Social Care Worker

Jobalert; Ennis; Remote; EUR 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Sick Pay Scheme

Job summary

Clarecare is seeking a Social Care Worker to join the Family Support Service in Ennis, Co. Clare, delivering targeted interventions for children and supporting families in the community.

Working within the Tusla Meitheal framework, you will lead individual and group work, participate in child protection processes, and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to improve outcomes for children and families. The role is full-time and on-site in Ennis with flexibility for occasional evenings or

Qualifications

• A nationally recognised CORU approved degree in Social Care or Applied Social Studies (Level 7 QQI).
• Be registered in the CORU Social Care Workers Register or eligible for registration.
• Proven experience with children/young people and/or parents in home, school or community settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver interventions to children and families in the community.
• Lead individual and group work to enhance parenting skills and relationships.
• Collaborate with the Family Support Team and other agencies; participate in meetings and reports.

Skills

Child protection awareness

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Social Care or Applied Social Studies

CORU registration eligibility

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Outlook

Spreadsheets/Databases

Job description

Social Care Worker – Family Support Service

Full-time Permanent Position

Please note: Interviews for this position will take place in Ennis, Co. Clare on Monday, 16th November 2026 for candidates who are shortlisted for interview.

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE:

Working from the Clarecare Family Support Service practice model, which is based on the Tusla National Practice Model - Meitheal, the role of the Social Care Worker is to:

• Deliver quality and innovative interventions to (a) children and young people in the community who may be the subject of child protection and welfare plans, and (b) children and young people identified as in need of support in relation to emotional and behaviour issues arising at home, school or in their community.
• Deliverindividual and group support interventions to parents to enhance their parenting skills and relationships with their children.
• Carry out strengths and needs assessments in collaboration with children and parents and to formulate agreed outcome focussed interventions which are reviewed regularly.
• Undertake the responsibilities of a Lead Practitioner in cases involved in the Tusla Meitheal process.
• Actively participate in Tusla Child Protection and Welfare Conferences. This involves information gathering and report writing.
• Provide targeted populations of children with opportunities to participate in community activities and facilitated groups. The groups may include; personal development groups for children, parenting groups, summer activity programmes etc.
• To encourage child and youth participation in the design and quality of services which is fundamental to ensuring a child centred, rights-based approach when working with children and young people.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to maximise and enhance outcomes for children.This will include regular monitoring and reviewing one’s own work and engaging in formal supervision and continuous professional development.

SERVICE OBJECTIVES:

• To deliver a dedicated service to children in their local community.
• To improve outcomes for children through the delivery of interventions underpinned by the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People and Clarecare’s specific overarching goals that all children are (1) safe and protected from harm and are (2) achieving their full potential in learning and development.
• To work in partnership with children and parents to identify their strengths and needs within their home and community environment and to work together to enhance resilience.
• To provide a safe and supportive space, which will give children and parents the opportunity to express and explore issues and concerns, which they may be experiencing.
• To encourage parents to build on their parenting skills and enhance relationships and communication with their children.
• To link and co-operate with other disciplines and agencies in order to promote a cohesive service for children.

JOB RELATIONS:

The Social Care Worker will report directly to the allocated Family Support Services Team Leaderand work as part of a multi-disciplinary Family Support Team. The Clarecare Family Support Services Manager has overall responsibility for Family Support Services.Reporting structures are subject to change.

DAYS/HOURS OF WORK:

The working week is Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. daily with 30 mins. break.These positions may involve evening or weekend work (as required) and you are required to be flexible regarding your work hours/work days.

ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT:

Yearly Annual Leave entitlement is 26 days per full leave year (Jan-Dec) for this full-time permanent position. This entitlement excludes Public Holidays.

JOB LOCATION:

The office base for these positions will be Clarecare, Harmony Row, Ennis.This is an on-site role – remote/hybrid working does not apply.You may, if required, be assigned by theChief Executive Officer/Family Support Services Manager or designate; to the organisation’s other places of business/centre locations. You will be given as much notice of any such change of place of work as is reasonably practicable.

The successful candidate will be covering casesfrom the Family SupportServicewaiting lists as allocated by the Family Support Team Leader or designate. Flexibilityand willingness to travel is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

General Responsibilities:

To be accountable to the designated Line Manager and Family Support Services Manager.

To adhere to Clarecare’s policies, procedures, protocols in relation to all work within Clarecare.

To fulfil obligations under Children First Act 2015 and all responsibilities under Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).

To store and maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with the Family Support Services practice protocols and to comply with responsibilities under the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 & 2018 (GDPR).

To complete and submit statistical information and reports in a timely manner as required.

To work as part of the wider Clarecare structure and carry out duties as required.

To support the work of staff, volunteers, students and others involved in Clarecare.

To participate in team meetings and attend meetings as deemed necessary.

