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

Work schedule includes a mix of sleepover 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 procedures

Uphold 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.

INDHP

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.

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.

About The Company

Overview

Mission*: Odyssey Social Care provides safe homes where children and young people can heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and discover their own strengths. We give them the support and opportunities they need to build resilience and step into a brighter future.*

Working for Odyssey Social Care involves being part of a team dedicated to supporting children and young people.

As professional caregivers, we are caring, compassionate and resilient. We work with children who have experienced trauma, and believe in healing through trusting care relationships.

The Odyssey Way

We put the needs of the child at the forefront of everything we do. Our care framework is designed to be flexible, responsive and provide holistic care to our young people.

Our care model, The Odyssey Way, is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led. It supports the needs of each individual child, helping them to work through trauma by focusing on overall wellbeing.

Our unique, specialised intervention, the Odyssey Saoirse Project, uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills and positive mentoring to help young people heal, grow and thrive.

Company Culture

Our Values

Safety – safe homes, safe care, safe relationships

Quality – trauma-informed, evidence-based, outcome-led

Trust – built through honest communication and consistency

Empowerment – giving young people and staff the tools to succeed

Inclusion – equity and belonging for all

Impact – measurable difference for young people, staff, communities & planet

Accessibility & Sustainability

Odyssey Social Care is committed to encouraging a culture of diversity and inclusion across our organisation.

As a Certified B Corp, we also believe in providing care sustainably, measuring our impact across our people, our communities, and the planet.

Company Benefits

On joining Odyssey, you’ll be supported every step of the way.

Competitive salary & incremental pay progression

Flexible rostering that supports work-life balance

Accredited training & continuous development

Education assistance grants

Health & life insurance supports

Social events & wellbeing supports

Real career progression – 80%+ of our leaders Have grown from within

We believe in caring for our staff with the same commitment we bring to the young people in our homes.

For more details, visit About Us

Flexible schedule, Employee development programs, A diversity program, Cycle to work, Referral bonus, Company retreats, Life insurance, Employee Assistance Scheme, Social Opportunities, Culture of recognition, On the job learning, Long service awards

Salary

€37,440.00 - €41,184.00 per year