Social Care Worker/Residential Care Worker

Role overview

Brook Lodge at Odyssey Social Care is seeking a Children’s Residential Care Worker, also referred to as a Social Care Worker, Residential Social Care Worker, or Youth Residential Worker. The organisation provides residential support for children and young people in Ireland, with a strong focus on trauma-informed care, therapeutic support, education, emotional wellbeing, and positive adult role modelling. The aim is to create a safe, structured, and nurturing setting where young people can build confidence, develop resilience, and move toward their potential.

This position is a hands-on frontline role supporting young people with complex needs, difficult behaviour, and emotional or behavioural challenges. The role involves delivering tailored care, following behaviour support strategies, and helping young people grow practical life skills and self-belief. It is well suited to someone with an interest in social care, youth support, and therapeutic residential work.

Key responsibilities

• Create and carry out Behaviour Support Plans, Placement Plans, and risk assessments.
• Provide care that is responsive to trauma, centred on the child, and adapted to each young person’s needs.
• Support education-related routines, including homework, school attendance, and daily structure.
• Encourage independence, practical life skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and positive conduct.
• Keep detailed and accurate daily notes, logs, and incident records.
• Work closely with parents, social workers, schools, and referring professionals.
• Take part in team meetings, supervision, training sessions, and service improvement activities.
• Assist with household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a warm home-like environment.
• Handle petty cash and follow required financial controls.
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, TUSLA requirements, confidentiality rules, and internal policies.
• Help maintain a secure, well-structured, and supportive residential setting.

Working pattern and role conditions

The schedule is flexible to support work-life balance and includes both sleepover shifts and day shifts. The employer also offers ongoing on-the-job training through certified trainers, with clear opportunities for development and progression within the organisation.

Benefits and support

• Flexible rosters designed to support balance between work and personal life.
• Combination of sleepover and daytime shifts.
• Core training in areas such as TCI, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice.
• Team-building activities and social events.
• Education assistance grants.
• Health insurance grant and life insurance.
• Incremental pay structure.
• Employee Assistance Programme available from day one for employees and their families.
• Supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Clear pathways for career growth.

Education and qualification requirements

A minimum of a Level 7 qualification in Social Care is required, or a related qualification that meets the criteria for CORU registration as a Social Care Worker. Acceptable related qualifications listed in the role include Level 8 Psychology, Level 7 in Youth & Community, Social Science, Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, or ABA, as well as professional practice qualifications in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling. Other acceptable backgrounds include Early Years Care for centres supporting children under 12, Teaching qualifications that are not TEFL, Nursing, BA in Applied Policing, and Higher Certificate in Custodial Care from the Irish Prison Service.

Essential criteria

• Full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland.
• Previous experience working with teenagers who display challenging behaviour.
• Working knowledge of the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
• Legal right to live and work in Ireland.
• CORU registration for use of the title Social Care Worker.

Who this role suits

This opportunity is intended for candidates who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of young people and want to develop a long-term career in children’s residential social care.

About the organisation

Odyssey Social Care delivers safe homes where children and young people can recover from trauma, rebuild trust, and discover their strengths. The company describes its approach as caring, compassionate, and resilient, with strong belief in healing through dependable relationships. Its care framework, known as The Odyssey Way, is flexible, responsive, holistic, trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-focused. The organisation also runs the Odyssey Saoirse Project, which uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills, and positive mentoring to support growth and healing.

Company values

• Safety: secure homes, secure care, and secure relationships.
• Quality: trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led practice.
• Trust: built through consistency and open communication.
• Empowerment: equipping young people and staff with the tools to succeed.
• Inclusion: creating equity and a sense of belonging.
• Impact: making a measurable difference for young people, staff, communities, and the planet.

Diversity and sustainability

Odyssey Social Care states that it is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation. It is also a Certified B Corp and says it aims to deliver care in a sustainable way while measuring its impact on people, communities, and the planet.

Additional information

Location: Brook Lodge, Odyssey Social Care, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland. Contract type: full-time. The posting specifies a closing date of Wednesday 30th September, 2026.

Salary

The stated pay range is €37,440 to €41,184 per year.

Required criteria and desired experience

The listing also asks for familiarity with Irish National Standards in Children’s Residential Centres as a desirable criterion and repeats the requirement for a Level 7 qualification in Social Care or another relevant field that supports CORU registration.