Respite Support Worker

Enable Ireland; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent training opportunities

Generous annual leave entitlements

Flexible Working

Long service reward scheme

Pension

Job summary

Enable Ireland is seeking a motivated Respite Support Worker for the Carlow/Kilkenny Respite service, based in Carlow and Kilkenny. You will join a team delivering respite and home support to children, in partnership with families and in line with each child’s needs and wishes.

The role requires a formal health care qualification, experience with children, and a full driving licence. Permanent contract with flexible hours and pro rata salary between €35,070 and €42,440 per annum.

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in Health Care (FETAC/QQI Level 5 NVQ/City and Guilds).
• Experience of working with children.
• Experience of working in a disability service.
• Eligible to work in Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Provide respite and home support to children and families.
• Support participation in activities at home and in the community.
• Assist with personal care and daily routines as required.
• Ensure safe, dignified care and adherence to care plans.

Skills

Health care experience

Child care

Driving license

Education

FETAC/QQI Level 5 NVQ

Job description

Would you like to work for a great employer? Enable Ireland is an organisation that makes a real difference to the lives of children and adults with disabilities in Ireland, and is named as one of Ireland's Irish Independent 150 Best Employers 2025.

Enable Ireland, as an equal opportunities employer, proudly maintains a Silver Award in Diversity from the Irish Centre for Diversity. We vigorously advocate for fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement, and are dedicated to ongoing enhancement in these areas.

We are currently seeking highly-motivated Respite Support Workers to join our team in Carlow/Kilkenny Respite service based in both Carlow and Kilkenny to support the expansion of the services.

Contract Type: Permanent

Contract Hours: Full-time, Part-time & relief contracts are available

Salary Scale: €35,070 to €42,440 pro rata per annum.

Salary scales are subject to LSI’s (Long Service Increments)

Annual Leave Entitlement: 30 days pro rata per annum. 10.7% of hours worked (Relief contracts)

Overview of the Post:

The purpose of the role is to work as a member of the team providing respite and home support services, in all Enable Ireland locations across Carlow and Kilkenny. To work with the children /young people through a person centred approach to meet their identified needs during their stay in active partnership and in line with the needs and wishes of each child and family. This post is required for the after-school day respite programme being rolled out this year.

Overview of Duties:

• Help create an atmosphere which is inclusive and promotes each child’s participation in terms of choice, and decision making and in which each child is enabled to reach their highest level of independence.
• Assist in implementing agreed programmes of care for each child, ensuring that each individuals varying needs are met in a way that promotes dignity and respect for the person.
• Work with the respite manager to help ensure that each person is enabled to participate in day to day activities in the home and community, and in leisure activities in the home and in the local community which reflect their choice and interest.
• Work with the respite manager to help ensure that each person is enabled to carry out therapy, education, etc. in the service.
• Work with the respite manager to ensure that special equipment is used appropriately and maintained.
• Be familiar with the health and medical needs of each individual and ensure that these needs are met.
• Help ensure that a healthy diet is provided, taking into account any special dietary requirements and requests.
• Respite staff will be expected to display appropriate sensitivity while working closely with families and service users.
• Providing assistance to children in personal care including intimate personal care.
• Accompanying children on outings/leisure activities within the community.
• Facilitating children’s involvement in their local community by sourcing and arranging appropriate community based activities.

See Job Description And Person Specification For Full Details.

The successful candidate will have:-

Essential Criteria:

• Possess a formal qualification in Health Care including FETAC/QQI Level 5 NVQ/City and Guilds.
• Experience of working with children.
• Experience of working in a disability service.
• Candidates must have current eligibility to work in the state.
• Full manual Driving license and access to own transport.

Desirable Criteria:

• Commitment to working in partnership with parents/carers and children.
• Experience of working with teenagers who can be challenging.
• Awareness of HIQA standards.
• Good knowledge of child protection & child development.

Benefits

• Excellent internal and external training opportunities
• Generous annual leave entitlements
• Flexible Working
• Long service reward scheme
• Pay adjusted Maternity Leave
• Pay adjusted Adoptive Leave
• Pay adjusted Paternity Leave
• Wellbeing benefits
• Pension

Closing date for applications: 2nd October 2026

A panel may be formed from this vacancy for any similar vacancies, which may arise during the next 12 months.

• The post will be subject to reference checks and may be subject to Garda vetting/police clearance, as relevant.
• Due to the large volume of applications, we are not in the position to provide individual feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview.
• Applications are invited from suitably qualified applicants from all sections of the community.
• The above information serves only as a guide to the advertised position. Enable Ireland, at its discretion, reserves the right to change this prior to appointment.
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