’s discretion.

Additional information

Informal enquiries can be made to Helen Lawrence, Area Manager, or Claire Keane, Service Co-ordinator, at 091 721410.

The application closing time is 5:00 pm on Sunday 5 July 2026. Interviews are scheduled for July 2026.

A full job description is available in the attached document.