Relief Social Care Worker/Residential Care Worker

Odyssey Social Care; Monaghan; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible rosters

Training & development

Team building activities

Education assistance grants

Health insurance grant

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression

Job summary

Odyssey Social Care is seeking relief social care workers to join our team, delivering individualized care to young people referred to our service. You will support teens in a residential setting, helping them build new skills, cope with challenges, and engage in education and daily routines.

This role emphasizes trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, and collaborative work with families and social workers.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or equivalent.
• QQI Level 8 in Psychology or related fields is advantageous.
• Professional practice qualifications in child/adolescent therapy or counselling are desirable.
• Early Years Care qualification is relevant for centres with younger children.
• Teaching or nursing qualification adds breadth to the profile.
• BA in Applied Policing may be considered for certain settings.
• Higher Certificate in Custodial Care aligns with safeguarding and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement care plans and risk assessments.
• Provide trauma informed, child-centred residential care.
• Support education, routines, and school engagement for young people.
• Promote life skills, independence, and emotional regulation.
• Maintain accurate daily records and incident reports.
• Communicate with parents, social workers, schools, and referral agents.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and service development.
• Assist with domestic routines and maintaining a homely environment.
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, and company policies.

Skills

Driving licence

Experience with teens

National standards familiarity

Right to work Ireland

CORU registration

Education

QQI Level 7 in Social Care

QQI Level 8 in Psychology

QQI Level 7 in Youth & Community

Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

Early Years Care

Professional Qualification in Teaching or Nursing

BA in Applied Policing

Higher Certificate in Custodial Care

Job description

Role Summary

We’re seeking passionate and dedicated relief social care workers / residential care workers to join our team. You will play a vital role in delivering individualized care to young people referred to our service, helping them grow, develop new skills, and overcome challenges. Odyssey Social Care Ltd is a leading provider of children’s residential care in Ireland. We are committed to delivering high quality, trauma informed support to young people through the Odyssey Model of Care, which focuses on therapeutic intervention, education, emotional wellbeing, and positive role modelling. Our mission is to empower young people to reach their full potential in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment.

Why Join Odyssey Social Care?

• Flexible rosters supporting work life balance
• Core professional training (TCI, safeguarding, trauma informed practice, etc.)
• Team building activities & social events
• Education assistance grants
• Health insurance grant & life insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for employees and families from Day 1
• Supportive, collaborative team culture
• Clear career progression pathways

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Behaviour Support Plans, Placement Plans, and risk assessments
• Provide trauma informed, child centred, and responsive residential care
• Support young people with education, homework, routines, and school engagement
• Promote life skills, independence, emotional regulation, and positive behaviour
• Maintain accurate daily records, logs, and incident reports
• Communicate effectively with parents, social workers, schools, and referral agents
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and service development
• Assist with domestic routines, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a homely environment
• Manage petty cash and follow financial procedures
• Uphold safeguarding, child protection, TUSLA standards, confidentiality, and company policies
• Contribute to a safe, structured, and supportive residential setting

Educational Requirements

Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or one of the following:

• QQI Level 8 in Psychology
• QQI Level 7 in Youth & Community, Social Science, Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, ABA
• Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling
• Early Years Care (for centres supporting children under 12)
• Professional Qualification in Teaching (not TEFL) or nursing
• BA in Applied Policing
• Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service)

Required Criteria

• Full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland
• Experience working with teenagers with challenging behaviour
• Familiarity with National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres
• Right to live and work in Ireland
• CORU Registration for use of the Title ‘Social Care Worker’

If you are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and want to build a rewarding career in children’s residential social care, we would love to hear from you.

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.