Social Care Worker /Residential Care Worker – Mallow, Cork

Childhood Matters; Cork; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced maternity leave

Pension contribution scheme

Health care plans

Flexible working hours

Training opportunities

Competitive annual leave entitlement

Job summary

Childhood Matters in Mallow, Co. Cork, seeks a Social Care Worker to join the Placement Support Project.

You will work as part of a residential team delivering high-quality care to children and young people, developing individual care plans and supporting trauma-informed practices within a safe, supportive environment. You will liaise with families, Tusla, and local services, participate in supervision and training, and uphold child protection standards while recording outcomes and attending

Qualifications

• Minimum NFQ Level 7/8 qualification in Social Care or a relevant qualification.
• QQI Level 7 in Psychology is desirable.
• CORU registration or application status should be indicated.
• Professional qualifications in counselling/psychotherapy or related fields are advantageous.
• Teaching qualification or related Professional Qualification may be relevant.
• BA in Applied Policing or equivalent is beneficial.
• QQI Level 7 in Disability Studies or similar is considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality social care to children in care or on the edge of care in a residential setting.
• Develop individual care plans and manage day-to-day needs within policy.
• Provide emotional and practical support to young people and advocate for their needs.
• Promote trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approaches within the team.
• Liaise with families, services and other agencies on behalf of clients.
• Attend team meetings, provide reports, and adhere to safeguarding and governance standards.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Team collaboration

Child development knowledge

Risk assessment

Documentation & reporting

Education

NFQ Level 7/8 in Social Care

QQI Level 7 in Psychology

CORU registration

Professional Qualification in Counselling/Psychotherapy

Teaching qualification

BA in Applied Policing or equivalent

Disability Studies (QQI Level 7)

Job description

Closing November 2026

Hours Standard 36 hours weekly

Position Social Care Worker

Location Mallow, Co. Cork

About the role

Who we are:

Childhood Matters is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving developmental and life outcomes for children 0-18 years old. We also work directly with parents and foster carers to support and develop parenting in challenging contexts. As an organisation we strive to positive impact the wider professional network we operate within through external training, research and professional development opportunities.

We are committed to embedding an evidence-based culture of trauma-informed care and therapeutic practice and hold ourselves to high standards in all engagement with service users, colleagues and stakeholders alike. We are committed to research and evaluation and continually assess the effectiveness of our service through independent research and partnership with third level institutions. We strive to be a positive place to work, providing staff with reflective practice, regular supervision and a training budget.

With current offices and services in Blackrock, Blackpool, Clonakilty and Farranree we employ 130 staff across all departments. We offer competitive salary packages as well as benefits including enhanced maternity leave; pension contribution scheme; health care plans; flexible working hours; internal and externally provided training opportunities, and competitive annual leave entitlement.

Job Title: Social Care Worker

Department: Placement Support Project, residential. Mallow

Applications considered Via: Application Form Only – CV’s will not be accepted ( Download Application Form )

Opening date for Applications: 04.08.2026

Closing Date for Applications: 06.11.2026

Proposed Interview date(s): TBD

Location of Post: Mallow, Co. Cork

Role requirements

Purpose of Role:

The Placement Support Project supports families where children under age 18 are on the edge of care or their care placement is at risk of breakdown.

The service engages with Tusla and professional networks to provide intensive support to children and their carers both in clinic and in the community. The service also provides emergency respite to a small number of young people.

The successful candidates for this role will form part of the Social Care/Residential team providing 24 hour care and support to Young people on a temporary basis in a 2 bed residential unit. This role is essential in meeting the needs of young people who are on the edge of care, where placements have broken down or are in need of emergency respite. The service must comply with ACIMS registration requirements and is also supported by the wider Placement Support Community Team.

Reporting Relationship:

The successful candidate will report to the Team Lead/Manager for the Service. There is also clinical supervision available from other Social Care Workers/Leaders in the organisation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Working with Children/Young People/Families

To work as a member of a residential team, providing high-quality Social Care to children in care or on the edge of care in a residential setting.

To support trauma-informed practices within the team.

To be responsible for developing individual care plans, and manage the day to day needs of our clients within the bounds of the service’s operational policies.

To provide emotional and practical support to our young people, and advocate for their needs.

Foster a safe, protective environment for young people and manage their needs effectively

Facilitate engagement in educational, recreational and social participation.

Promote an effective and productive team ethos, fostering our Childhood Matters trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach at all times.

To participate in the development and implementation of care plans and tailored interventions and to ensure appropriate recording of same.

To promote the rights and responsibilities of each child/young person within the service.

To liaise with the parent, family, services and other agencies on behalf of the client.

Adhere to all regulations governing the care of children in a residential setting.

Administration and Accountability

To attend team meeting/handovers and to report to the Clinical Lead/ Service Manager on matters affecting the delivery of service.

To provide written documentation on a regular basis on casework.

Reporting and recording any incidents, that may happen to the / children and their families or are caused by them.

Ensure Child protection procedures are followed.

To implement the Childhood Matters procedures and policies.

To undertake ongoing professional training and development.

To attend regular supervision with the designated supervisor.

To perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Team Work /Training & Professional Development

Work collaboratively with a team to provide trauma responsive interventions and evidence-based practice.

Participate in further training and development as required.

Working with other professionals and external stakeholders

Participate in regular team meetings, reflective practice, complex case discussions etc

Be responsible for own health and wellbeing in order to carry out the duties of the role / is committed to managing own work / life balance.

Keep abreast of governance standards of care for children in residential units.

Health & Safety

Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications:

• Minimum of NFQ Level7/ 8 qualification in Social Care or hold a relevant qualification in one of the following disciplines;
• QQI Level 7 in Psychology
• QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
• QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Counselling / Psychotherapy
• QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Addiction Counselling
• QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community or similar
• QQI Level 7 in Social Science / Social Studies
• QQI Level 7 in Family Support
• Professional Qualification in Teaching (Not TEFL)
• Professional Qualification in Nursing Studies
• QQI Level 7 in Disability Studies
• QQI Level 7 in Applied Behavioural Analysis
• BA in Applied Policing or equivalent
• Holder of Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent
• For applicants awaiting CORU registration for Social Care Work, please indicate status of your application.

Other requirements of the role

Experience;

Practice in Social Care Work or its equivalent and experience as a Social Care Worker with young people and families.

Skills, knowledge and abilities;

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a Residential Team with support from a wider Multi-disciplinary Team
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics
• Understanding of Trauma-informed practices, best practice and issues relevant to working with children in care.
• Ability to network, develop links and engage with statutory sector and local community
• Strong communication, IT and report writing skills
• Adaptable and flexible with regard to service development and working hours
• CORU Registered
• Knowledge of models such as Signs of Safety, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
• Group work