Young Adult Support Worker

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA); Galway; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Galway is seeking a Young Adult Support Worker to provide services to young adults with physical disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The role includes supporting personal goals and activities, facilitating workshops, and maintaining safety standards. Qualifications include QQI level 5 Care Support and a full driver's license. The role offers a salary of €27,268.22 to €30,355.19 per annum and excellent working conditions.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Access to Pension Health Care

Employee Assistance Service

Training development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 completed modules of QQI level 5 (Major Award) Care Support or similar qualification is essential.
• Desirable: Training/qualifications relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Positive Behavioural Supports.
• Full Driver's Licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of services to School Leavers Service participants.
• Implement group workshops and activities based on young adults' needs.
• Assist young adults with personal care and daily living.

Skills

Working with people with disabilities

Organisational skills

Building relationships

Customer service focus

Education

QQI level 5 Care Support or similar

Tools

Driving transit vans

Job description

Overview

Young Adult Support Worker – Galway Surround areas. 34 hours specified purpose contract role. IWA is committed to promoting, maintaining and adding to our diverse and inclusive work environment.

Role: Young Adult Support Worker

As a Young Adult Support Worker, the post holder will support the delivery of services to School Leavers Service participants with physical disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as part of Irish Wheelchair Association’s services based in Galway and surrounding areas. Occasional support to the Adult Day Service may also be required.

The objectives of our services are to provide pathways for people with disabilities to participate fully in the community, by establishing developmental, personal, and social inclusion programmes. This will include supporting individual young adults to identify and work towards their personal goals, and to facilitate a range of activities, such as training workshops, personal development work, day trips and social activities, and linking with services and facilities within individuals’ local communities. You will also be required to undertake and ensure the execution of such other tasks/duties as deemed necessary to the successful implementation of young adult services. Close liaison is required with the School Leaver Service Support Officer and Rehabilitative Training team and SLS Coordinator and team.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Support Service Coordinator and Service Support Officer to implement a range of group workshops and activities based on the choices and needs of young adults.
• Support individual young adults in line with the Association’s person centred approach and through Personal Goals work.
• Support young adults involved in Rehabilitative Training activities
• Assist with safe transportation in line with requirements of the Transport Handbook guidelines
• Assist young adults in all aspects of personal care and daily living as identified by each individual
• Accompany and support young adults on outings, social trips and holidays as required
• Ensure that your work and interactions with others is such that it promotes and enhances the independence of students/young people
• Prepare and maintain hard copy and online records as required by the Service Coordinator/Service Support Officer
• Undertake training as directed by the Service Coordinator/Service Support Officer
• Actively ensure that standards and practices regarding health and safety are fully adhered to in all activities, and in the centre itself. Record and report all hazards or accidents to the Service Coordinator/Service Support Officer
• Carry out other duties and/or responsibilities which may be assigned to you from time to time
• Ensure that your responsibilities to safeguard children and adults from abuse or harm is a core aspect of your role and that IWA’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures are adhered to
• Support Fundraising function

Person Specification

Training, Experience And Qualifications

A minimum of 5 completed modules of QQI level 5 (Major Award) Care Support or similar qualification is essential. QQI Major Awards that are deemed relevant to IWA are:

• Community Health Services (to include minor components Safety Health at Work and Care Provision Practice)
• Health Service Skills (to include minor components in Workplace Statutory Policies Procedures and Care Skills and Care Support)
• Health Care Support (to include minor components Safety Health at Work and Care Skills and Care Support)
• Youth Work (no specific minor components required)

Desirable – Training/qualifications relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Positive Behavioural Supports

Full Drivers Licence is essential

Knowledge And Skills

• Previous experience of developing and delivering projects or programmes
• Previous experience of working with people with physical disabilities and ASD is required
• Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety regulations, as well as transport safety and standards of use is essential
• Previous experience of driving transit vans to transport people with disabilities or a willingness to do so, is essential
• Good organisational skills

Behaviours

• The ability to work as part of a team and work on own initiative
• An ability to build strong relationships at all levels and show confidence in the team
• Strong customer service focus

Competencies

• Communicating and Influencing
• Motivating and Empowering
• Innovation and Creativity
• Planning and Organising
• Quality and Customer Focus

Remuneration And Benefits

The current pay scale is subject to a 9.25% pay increase over the next 2 years (2025 up to October 2026), aligning with the recent WRC agreement aimed at enhancing pay adjustments within Section 39 organizations.

Salary range for this position is €27,268.22 to €30,355.19 per annum

Excellent working conditions

Training development opportunities

25 days annual pro rata

Access to Pension Health Care

Employee Assistance Service

Closing date for applications: Thursday, 2nd October 2025.

Please note – Documentary evidence of your relevant qualification(s) will be required in advance of or during the recruitment process.