Respite Support Worker

Enable Ireland; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 33,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading support organization in Kilkenny is seeking a highly-motivated Respite Support Worker to provide care and support to children with disabilities. This role involves working closely with families to foster an inclusive atmosphere and help each child reach their highest level of independence. The ideal candidate will have a relevant qualification and experience working with children, as well as a full Irish driving license.

Benefits

Excellent training opportunities

Generous annual leave

Flexible working hours

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• At least 1 year experience in a similar role.
• Driver’s license and access to own transport is required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing care programmes for children.
• Help create an inclusive atmosphere.
• Work with families to meet children's needs.

Skills

Experience working with children

Understanding of child protection

Ability to work in partnership with parents

Education

Formal qualification in Health Care (FETAC/QQI Level 5)

Job description

Job Overview

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 2024. 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 a highly-motivated Respite Support Worker to join our team in the Carlow/Kilkenny Respite service, based in both Carlow and Kilkenny, to support the expansion of the services in 2026. Contract type: Permanent. Contract hours: Full-time / Part-time. Salary scale: €33,708 to €40,792 pro rata per annum. Salary scales are subject to LSI's (Long Service Increments). Annual leave entitlement: 30 days pro rata per annum.

Overview of the Post

The purpose of the role is to work as a member of the team providing respite and home support services across Enable Ireland locations in Carlow and Kilkenny. The role involves working with 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 will involve weekday and weekend work, sleep overs, and night duty.

Responsibilities

• Help create an inclusive atmosphere that promotes each child's participation in terms of choice and decision-making, enabling each child to reach their highest level of independence.
• Assist in implementing agreed programmes of care for each child, ensuring that each individual's varying needs are met in a manner that promotes dignity and respect for the person.
• Work with the respite manager to enable each person to participate in day-to-day activities in the home and community, including leisure activities, reflective of their choice and interests.
• Ensure each person carries out therapy, education, and other service activities as required.
• Ensure that special equipment is used appropriately and maintained.
• Be familiar with each individual's health and medical needs and ensure those needs are met.
• Help ensure a healthy diet is provided, taking into account any special dietary requirements and requests.
• Display appropriate sensitivity while working closely with families and service users.
• Provide assistance to children in personal care, including intimate personal care.
• Accompany children on outings and leisure activities within the community.
• Facilitate children's involvement in their local community by sourcing and arranging appropriate community-based activities.

Requirements

Essential Criteria:

• Possess a formal qualification in Health Care, including FETAC/QQI Level 5 NVQ/City and Guilds.
• At least 1 year experience working with children.
• Experience working in a disability service.
• Full manual Irish driving licence and access to own transport.

Desirable Criteria:

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

For a full list of our benefits and conditions, please read the available information.

Closing date for applications: Monday 1st December 2025. Interview date: Interviews TBC.

A panel may be formed from this vacancy for any similar vacancies that 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.
• Please review Enable Ireland's Rezoomo Privacy Policy here: (policy text).
• Please review the Enable Ireland's External Data Protection Notice available at for details on how Enable Ireland processes applicant's personal information. Please note if you are invited for interview, we will share your personal data with:
  1. Any virtual service provider we use to host the interview;
  2. The interview panel (if applicable). Your information will be stored for this purpose in line with our retention policy.

By clicking on the Continue to application button you will be directed to the careers section of our website where you can download an application form, job description, person specification and find instructions on how to apply.