Social Care Worker, Under 18s Residential, Caretakers, Dublin
Location: Dublin 8
Contract: Full time, Specific Purpose
The Caretakers Project provides emergency accommodation to young people, aged 16 & 17, who cannot be cared for in their own home or Alternative Care Arrangements.
Benefits: 25 days Annual Leave & 3 Concession Days, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, Maternity Top Up 26 Weeks, Tax-Saver Scheme, Education Assistance Policy, Paid Sick Leave policy, Premium rates for unsocial hours
Supports: Employee Assistance Program, Reflective Practice, Supervision, Well being initiatives including monthly meditations
Support Young Lives – Be Part of Their Journey Forward
What you will do:
* Treat young people and families with dignity and respect, promoting a culture of unconditional positive regard.
* Create and maintain a welcoming, safe, caring, and stable environment.
* Plan, implement, and evaluate placement plans as part of a team, ensuring accurate written and verbal reporting.
* Promote young people's participation in planning, decision-making, and service delivery.
* Work in partnership with parents, families, significant others, and external agencies to support the young person.
* Ensure primary care needs are met, including preparing nutritious meals and maintaining household standards.
* Promote the rights, responsibilities, and overall well-being (physical, emotional, social, cultural, spiritual) of each young person.
* Engage in age-appropriate activities, risk assessments, and crisis management procedures (e.g., Therapeutic Crisis Intervention).
* Provide accurate feedback, attend meetings, and contribute to reflective practice and team consistency.
* Maintain confidentiality, adhere to policies, and comply with health, safety, and child protection standards.
* Participate in professional supervision, training, and development to enhance skills and service quality.
* Assist with administration, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring compliance with HIQA and statutory requirements.
What you will need:
* A Third Level qualification at degree level in the area of social care i.e. youth work, social studies, addiction, psychology etc and/or be a CORU registered Social Care Worker
* Experience of working in a children's residential centre or with children with complex needs in other settings.
* Knowledge of attachment theory and trauma informed practice
* An understanding of theory and practice in the delivery of Residential Childcare Services
* An understanding of therapeutic approaches relevant to the client group
* Sufficient awareness of policy, legislative and professional requirements to ensure an appropriate standard of service delivery
* The ability to manage self in a busy working environment including the ability to prioritise workloads
* The ability to resolve conflict and empower people with sometimes quite divergent points of view
* A commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service
* Initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement
* Effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
* The ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect
Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
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