Social Care Lead

About the Role

Bridhaven Nursing Home in Mallow, County Cork is hiring a Social Care Lead to shape and oversee a meaningful, person-centred programme of activities and social experiences for residents. The aim of the role is to support residents’ physical, emotional, social, and cognitive wellbeing while preserving dignity, independence, choice, and individuality.

The home is guided by a strong family ethos and a collaborative approach that values communication, respect for residents’ rights, and partnership with the wider community. The Social Care Lead will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to ensure every resident has the supports needed to live as independently and actively as safely possible.

Core Values

Bridhaven’s values include privacy, respect and dignity, choice, independence, individuality, community partnership, accountability, responsiveness, caring, and ambition.

Responsibilities

• Plan, run, and review resident-focused activity programmes that are tailored to individual needs and preferences.
• Make sure social sessions are organised in a way that benefits both residents and the care team.
• Encourage residents to take part in purposeful activities while protecting their dignity, independence, and freedom of choice.
• Consult with each resident to understand their interests, abilities, likes, dislikes, and personal preferences.
• Create a monthly calendar of activities and social events and share it with residents.
• Regularly evaluate how effective the activity and social programme is.
• Contribute resident updates and participation feedback during care plan reviews as part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Build respectful, equality-based relationships with residents that strengthen independence and wellbeing.
• Work with community organisations whose services can add value to resident engagement.
• Develop and support a volunteer network that can help deliver suitable social opportunities.
• Provide volunteers with induction, training, supervision, and ongoing support.
• Keep accurate records and documentation in line with regulatory expectations.
• Track budgets and use activity resources responsibly.
• Ensure all activities meet HIQA standards, infection control requirements, health and safety rules, and safeguarding policies.
• Support quality improvement work and inspection activity when needed.

Requirements

• A degree in Social Care or a related discipline is required.
• Experience working with older people is considered an advantage.
• The ideal candidate will be well organised and efficient in day-to-day work.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
• The role calls for a person-centred approach built on warmth, empathy, flexibility, and respect.
• Candidates should be comfortable working with emotion, individuality, and changing daily needs.
• Applicants must be able to follow codes of conduct, confidentiality expectations, policies, hygiene standards, and health and safety procedures.
• Good IT awareness is needed to use workplace systems and administrative tools effectively.

Person-Centred Approach

The successful candidate should be self-aware and open, emotionally warm, collaborative, positive, nurturing, respectful of personal life histories, accepting of different realities, adaptable to daily changes, able to create meaningful opportunities, supportive of others, and willing to learn and reflect.

Benefits

• Quarterly rewards scheme
• Monthly and yearly recognition awards
• Employee assistance programme
• Employee initiatives
• Education assistance programme
• Career pathing and development
• Paid maternity leave
• Bike to work scheme
• Pension
• Sick pay scheme
• Christmas saving scheme

Additional Information

Bridhaven Nursing Home is an equal opportunities employer. For enquiries, contact HR at 022 22205.