Children’s Residential -Social Care Unit Manager

Odyssey Social Care; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Flexible Rostering

Core Professional Training

Team-Building Activities & Socials

Education Assistance Grants

Health Insurance Grant & LifeInsurance

Incremental Pay Scale

Pension Contribution Match

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Odyssey Social Care is seeking a dedicated Children’s Residential - Social Care Unit Manager to lead a residential home, oversee care delivery, and ensure safeguarding and regulatory compliance under the Regional Manager.

You will mentor Social Care Leaders and staff, manage budgets, support referrals, and drive service development while maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for young people.

Job description

Children’s Residential -Social Care Unit Manager

At Odyssey Social Care, we are committed to providing high-quality residential care to young people across Ireland. We believe in a child-centred approach rooted in empathy, professionalism, and respect. Join a team where your leadership can make a real difference in the lives of young people and the professionals who support them.

Job Overview:

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Children’s Residential -Social Care Unit Manager to lead a dedicated team within one of our residential homes. You’ll oversee all aspects of care delivery, team management, compliance, and strategic implementation, ensuring that our house is a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for young people. You will report to the Regional Manager.

Why Join Us as a Children’s Residential -Social Care Unit Manager:

• Competitive Salary

• Flexible Rostering focused on work-life balance

• Core Professional Training in essential subjects

• Team-Building Activities & Social Events

• Education Assistance Grants

• Health Insurance Grant & Life Insurance

• Incremental Pay Scale

• Pension Contribution Match

• Employee Assistance Program for Employees and Family from Day 1

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure care meets company standards and national regulations

• Maintain a homely, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment

• Supervise Social Care Leaders, Workers, and relief staff

• Lead team motivation, training, and performance management

• Manage house budget and resource allocation effectively

• Support referral management and report writing

• Promote compliance with TUSLA inspection standards

• Maintain positive relationships with external stakeholders (e.g., TUSLA, Gardaí, CAMHS)

• Participate in the 24-hour on-call rota

• Promote a culture of transparency through whistleblowing and safeguarding

• Drive new service development and contribute to company growth

Professional Background:

• The centre manager must have minimum QQI level 7 qualification in social care and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting and 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification.

• Alternatively, the manager may hold a QQI level 8 qualification in social care with 3 years’ post qualification work experience in a children’s residential care setting. Or Alternatively hold a relevant qualification with 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification.

• A professional qualification in Social Work is also considered as suitable, for a centre manager with the requisite 4 years post qualification practice experience and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting.

• Be on the CORU register of Social Care Workers, with 4 years' full-time experience, even without a formally recognised qualification

• Recognised social care qualifications may include equivalents from other jurisdictions.

Requirements:

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Hold a QQI Level 7 qualification in Social Care, be enrolled in (or hold) a management qualification relevant to health or social care, and have 4 years' post-qualification experience in children's residential care.

OR

• Hold a QQI Level 8 qualification in Social Care and have 3 years' post-qualification experience in children's residential care.

OR

• Hold another relevant professional qualification and have 4 years' post-qualification experience working in children's residential care.

OR

• Hold a Social Work qualification, have 4 years' post-qualification practice experience, and be enrolled in (or hold) a management qualification relevant to health or social care.

OR

• Be eligible for or registered on the CORU Register of Social Care Workers and have 4 years' full-time experience in children's residential care.

• Equivalent social care qualifications from other jurisdictions will be considered.

Relevant alternative qualifications include:

QQI Level 8 in Psychology; QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling; QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community (or similar), Social Science/Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, Applied Behavioural Analysis, or Early Years Care (where the centre caters for children under 12); Professional Qualification in Teaching (excluding TEFL) or Nursing Studies; BA in Applied Policing or equivalent; Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent; or CORU registration as a Social Care Worker in the absence of a relevant qualification

Required Criteria:

• CORU registration

• Full, clean manual driving licence (valid in Ireland)

• Right to work and live in Ireland

• Familiarity with team dynamics and Irish National Standards

• Full Garda vetting and police clearance for international residency

• Deep knowledge of childcare legislation and best practices

• Conflict resolution and crisis management skills

INDHP

About the role

When you work with Odyssey Social Care, you’re part of a dedicated team that’s as supportive to each other as we are to the young people in our care. Because we know that our success depends on yours, you’ll get continuous on the job training through our network of certified trainers. Quite simply, our supportive, adaptive and flexible approach is designed to give you the best opportunities to progress through the company and further your social care career.

About the company

Odyssey Social Care is a children’s residential care provider in Ireland. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams.

We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas.

We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.