At Western Care we aim to provide the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate setting for the people we support. And right now, we are looking to grow and support our team across County Mayo. Why not be part of a progressive team, that's delivering for its community. Western Care - Supporting People To Live Their Lives. Link Social Worker - Home Sharing (Basic Grade) Co. Mayo Post Details Permanent 35 hours per week - Reference Number: 2026-122 Contract (Specific Purpose Maternity Leave) 35 hours per week - Reference Number: 2026-123 Application Process Please apply with a current C.V. Closing Date: June 28 th, 2026 For further enquiries, please contact: David Tuomey, Principal Social Worker Tel: Additional Information Please note that panels may be formed from this competition to fill similar posts within the organisation. Job Brief The Home Sharing Link Social Worker works alongside the Home Sharing Co-Ordinator to operate and develop the Home Sharing Service in line with Western Care Association mission and values and the interim standards for home sharing. The Link Social Worker should be committed to a human rights approach and the implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making Act 2015 in the provision of supports and services that ensure people live a self-directed, connected, inclusive, meaningful and fulfilling life. Qualifications & Requirements Relevant Social Work qualifications essential & must be registered with CORU Applicants should have excellent communication skills, good leadership skills, and ability to work on their own initiative Experience of working with people with intellectual disability and/or autism and their families is desirable Excellent interpersonal skills and flexibility together with high levels of computer literacy are required Ability to manage a caseload through prioritisation and being responsive to specific issues that arise. Ability to manage in a changing and adaptable environment Salary Scales Basic Grade Social Worker Pay Scale €46,295 to €70,562 -this is based on full time working hours i.e. 35 per week Please find full Job Description following Other Duties Involved Contribute to and actively participate in the local service planning process, supporting the creative development and responding to the ongoing and changing needs of the service. Ensure a safe and respectful workplace, adhering to the organisation's Dignity at Work Policy and all Health & Safety requirements. Promote safety in all environments in line with the Association's practices and guidelines. Use positive and proactive approaches to support individuals who may present challenging behaviours, consistent with organisational policies and best practice. Other Requirements Full driver's license is essential. All applicants will be subject to Irish Garda Vetting and Reference checks. Applicants from countries outside the E.U. must provide relevant work authorization to take up employment in the Republic of Ireland. This documentation must be submitted with the application. Applicants who have lived outside of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland for more than six months since the age of 16 will be required to provide Overseas Police Clearance. Employment Benefits Competitive Salary in line with Department of Health consolidated scales Pension and Life Insurance Scheme. Generous Annual Leave often exceeding statutory entitlement. Dedicated learning and opportunities for career progression Flexible working arrangements Comprehensive Induction process. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes counselling support. Bike-to-Work Scheme. Sick pay scheme. Health Applicants must be fully competent and capable of performing the duties of this role and be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of providing regular, reliable and efficient service JOB DESCRIPTION Job Summary The Home Sharing Link Social Worker works alongside the Home Sharing Co-Ordinator to operate and develop the Home Sharing Service in line with Western Care Association mission and values and the interim standards for home sharing. The Link Social Worker should be committed to a human rights approach and the implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making Act 2015 in the provision of supports and services that ensure people live a self-directed, connected, inclusive, meaningful and fulfilling life. Reports to: Principal Social Worker or Delegate Supervision provided by Principal Social Worker/Social Work Team Leader Base: Co. Mayo Main Duties and Responsibilities The Responsibilities of the Home Sharing Link Social Worker include (but are not limited to): The Link Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical social work support, oversight and supervision of placements in the Home Sharing Service Develop Home Sharing as a sustainable model of respite support, or shared living by working in partnership with people with intellectual disability, their families, home share families and Western Care Home Sharing Service and Social Work team. Work in close partnership with the Home Share Coordinator, Social Work team, other Western Care services, H.S.E, CDNT's, Tusla and any other agencies relevant to the person supported. Actively implement the operational 'Home Share Process' within the Service. Complete Home Sharing family assessments in line with the national interim standards. Fully participate in the home share approvals panel to review and make decisions on the outcome of assessments. Participate in the matching process to ensure a good match between the person to avail of home sharing and home share family and ensure the best possible match is established. Continually assess and identify training and support requirements for Home Sharing families. Support the delivery of training for Home Sharing families in partnership with the Home Sharing Coordinator. To liaise with all necessary parties to establish and implement Home Sharing To be involved in Placement Agreements, Care and Support plans, risk plans etc., that facilitate the needs of the person supported. Ensure the Home Sharing family is