Residential Care Worker

The Residential Care Worker plays a central role in providing safe, consistent and nurturing care to children and young people who cannot live at home. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post‑holder supports each young person to understand and manage the difficulties that led to their placement, while promoting their welfare, stability and personal development.

The role involves delivering day‑to‑day care, building therapeutic relationships, and contributing to structured interventions that help young people address emotional, behavioural or family‑related challenges. The Residential Care Worker advocates for the needs and rights of each young person and ensures their voice is heard in all aspects of their care.

Children and young people may enter residential care due to a range of circumstances, including family breakdown, neglect, abuse, or concerns relating to mental health, addiction or safety. Residential care aims to provide a supportive, trauma‑informed environment where young people can experience stability, develop coping skills, and work towards long‑term goals such as reunification, fostering, or independent living.

Key Responsibilities

Working Directly with Young People

• Build safe, consistent and supportive relationships with young people, using trauma‑informed approaches to help them feel understood and secure.
• Support daily routines including personal care, education, health appointments, activities and life‑skills development.
• Contribute to Care Plans and Placement Plans, recording observations and progress clearly and accurately.
• Promote young people’s rights, welfare and independence, encouraging positive decision‑making and responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with families, social workers and external professionals to support placement goals such as reunification, fostering or long‑term stability.

Household & Daily Living Responsibilities

• Prepare and support the preparation of nutritious meals, involving young people where appropriate.
• Maintain a warm, clean and safe home environment, contributing to household routines and upkeep.
• Assist with household budgeting, shopping and resource management, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Administration, Reporting & Professional Accountability

• Maintain high‑quality written records, including daily logs, incident reports and updates for reviews or planning meetings.
• Report safeguarding concerns, risks or significant incidents promptly and in line with Children First and organisational policy.
• Participate in team meetings, handovers and supervision, contributing to consistent and coordinated care.
• Manage petty cash and household resources responsibly, ensuring accurate recording and accountability.
• Keep up to date with legislation, HIQA standards and organisational procedures, and engage in ongoing training and professional development.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all health and safety, fire safety and risk‑management procedures within the home.
• Follow safeguarding requirements and act immediately on any concerns regarding a young person’s welfare.
• Be familiar with emergency procedures and know who to contact in urgent situations.
• Support organisational initiatives relating to quality improvement, sustainability and safe practice.

The above list is not exhaustive. The post‑holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the role and to contribute to the ongoing development of the service.

Applicants must have a minimum QQI Level 7 (BA (Ord)) or above (BA (Hons)/MA) in one of the following:

·       Recognised Qualification in Social Care, Applied Social Studies, or one deemed as relevant.

·       Recognised Qualification in Social Work, be a student in final year of a Level 8 programme leading to a recognised Social Care qualification or hold a recognised equivalent Social Care qualification form other jurisdictions.

·       Recognised Qualification in Psychology

·       Recognised Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

·       Recognised Qualification in Counselling / Psychotherapy

·       Recognised Qualification in Addiction Studies

·       Recognised Qualification in Early Years Care

·       Recognised Qualification in Youth & Community or similar

·       Recognised Qualification in Social Science /Social Studies

·       Recognised Qualification in Family Support

·       Recognised Qualification in Education / Teaching (Not TEFL)

·       Recognised Qualification in Nursing Studies

·       Recognised Qualification in Disability Studies

·       Recognised Qualification in Applied Behavioural Analysis

·       Recognised Qualification in Applied Policing or equivalent

·       Holder of Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent

OR

·       Be registered in the Social Care Worker Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained at CORU (or have entitlement to be registered and obtain registration prior to appointment).

AND

·       Maintain live annual registration on the Social Care Workers Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board at CORU.

AND

·       Must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.