To attend and participate in case management meetings with Family Support Services Manager or designate and relevant team members.

To engage in continuing professional development opportunities.

To maintain professional boundaries in all work with clients.

To perform such other duties appropriate to the positions as may be assigned to you.

Specific Responsibilities:

• To undertake all duties as outlined in this job description for the Social Care Worker role.
• To deliver a dedicated service to children and their families in their local community. This will include one to one support to children, parents and group work.
• To develop and implement individual support programmes for children and young people based on models of best practice.
• To work as part of the Clarecare Family Support Team in the development and running of programmes for children and families.
• To develop and maintain collaborative working relationships externally with TUSLA and other relevant community, voluntary and statutory groups.
• To foster and maintain positive working relationships with the local community.
• To maintain up to date file records of work undertaken with the child and family and to complete reports outlining work completed.
• To work as part of a team within the Family Support Team and as part of the wider Clarecare structure.
• To attend relevant staff and client meetings.
• To participate in local meeting fora in relation to the development of supports and services for children in the area.
• To be flexible, innovative and adaptable in one’s approach to work with service users.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS:

All Applicants must hold:

• A nationally recognised CORU approved third level qualification to a minimum of Degree level in Social Care or Applied Social Studies(Level 7QQI)

In addition, applicants must meet one of the following:

• Be registered in the Social Care Workers Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained by CORU;or
• Hold a CORU approved Social Care Worker qualification and have applied for CORU registration (evidence of application will be necessary);or
• Be eligible for registration in the Social Care Workers Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained by CORU (evidence of application will be necessary).

All applicants must have:

• Relevant experience working with disadvantaged or marginalised children/young people and/or parents in their own home, residential and community settings.
• Relevant experience of working with children/young people on a one to one basis to develop and implement individual support interventions which are based on best practice and evidence informed programmes focusing on issues such as developing social skills, building resilience,coping with loss/bereavement and managing behaviour and anxiety,and/orwith marginalised parents on a one to one basis focusing on issues such as the parent /child relationship, family communication and household routines.
• To demonstrate the ability to provide quality services to children/young peopleand /or parentsusing innovative interventions keeping the child’s interests central to the work.
• Experience of liaising with services and advocating on behalf of service users.
• To demonstrate empathetic understanding of the issues that vulnerable children and families may encounter and also a wide knowledge base including child protection and welfare law, policies and procedures and of recognition of all forms of abuse and reporting requirements under the Children’s First Act (2015) and all responsibilities under Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).
• Well-developed computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office, MS Outlook (emails), Spreadsheets and Databases.
• Experience of liaising with services on behalf of clients and staff.
• Experience of creative approaches to working with families.
• Good knowledge of the legislative and policy context governing statutory and voluntary service delivery.
• Demonstrate experience of working with parents/guardians and children and an ability to engage adults and children in assessment and therapeutic work.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with service users, team members and other statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills as the role requires the capacity to work in a demanding post; managing time, commitments and priorities effectively.
• Experience of writing reports and confident knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and data management systems.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to use one’s own initiative when required.
• Ability to maintain the principles of confidentiality in all areas of work.
• Ability to foster good working relationships with external agencies and organisations
• Maintain and submit annual membership of the relevant accredited body as per Clarecare policies and procedures
• Ability to always maintain professional and personal boundaries and adhere at all times to Clarecare’s Guidelines & Code of Conduct for Staff.
• A positive ‘fit to work’ medical.
• A positive Garda Vetting Disclosure through Clarecare.
• Two positive references from current/most recent employer(s).
• Full clean driving licence with insurance indemnity to Clarecare.
• As part of yourrole duties/responsibilities, you will be required to carry clients in your own private vehicle and to indemnify Clarecare under your private motor insurance policy.
• Experience of facilitating groups.
• Experience of delivering individual parenting programmes
• Training/experience in delivering therapeutic interventions with children/young people
• Experience of working with families where there are child welfare /child protection concerns.
• Knowledge of the philosophy and ethos of Clarecare and the personal social services sector.
• Knowledge andexperienceof working within the Meitheal framework.

Remuneration:

• The gross salary on offer is commensurate with relevant experience and is€37,622.26 gross per annum.
• 26 days annual leave per annum per full leave year (Jan-Dec incl.) excluding Public Holidays.
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of 6 months’ probation.“My Future Fund” Government Pension Scheme applies (mandatory) during the 1st 6 months of probation at 1.5% of salary deduction by employee, matched by Clarecare and 0.5% contribution from Government.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Access to full terms of Clarecare’s Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (6 months duration).
• Ongoing training & development in the role.

NOTE:

This job description is provided as a guideline.Unforeseen policy changes or emerging needs of the Service, may create additional/new demands on the post, thus requiring the post holder to fulfil those demands.

The closing date for applications is Thursday the 29th of October 2026