Residential Care Manager

Location: Meath / Louth Reports to: Director of Services

Role Purpose

The Residential Care Manager will have overall responsibility for the effective leadership and management of a Children's Residential Care Centre, ensuring the provision of a safe, nurturing and stable environment for young people in care. The role requires strong regulatory knowledge, people leadership capability and a child centred approach aligned with best practice and statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Care Delivery

• Create, maintain and promote a safe, caring and stable environment for young people within the centre.
• Lead the delivery of high quality, trauma informed care in line with each young person's individual needs.
• Ensure care programmes are developed in consultation with social work teams, implemented effectively and regularly reviewed.
• Promote the rights, responsibilities and participation of young people within the service.
• Plan for each young person's future in collaboration with the young person, families, social workers and relevant agencies.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Manage the centre in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991, National Standards for Children's Residential Centres, Children First Guidelines and all relevant legislation.
• Ensure policies, procedures and health & safety documentation are in place, understood and adhered to by all staff.
• Maintain robust child protection, safeguarding and incident reporting procedures.
• Ensure an effective complaints process is in place and clearly communicated to young people, families, staff and external stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate, timely and professional record keeping is maintained and available for inspection by regulatory authorities.

Care Planning & Service Agreements

• Ensure each young person has an up to date care plan and placement plan developed in consultation with the social worker, key worker and the young person.
• Ensure service agreements clearly outline roles, responsibilities, placement duration, review dates, and admission/discharge procedures.
• Monitor and review placement outcomes and ensure appropriate supports are in place.

People Management & Staffing

• Recruit, manage and retain suitably qualified staff to ensure safe and adequate staffing levels at all times.
• Ensure all staff have valid Garda Vetting, references and required qualifications prior to commencing employment.
• Provide regular supervision, support and performance management to staff.
• Lead, motivate and support staff in managing challenging behaviours, key working and emotional regulation.
• Ensure staff training and development needs are identified and addressed.
• Maintain staff records confidentially in line with employment legislation.
• Oversee rotas, payroll returns and general administrative requirements.
• Manage centre budgets and ensure young people have access to appropriate funding for clothing, activities, education and additional supports.
• Ensure effective systems are in place for financial oversight and accountability.

On-Call & Emergency Support

• Participate in an on call rota, providing guidance and support to staff outside normal working hours.
• Be available to respond to emergencies and critical incidents as required.

Facilities & Health & Safety

• Ensure the centre, furnishings, equipment and grounds are maintained to a high standard.
• Ensure compliance with fire safety, health and safety legislation and risk management procedures.
• Regularly review practices impacting the safety and welfare of staff and young people.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Social Care, Social Work, Youth Work or a related discipline (CORU registration where applicable).
• Significant experience in children's residential care, including management or senior leadership level.
• Strong knowledge of Irish childcare legislation and regulatory standards.
• Proven people management and leadership capability.
• Excellent organisational, communication and decision making skills.
• Full driving licence.
• Experience working with Tusla and external regulatory bodies.
• Postgraduate qualification in management or leadership.

Additional Information

This role requires flexibility, resilience and a strong commitment to safeguarding and best practice. The duties outlined above are not exhaustive and may be reviewed in line with service needs.