Care Assistants - Full Time (Residential & Community Settings)

Horizons; Cork; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary scales as per HSE/CareAssistant

Professional development

Paid maternity leave

Pension

Training and development

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Horizons - Cope Foundation in Cork Communities is seeking Care Assistants for full-time roles across Cork City and County, in residential and community settings. Positions include day and night shifts on a 78-hour fortnight schedule, with flexible work across multiple sites.

The pay is on the 13-point Care Assistant scale (as of 01/06/2026); new hires start at the minimum point unless prior service applies, with incremental credit for recognised relevant experience in Ireland.

Qualifications

• QQI Level 5 Major Award in Healthcare/Intellectual Disability (all 8 modules completed).
• Familiar with current legislation (ADMA, UNCRPD).
• Excellent team working skills.
• Initiative, flexibility and enthusiasm.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in verbal and written English.
• Creativity, person-centred and adaptable mindset.
• IT skills and report writing experience.
• Valid work permission in Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with individuals’ circles of support and communities.
• Provide care in residential or day services with flexibility for shifts.
• Uphold person-centred, citizen-based and social model of support.
• Assist with report writing and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Multitasking

Report Writing

Education

QQI Level 5 Major Award in Healthcare/Intellectual Disability

Job description

Care Assistants - Full Time (Residential & Community Settings)

• Cork City, County Cork, Ireland
• Full time, Permanent

Who We Are

Horizons - Cope Foundation in Cork Communities is one of the top 150 Employers in Ireland. Our organisation is deeply embedded in communities and we are one of the largest not-for-profit organisations in Munster. MissionHorizons supports people with an intellectual disability and additional needs such as autism or physical and medical conditions. We empower people to live a life of their choosing, connected and participating in their communities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights

Skills and attributes

• At Multitasking
• Report Writing

Description

Care Assistants

Aligned to the Care Assistant(Disability Services) pay scale

Salary: The 13-point salary scale for the post as of 01/06/2026.

Pease note that successful candidates will commence on point 1 of the Care Assistant scale unless they have previous service directly with the HSE or a Section 38 agency in which case relevant service may be taken into account for salary placement.

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Locations

We have roles in various locations across Cork City & County, candidates can be assigned to any location across our services.

Shift Work position

78-hour fortnight

(Day Shift and Night Shift)

In line with our growing services Horizons is looking to recruit Care Assistants to support people with an intellectual disability and/or autism to flourish and lead a life of their choosing. This is a real opportunity to support people to reach their dreams, hopes, and wishes every day.

The successful applicants may be required to work in existing Horizons residential or day service/hub locations, as part of a team or in new community-based settings.

The positions require a high degree of flexibility and motivation.

The team members will work closely with individuals’ circles of support and their local community in order to develop and progress opportunities for them. A commitment to a person centred, citizen based, and social model of support is required.

Applicants must possess the competencies and skills appropriate to working with persons with an intellectual disability.

Note: Shortlisting will be based on the information provided on the application form.

Essential Criteria for Applicants

• A relevant qualification: minimum QQI Level 5 Major Award in Healthcare/Intellectual Disability (all 8 modules completed as per QQI requirements).
• Have a general understanding of current legislation (ADMA, UNCRPD).
• Excellent team working skills.
• Initiative, flexibility, and enthusiasm.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in verbal and written English is an essential requirement of this post.
• A track record of thinking creatively, being person centred and adaptable.
• IT Skills and experience in report writing.
• Valid work permission and eligibility to work and reside in Ireland at the time of application.

Desirable Criteria for Applicants

• Experience working with individuals with an intellectual disability and additional needs such as autism or physical and medical condition is desirable.
• A full clean driving license is desirable.

What we offer

A flexible and supportive work environment.

• Salary in line with the HSE consolidated pay scales.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• An opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.
• Paid Maternity Leave.
• Pension.
• Training and Development.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

The Department of Health & Children Consolidated Scales apply.

Horizons is an Equal Opportunity Employer