Social Care Worker / Residential Care Worker

Role overview

Odyssey Social Care Ltd is a major provider of residential care for children in Ireland. The organisation delivers trauma-informed support to young people through its care model, with a strong focus on therapeutic input, education, emotional wellbeing, and positive adult guidance. The aim is to help young people flourish in a safe, consistent, and nurturing home environment.

The team is hiring a Children’s Residential Care Worker, also referred to as a Social Care Worker, Residential Social Care Worker, or Youth Residential Worker, to support its expanding service.

This front-line role involves working closely with young people who may have complex needs, challenging behaviour, or emotional and behavioural difficulties. You will provide personalised care, follow behaviour support plans, and help young people build resilience, practical life skills, and self-confidence. The position suits someone with a strong interest in social care, youth support, and therapeutic residential work.

Key duties

• Create and apply behaviour support plans, placement plans, and risk assessments.
• Deliver care that is trauma-informed, child-centred, and responsive to changing needs.
• Support education, homework, daily routines, and engagement with school.
• Encourage independence, emotional regulation, life skills, and positive behaviour.
• Keep detailed daily notes, logs, and incident documentation.
• Work closely with parents, social workers, schools, and referral agents.
• Take part in team meetings, supervision, training, and service improvement activity.
• Help with household routines, including cooking, cleaning, and keeping the home environment welcoming.
• Handle petty cash and follow required financial processes.
• Follow safeguarding duties, child protection requirements, TUSLA standards, confidentiality rules, and company policies.
• Contribute to a safe, structured, and supportive residential setting.

Qualifications and entry criteria

A minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care is required, or a qualification from the approved list below:

• QQI Level 8 in Psychology
• QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community, Social Science, Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, or ABA
• Professional Practice Qualification in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling
• Early Years Care, for centres supporting children under 12
• Professional Qualification in Teaching (non-TEFL) or Nursing
• BA in Applied Policing
• Higher Certificate in Custodial Care from the Irish Prison Service

Applicants must also have a full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland, experience working with teenagers who present challenging behaviour, knowledge of the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, the legal right to live and work in Ireland, and CORU registration for use of the title Social Care Worker.

Working environment and benefits

• Flexible rosters designed to support work-life balance.
• A schedule that includes both sleepover and day shifts.
• Core professional training, including TCI, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice.
• Team-building activities and social events.
• Education assistance grants.
• Health insurance grant and life insurance.
• Incremental pay progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme available from day one for employees and their families.
• A supportive, collaborative team culture.
• Clear opportunities to progress within the organisation.

About the organisation

Odyssey Social Care’s mission is to provide safe homes where children and young people can recover from trauma, rebuild trust, and develop their strengths. The organisation supports resilience and aims to help each young person move toward a brighter future.

The care framework is child-first, flexible, responsive, and holistic. It is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led, with support tailored to each young person’s needs. The organisation also delivers the Odyssey Saoirse Project, which uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills, and positive mentoring to support healing, growth, and development.

Values and culture

The organisation’s values are safety, quality, trust, empowerment, inclusion, and impact. It promotes safe homes, safe care, and safe relationships; honest and consistent communication; equal opportunity and belonging; and measurable positive outcomes for young people, staff, communities, and the planet.

Odyssey Social Care is committed to diversity and inclusion and is a Certified B Corp with a focus on sustainable care and responsible impact across people, communities, and the environment.

Additional information

Location: Ballinvally Upper, County Offaly, Ireland.

Closing date: Wednesday 30th September, 2026.

Contract type: full-time.

Salary: €37,440 to €41,184 per year.

Desired criteria include familiarity with Irish National Standards in Children’s Residential Centres.

Successful applicants will join a supportive team and receive ongoing on-the-job development through a network of certified trainers.