Principle Social Worker

Emerald Locums; Galway; On-site; EUR 79,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Senior leadership

Professional development

Competitive salary

Strategic planning influence

Multidisciplinary team

Meaningful work

Job summary

Emerald Locums is recruiting a Principal Social Worker in Galway for a leading disability service provider. The role leads social work services, oversees safeguarding and staff management, and supports governance and regulatory compliance.

Ideal candidates hold a Social Work degree with CORU registration, a postgraduate leadership qualification, and at least five years of post-qualification experience in intellectual disability and complex cases.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Social Work.
• Current CORU registration.
• Postgraduate qualification in leadership, management or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' post-qualification Social Work experience.
• Experience with intellectual disabilities/autism.
• Significant safeguarding experience.
• Leadership and staff management experience.
• Experience in complex assessments and multidisciplinary working.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Social Work services across the organisation.
• Oversee safeguarding systems and support vulnerable adults.
• Manage Home Sharing service and staff.
• Provide supervision and professional leadership to Social Work staff.
• Oversee referrals, case allocation and complex casework.
• Chair safeguarding and service access committees.
• Contribute to governance and policy development.
• Support HIQA inspections and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with families, multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
• Monitor service quality, safeguarding trends and risk management.

Skills

Social Work

Leadership

Communication

Staff management

Governance

Regulatory

Education

Social Work degree

Postgraduate in leadership

Job description

Galway City & County

Social Work | Safeguarding | Intellectual Disability Services

Emerald Locums are currently recruiting for a Principal Social Worker on behalf of a leading disability service provider based in Galway. This is an exciting senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Social Worker looking to take the next step in their career within a well-established organisation supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Location: Galway

Expire Date: 2026-10-05

Salary: €79359 – €93946 per annum

Job Ref: PRINC18151_1788798236

Contract Type: Full-time permanent

What's On Offer

• Full-time permanent position
• Senior leadership opportunity within a respected disability service
• Competitive salary package DOE
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• Opportunity to influence service development and strategic planning
• Supportive multidisciplinary working environment
• Meaningful work supporting children, adults and families across Galway

Duties

• Lead and manage Social Work services across the organisation
• Oversee safeguarding systems and support vulnerable adults
• Manage the Home Sharing service and associated staff
• Provide supervision and professional leadership to Social Work staffOversee referrals, case allocation and complex casework
• Chair safeguarding and service access committees
• Contribute to organisational governance and policy development
• Support HIQA inspections and regulatory compliance
• Work closely with families, multidisciplinary teams and external agencies
• Monitor service quality, safeguarding trends and risk management processes

Requirements

• Recognised qualification in Social Work
• Current CORU registration
• Relevant postgraduate qualification in leadership, management or a related field
• Minimum 5 years' post-qualification Social Work experience
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism or complex needs
• Significant safeguarding experience
• Previous leadership and staff management experience
• Experience in complex assessments, case management and multidisciplinary working
• Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills
• Full clean driving licence and access to transport

INDHP

• Galway