Social Care Leader/Residential Care Leader

Social Care Leader/Residential Care Leader

Odyssey Social Care Ltd is a leading provider of children's residential care in Ireland. We are committed to delivering high quality, trauma informed support to young people through the Odyssey Model of Care, which focuses on therapeutic intervention, education, emotional wellbeing, and positive role modelling. Our mission is to empower young people to reach their full potential in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment.

We are expanding our team and seeking an experienced Children's Residential Care Leader (also known as Senior Social Care Worker, Residential Team Leader, or Social Care Leader) to join our residential services.

Role Summary

As a Children's Residential Social Care Leader you will play a key role in delivering high quality social care, residential childcare, and therapeutic support. You will deliver individualised care, implement behaviour support plans, and help young people develop life skills, resilience, and confidence. This role is ideal for someone passionate about social care, youth work, and therapeutic residential practice.

Why Join Odyssey Social Care?

• Flexible rosters supporting work life balance
• Work schedule includes a mix of sleepover and day shifts
• Core professional training (TCI, safeguarding, trauma informed practice, etc.)
• Teambuilding activities & social events
• Education assistance grants
• Health insurance grant & life insurance
• Incremental pay scale
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for employees and families from Day 1
• Supportive, collaborative team culture
• Clear career progression pathways

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement Behaviour Support Plans, Placement Plans, and risk assessments
• Provide trauma informed, child centred, and responsive residential care
• Support young people with education, homework, routines, and school engagement
• Promote life skills, independence, emotional regulation, and positive behaviour
• Maintain accurate daily records, logs, and incident reports
• Communicate effectively with parents, social workers, schools, and referral agents
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and service development
• Assist with domestic routines, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a homely environment
• Manage petty cash and follow financial procedures
• Uphold safeguarding, child protection, TUSLA standards, confidentiality, and company policies
• Contribute to a safe, structured, and supportive residential setting

Educational Requirements

Minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or one of the following:

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

Required Criteria

• Full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland
• Minimum 2 years' experience working directly with children/young people in a social care setting
• Familiarity with National Standards for Children's Residential Centres
• Right to live and work in Ireland
• CORU Registration for use of the Title 'Social Care Worker'

If you are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and want to build a rewarding career in children's residential social care, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

When you work with Odyssey Social Care, you're part of a dedicated team that's as supportive to each other as we are to the young people in our care. Because we know that our success depends on yours, you'll get continuous on the job training through our network of certified trainers. Quite simply, our supportive, adaptive and flexible approach is designed to give you the best opportunities to progress through the company and further your social care career.

About the company

Odyssey Social Care is a children's residential care provider in Ireland. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams.

We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas.

We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.

Required Criteria

• Do you have a minimum 2 years' experience working directly with children/young people in a social care setting.