Social Care Worker/Residential Care Worker

Odyssey Social Care; Bagenalstown; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible rosters

Sleepovers and day shifts

Core professional training (TCI, Safeg

Teambuilding activities & socialEvents

Education assistance grants

Health and life insurance grants

Incremental pay scale

EAP from Day 1

Career progression pathways

Job summary

Odyssey Social Care is a leading children’s residential care provider in Ireland. We are seeking a qualified Social Care Worker to join our team and support young people with complex needs in a trauma-informed, therapeutic setting.

You will deliver individualised care, implement behaviour support plans, assist with education and routines, and help young people build life skills and resilience. A full, clean Irish driving licence and CORU registration are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or equivalent.
• QQI Level 8 in Psychology or related fields.
• 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).
• Teaching qualification (nonTEFL) or Nursing related prerequisites.
• BA in Applied Policing.
• Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service).

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 and CORU standards.

Skills

Driving licence

Teenagers experience

CORU registration

Education

Level 7 qualification in Social Care

QQI Level 8 in Psychology

QQI Level 7 in Youth & Community/Social Studies

Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy/Counselling

Early Years Care qualification

Teaching qualification (nonTEFL)

BA in Applied Policing

Higher Certificate in Custodial Care

Job description

Social Care Worker/Residential Care Worker

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.

We are now recruiting a Children’s Residential Care Worker (also known as Social Care Worker, Residential Social Care Worker, or Youth Residential Worker) to join our growing team.

Role Summary

As a Children’s Residential Care Worker, you will play a vital frontline role in supporting young people with complex needs, challenging behaviour, and emotional or behavioural difficulties. You will deliver individualised care, implement behaviour support plans, and help young people develop life skills, resilience, and confidence. This role is ideal for someone passionate about social care, youth work, and therapeutic residential practice.

Why Join Odyssey Social Care

• Flexible rosters supporting work life balance
• Shift patterns are inclusive of sleepovers and day shifts
• Core professional training (TCI, safeguarding, trauma informed practice, etc.)
• Teambuilding activities & social events
• Education assistance grants
• Health insurance grant & life insurance
• Incremental pay scale
• 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 proceduresUphold 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 (nonTEFL) 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 Role

When you work with Odyssey Social Care, you’re part of a dedicated team that’s as supportive to each other as we are to the young people in our care. Because we know that our success depends on yours, you’ll get continuous on the job training through our network of certified trainers. Quite simply, our supportive, adaptive and flexible approach is designed to give you the best opportunities to progress through the company and further your social care career.

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.

Required Criteria

• Do you have a minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or a relevant and related field that meets the criteria to be registered as a Social Care Worker with CORU.

Desired Criteria

• Do you have familiarity with the Irish National Standards in Children’s Residential Centres.