Support Worker - Clonakilty Day Services - Permanent Contract - 35 hpw - Ref D056

CoAction West Cork; Clonakilty; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick Pay

Maternity Leave

Parents Leave

Pension

Death in Service

Job summary

CoAction West Cork is seeking a Support Worker for Clonakilty Day Services on a permanent contract (35 hours/week). The role supports instructors in delivering training programmes and personal care to adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

You will work within a multi-disciplinary team and promote independence and community participation. Essential qualifications include QQI Level 5 in Healthcare and a full clean Irish driving licence.

Qualifications

• QQI (FETAC) level 5 in Healthcare or an equivalent healthcare/social care qualification
• A Full Clean Irish Drivers Licence for manual vehicles
• MAPA or CPI Training (Desirable)
• First Aid training (Desirable)
• Experience with arts, crafts, pottery, gardening and cooking (Desirable)
• Essential Skills: Effective communication skills, verbal and written; Basic IT skills; Team player and initiative; Advocacy skills; Ability to support intimate/personal care

Responsibilities

• Take guidance from instructor/Social Care Leader in delivering programmes
• Be aware of each service user’s interests, abilities and communication methods
• Treat service users with dignity and respect
• Promote a friendly and supportive training environment
• Encourage greater independence for service users
• Provide high standard of care and develop caring relationships
• Incorporate service user interests into daily programmes
• Assist in personal care of service users as appropriate
• Report accidents, incidents and complaints
• Advocate for service users
• Participate in recreational activities and hobbies
• Maintain confidentiality and health and safety awareness
• Work in a multi-disciplinary team
• Liaise with staff and maintain facilities

Skills

Effective communication

Team player

Advocacy skills

IT basics

Personal care support

Initiative

Education

QQI Level 5 Healthcare

Full Clean Irish Driving Licence

Job description

CoAction West Cork provides quality services to support children and adults with an intellectual disability, and children with autism.This is achieved by helping each service user reach their full potential, working in partnership with their families and carers, within the community.

Support Worker

Clonakilty Day Services

Permanent Contract - 35 hours per week

Ref: D056

Closing date: Friday 4th September 2026

Please note that a 12 month panel may be formed from these interviews from which future positions may be filled.

Responsible to: The Programme Coordinator/The Instructor/Area Manager and/or the Social Care Leader

Base: The Adult Services and/or the Community

Overall Purpose of Position

The aim of the adult services training and employment programmes within the Centre and the Community is to develop a range of practical and training skills with a view towards increasing innovation, independence and a sense of achievement for service users. The programmes contain vocational training and social and recreational activities including Speech and Language, Co-ordination – Fine motor/gross motor, Perceptual Development, Sensory integration, Social skills, Independent Living Skills. The role of the Support Worker is to assist the Instructor and/or The Social Care Leader in the planning, developing, implementing and reviewing specified programmes in line with the ethos of the organisation. The Support Worker also has responsibility for supporting the service users with their personal care (clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene).

Main Responsibilities

• To take guidance from your instructor/Social Care Leader in the delivery of programmes
• To be aware of the individuality of each service user i.e. their interests, likes/dislikes, abilities, and their means of communication.
• To at all times treat service users with dignity and respect.
• To promote a friendly and supportive environment in the training and employment centre/group home.
• To be aware of the ability level of each adult service user and actively encourage greater independence.
• To provide the highest possible standard of care at all areas and develop a caring relationship with each service user
• In as far as possible to incorporate service user interests into the daily programme
• To assist in the personal care of service users where appropriate. (i.e. clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene)
• To report all accidents, incidents and complaints in the appropriate manner
• To be an active advocate for the service users
• To be involved in recreational activities and hobbies
• To ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times
• To assist with recreational activities i.e. outings, Special Olympics, etc.
• To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the ethos of the organisation
• To liaise with other relevant staff
• To assist in the maintenance of the adult services centre / group home
• To be familiar with CoAction’s policies and procedures
• To be familiar with Health and Safety regulations and policies and to carry out any tasks or safety measures that may be laid down
• To ensure safety and safe working conditions in the workplace
• To ensure the group wear protective clothing and use protective machinery where required
• To ensure the group are trained fully in the use of any relevant machinery or tools and to ensure the group have health and safety awareness
• To report any defective /faulty equipment
• To contribute in a positive and energetic manner to the overall development of CoAction and the services it provides
• To attend to parents and other visitors to the Adult Services centre with courtesy, tact and consideration
• To follow cash handling procedures as determined by the area manager and/ or the accounts department
• To supervise meals together with other staff and to assist in recreational activities as required. To carry out escort duties as required
• To drive Company vehicles as required
• To develop relevant skills and abilities by taking part in training courses

Essential Qualifications/Experience

• QQI (FETAC) level 5 in Healthcare or an equivalent healthcare/social care qualification
• A Full Clean Irish Drivers Licence for manual vehicles

Desirable Qualifications/Experience

• A relevant qualification in Healthcare, Learning Disabilities, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Nursing
• Previous experience of working with people with an intellectual disability and / or autism
• Previous experience of supporting people with behaviours that challenge
• MAPA or CPI Training
• First Aid training
• Experience of working with arts, crafts, pottery, gardening and cooking

Essential Skills

• Effective communication skills, verbal and written
• Basic IT skills including typing and using Microsoft word.
• Team player and initiative
• Advocacy skills
• The ability to support people with intimate and personal care needs

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working with arts, crafts, cooking and gardening.
• The ability to support people with positive behaviour support plans
• The ability to support people with identified physiotherapy and / or occupational therapy needs

Key Competencies (i.e. what are the key skills that are required to do this job)

• The ability to build positive relationships with the people we support
• The ability to carry out intimate and personal care
• Effective communication skills both verbal and written / IT
• Ability to work well within a team and the ability to work on your own initiative
• Advocacy Skills

Benefits:

• Sick Pay
• Maternity Leave
• Parents Leave
• Pension
• Death in Service

in line with organisation policies.

Please note we are unable to offer visas or sponsorships to candidates outside of the EU.

This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment in light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined from time to time by the Director of Services/CEO or designated Line Manager. You will be given as much notice of such changes as possible. It is CoAction’s policy to review job descriptions on a regular basis.

CoAction West Cork is an equal opportunity employer