Young Adult Support Worker - Galway

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA); Galway; On-site; EUR 23,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent working conditions

Training Development opportunities

25 days annual leave pro rata

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Service

Job summary

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Galway invites applications for a part-time Young Adult Support Worker (27 hours) on a 1-year fixed-term contract, funded accordingly. The role involves supporting School Leavers Service participants with physical disabilities and delivering pathways for personal, developmental and social inclusion.

You will help identify personal goals, run workshops, assist with daily living and transport, accompany outings, and ensure safeguarding and health and safety

Qualifications

• QQI Level 5 (Major Award – 8 Modules) Care Support or similar qualification is essential.
• QQI Major Awards relevant to IWA include Health Service Skills, Community Health Services, and Health Care Support.
• Full Drivers licence is required

Responsibilities

• Support Service Manager and Support Officers 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 promotes and enhances the independence of students/young people
• Prepare and maintain hard copy and online records as required by the Service Manager/Support Officers
• Undertake training as directed by the Service Manager/Support Officers
• Actively ensure that standards and practices regarding health and safety are fully adhered to in all activities
• Carry out other duties and/or responsibilities as assigned
• Ensure safeguarding of children and adults per IWA policies

Skills

Project development

Disability sector experience

Health & safety knowledge

Driving transit vans

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Education

QQI Level 5 Care Support

Full Driver's licence

Job description

We would like to invite applications for the following part time (27 hours), 1 YEAR Fixed Term contract based on continued funding,

Young Adult Support Worker

Galway

IWA is committed to promoting, maintaining and adding to our diverse and inclusive work environment

As a Young Adult Support Worker, the post holder will be expected to support the delivery of services to School Leavers Service participants with physical disabilities as part of Irish Wheelchair Association’s services based in Galway.

The objectives of our services are to provide pathways for people with disabilities to participate fully in the community, by means of 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.

Liaison

Close liaison is required with the School Leaver Service Support Officers and Rehabilitative Training team and Community Centre Coordinators and team.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Support Service Manager and Support Officers 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 Manager/Support Officers
• Undertake training as directed by the Service Manager/Support Officers
• 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 Manager/Support Officers
• 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

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Training, Experience And Qualifications

QQI level 5 (Major Award – 8 Modules) 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)

Full Drivers licence is required

Knowledge And Skills

• Previous experience of developing and delivering projects or programmes
• Previous experience of working with people with disabilities 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, would be an advantage
• 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 Benefits

• Annual Salary Range is from €23,275 up to 25,909 DOE
• Excellent working conditions
• Training Development opportunities
• 25 days annual leave per year pro rata
• Access to Pension Scheme HSF
• Employee Assistance Service

The closing date for applications is 4pm, Friday 13th November 2026

The current pay scale is subject to a 2% salary rate increase in 2026, aligning with the recent WRC interim agreement aimed at enhancing pay adjustments within Section 39 organizations.

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