provided with or given access to all relevant and up-to-date information pertinent to the person availing of Home Sharing. Review and assess the quality of Home Sharing Placements in line with Western Care Home share Review process. Working in partnership with the Home Share Co-Ordinator, conduct regular reviews of Home Sharing Placements with Home Sharing families, persons supported and their families. Where appropriate, ensure adherence to the Home Sharing Placement Agreement and identify additional supports including, but not restricted to; training, equipment, information etc. required to maintain a safe, high-quality level of care. Provide monitoring, supervision and support to Home Sharing families by maintaining formal reviews, regular contact, visits etc. (including unannounced visits). Liaise with the person's own social worker to support the individual and their family where requested and appropriate to do so, or to refer to external teams, services and supports as required. Ensure that any information pertaining to changing needs of Individuals supported through Home Sharing is communicated and responded to through Home Sharing family, the Home Sharing Coordinator and the person's appointed Social Worker where relevant. Work closely within the Home Share Service on the implementation, evaluation of the National Interim Home sharing standards. Maintain excellent records of contact, file notes, and discussions with all parties. Communicate, report and record all concerns, queries, incidents and accidents in line with the home share operational process. Adhere to all relevant policies and procedures as they pertain to the home share service. Be familiar with policies, procedures and reporting obligations in relation to the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Children's First. Work in line with CORU's Code of Practice. Participation in and attendance at National Home Share Committee meetings and conferences and any relevant training. Participate in multidisciplinary / multi agency meetings. Attend and fully engage with Social Work Team meetings. Carry a reasonable working caseload outside of home share responsibilities. Participate in Duty Social work Roster. Confidentiality In the course of your employment, you may have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of persons supported prospective and actual home sharers and their families. On no account must information be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required. Breaches of confidentiality are regarded as a serious offence and will lead to disciplinary action or may warrant dismissal. Quality To participate in and develop service improvement initiatives to include compliance with National Interim Standards, service monitoring, evaluation and audit. Qualifying Criteria Applicants must hold a relevant Social Work qualification must be registered with CORU Policy and Procedure Each staff member is required to: Have a full awareness and knowledge of the National Standards for Residential Services for Children with Disabilities. Be aware of the contents of the Health Act 2007. Be familiar with Western Care Child Safeguarding Policy & Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults at Risk from Abuse Policy. Have an awareness of the Child Care Act 1991 and National Policy & Procedures Be aware of the contents of the Children's Act 2001. Be aware of the contents of the Criminal Justice Act 2012 (withholding information on offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Freedom of Information Act 2014 and Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. The Children's First Act 2015. Training Training which is deemed mandatory must be attended in line with the Western Care policy. Flexibility While you will be assigned primarily to a particular area/remit the need may arise for flexibility to work in other areas within the service Self-development To keep abreast of all new development in the intellectual disability field. Highlight identified areas for knowledge and skill development to your line Manager development Standard of Performance 1. Competence in carrying out the role is essential and the standard of performance to carry out the role is monitored and reviewed. 2. Regular attendance is required to fulfil the role. The standard of performance is measured on how punctuality and good attendance is maintained. 3. Good working relationships with persons and families supported, colleagues and management must be maintained and communication & code and dignity at work policy adhered to. 4. Adherence to satisfactory standard of professional conduct. Working Relationships and Communication Develop and contribute to good working relationships in the Organisation and with all other relevant personnel. Report to and appraise line manager or designate of all work-related issues and difficulties. Follow the Association's Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure, available on the Association's intranet. Maintain strict confidentiality relating to matters regarding personnel and services. Attend and actively participate in team meetings as required. Actively participate in supervisory support as per Organisation Procedure. Be familiar with and operate within relevant local and organisational procedure, directives and general information made available through the line manager. General Promote and develop good community networks which support people we support with inclusion and integration. Promote a positive image and name of the Association in the wider community. Be accountable and responsible for input into service planning and delivery, together with job performance as per role within the Association. Promote dignity at work and show respect to people we support, colleagues and stakeholders in the course of duty. Act in a confidential manner when dealing with personal information relating to people we support, families and staff. Attend staff training events as required and implement learning in the workplace. Perform any other appropriate duties as requested by the person in charge. 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