Relief Social Care Worker/Residential Care Worker

Job Description Role Summary

We're seeking passionate and dedicated Relief Social Care Workers/Residential Care Workers to join our team.

You will play a vital role in delivering individualised care to young people referred to our service, helping them grow, develop new skills, and overcome challenges.

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.

Why Join Odyssey Social Care?

• Flexible rosters supporting work life balance
• Core professional training (TCI, safeguarding, trauma informed practice, etc.)
• Teambuilding activities & social events
• Education assistance grants
• Health insurance grant & life insurance
• 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 behaviourMaintain 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

About The Role 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 (not TEFL) or Nursing
• BA in Applied Policing
• Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service)

Required Criteria

• Full, clean manual driving licence valid in Ireland
• Experience working with teenagers with challenging behaviour
• 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.

Overview About The Company Mission

: Odyssey Social Care provides safe homes where children and young people can heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and discover their own strengths. We give them the support and opportunities they need to build resilience and step into a brighter future.

Working for Odyssey Social Care involves being part of a team dedicated to supporting children and young people.

As professional caregivers, we are caring, compassionate and resilient. We work with children who have experienced trauma, and believe in healing through trusting care relationships.

The Odyssey Way

We put the needs of the child at the forefront of everything we do. Our care framework is designed to be flexible, responsive and provide holistic care to our young people.

Our care model, The Odyssey Way, is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led. It supports the needs of each individual child, helping them to work through trauma by focusing on overall wellbeing.

Our unique, specialised intervention, the Odyssey Saoirse Project, uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills and positive mentoring to help young people heal, grow and thrive.

Company Culture Our Values

• Safety - safe homes, safe care, safe relationships
• Quality - trauma-informed, evidence-based, outcome-led
• Trust - built through honest communication and consistency
• Empowerment - giving young people and staff the tools to succeed
• Inclusion - equity and belonging for all
• Impact - measurable difference for young people, staff, communities & planet

Accessibility & Sustainability

Odyssey Social Care is committed to encouraging a culture of diversity and inclusion across our organisation.

As a Certified B Corp, we also believe in providing care sustainably, measuring our impact across our people, our communities, and the planet.

Closing Date Wednesday 30th September, 2026

Contract Type fulltime

Salary From €225.00 Daily to €367.50 Daily