Day Service Manager - Galway City

About Ability West

Ability West delivers high-standard support services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism throughout Galway City and County. Their offerings include day services, residential care, short breaks, community support, rehabilitative training, and multidisciplinary assistance. The organisation operates guided by its Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Plan aiming to enable individuals with disabilities to live independent, self-directed lives within an inclusive society. Each individual is respected and supported to enhance autonomy, health, and full potential.

Role Overview

The Day Service Manager will be responsible for overseeing the efficient delivery and management of person-centered day services for adults at various Ability West centres across Galway City. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Client Services, this role involves planning and executing service operations, staff guidance, and budget management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise staff in delivering designated programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, including rehabilitative training as required.
• Maintain a person-centered planning process that identifies service users' needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Develop and maintain a range of services aligned with the needs of service users within budget limits.
• Foster respectful, equal relationships that promote independence for service users.
• Ensure person-centered plans are realistic and include opportunities for education, training, personal and community development.
• Ensure programs meet FETAC accreditation where applicable.
• Encourage active service user involvement in life skills, social, leisure, and community activities.
• Provide structured occupational activities tailored to individual needs.
• Build and maintain connections with internal and external training providers to support user progression to training or employment.
• Organize annual service reviews and participate in meetings such as Case Reviews and Conferences.
• Evaluate program effectiveness regularly.
• Represent service user interests effectively through staff and advocates.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members, other Ability West staff, families, and external organizations.
• Communicate updates and matters concerning service users and the centre to the line manager.
• Use person-first language consistently in all communications.
• Provide advice, support, and training to team members, including supervising program implementation.
• Manage and maintain equipment and provide relevant training for its use.
• Oversee the centre’s annual budget, monitoring staffing and expenditure.
• Support and motivate team members, conducting performance reviews and identifying training needs.
• Promote community integration aligning with Ability West’s policies.
• Encourage and facilitate parental engagement and visits.
• Maintain reporting and statistical information for administrative and financial purposes.
• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of service programs.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum of 3 years management or supervisory experience in health or social care.
• Proven experience managing services for individuals with complex needs, including behavioral challenges and autism.
• Essential experience with autism and preferably with sensory processing or integration programs.
• Relevant qualification in health or social care management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage day services that comply with quality, regulatory, and legislative standards.
• Knowledge of New Directions Interim Standards.
• Experience in managing budgets, report writing, developing personal support plans, and staff scheduling.
• Valid full driving license with access to a vehicle (mileage reimbursed).
• Strong understanding of relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience managing services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Key Competencies

• Ability to strategically plan for future service user needs.
• Strong empathy and respect for individual diversity.
• Flexibility, responsibility, and maturity in work approach.
• Innovative problem-solving and community resource utilization.
• Professionalism with solid planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Competence in administrative work and IT systems related to management.

Terms and Conditions

This full-time permanent position has standard weekly hours of 35. The salary range is €51,200 to €59,087 annually depending on experience. Applications will close at 10 am on July 24, 2026.