About Western Care
Western Care provides appropriate care in the most suitable setting for the people we support. We are currently expanding our team across County Mayo.
Job Title
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 CV. Closing date: 28 June 2026. For further enquiries, contact David Tuomey, Principal Social Worker, Tel: 087‑2930391.
Additional Information
Panels may be formed from this competition to fill similar posts within the organisation.
Job Brief
The Home Sharing Link Social Worker collaborates with the Home Sharing Co‑ordinator to operate and develop the Home Sharing Service in line with Western Care Association mission, values and interim standards.
Commitment to a human rights approach and implementation of the Assisted Decision‑Making Act 2015 are essential, ensuring people live a self‑directed, connected, inclusive, meaningful and fulfilling life.
Qualifications & Requirements
Relevant Social Work qualifications – must be registered with CORU.
Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to work independently.
Experience with people with intellectual disability and/or autism and their families is desirable.
Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility and high levels of computer literacy.
Ability to manage a caseload through prioritisation and responsiveness to specific issues.
Ability to manage in a changing and adaptable environment.
Salary Scales
Basic Grade Social Worker Pay Scale €46,295 to €70,562 (based on full‑time 35 hours per week).
Other Duties Involved
Contribute to and actively participate in local service planning.
Ensure a safe and respectful workplace, adhering to Dignity at Work Policy and all Health & Safety requirements.
Promote safety in all environments per Association 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 licence essential.
All applicants will undergo Irish Garda Vetting and reference checks.
Applicants from outside the EU must provide relevant work authorisation.
Applicants who have lived outside the Republic or Northern Ireland for more than six months since age 16 must provide Overseas Police Clearance.
Employment Benefits
Competitive salary in line with Department of Health 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) with 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 indicating a reasonable prospect of providing regular, reliable and efficient service.
Job Summary
The Home Sharing Link Social Worker works alongside the Home Sharing Co‑ordinator to operate and develop the Home Sharing Service on the mission, values and interim standards of Western Care. The role commits to a human rights approach and to the Assisted Decision‑Making Act 2015, ensuring people live self‑directed, connected, inclusive, meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Reports to: Principal Social Worker or Delegate.
Supervision provided by Principal Social Worker/Social Work Team Leader.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Provide 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 with partnership of people with intellectual disability, families, Home Share families and the 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 relevant agencies.
Actively implement the operational Home Share Process within the Service.
Complete Home Sharing family assessments in line with national interim standards.
Participate fully in the home share approvals panel to review and decide on assessment outcomes.
Participate in the matching process to ensure a good match between the person and Home Share family.
Continually assess and identify training and support requirements for Home Sharing families; support delivery of training in partnership with the Home Sharing Coordinator.
Liaise with necessary parties to establish and implement Home Sharing.
Be involved in Placement Agreements, Care and Support plans, risk plans, etc., that facilitate the needs of the person supported.
Ensure Home Sharing family is provided with or has access to all relevant and up‑to‑date information pertaining to the person availing of Home Sharing.
Review and assess the quality of Home Sharing Placements per Western Care Home Share Review process.
Work in partnership with the Home Share Co‑ordinator to conduct regular reviews of Home Sharing Placements with families, persons supported and their families.
Ensure adherence to the Home Sharing Placement Agreement and identify additional supports (training, equipment, information, etc.) required to maintain safe, high‑quality care.
Provide monitoring, supervision and support to Home Sharing families through formal reviews, regular contact, visits (including unannounced visits).
Liaise with the person’s own social worker to support the individual and family where appropriate, or refer to external teams, services and supports.
Ensure information pertaining to changing needs is communicated and responded to through Home Sharing family, the Coordinator and the person’s appointed Social Worker.
Work closely within the Home Share Service on implementation and 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 per the home share operational process.
Adhere to all relevant policies and procedures pertaining to the home share service.
Be familiar with policies, procedures and reporting obligations regarding Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Children’s First.
Work in line with CORU’s Code of Practice.
Participate in and attend National Home Share Committee meetings, conferences and 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 and hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of persons supported, prospective and actual home sharers and their families. On no account must this information be divulged except in the performance of normal duty. Records must never be left accessible to unauthorised persons and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required. Breaches of confidentiality are serious offences that may lead to disciplinary action or dismissal.
Quality
Participate in and develop service improvement initiatives, including compliance with National Interim Standards, service monitoring, evaluation and audit.
Qualifying Criteria
Applicants must hold a relevant Social Work qualification and be registered with CORU.
Policy and Procedure
Full awareness and knowledge of the National Standards for Residential Services for Children with Disabilities.
Aware of the contents of the Health Act 2007.
Familiar with Western Care Child Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults at Risk from Abuse Policy.
Aware of the Child Care Act 1991 and National Policy & Procedures.
Aware of the Children’s Act 2001.
Aware of the Criminal Justice Act 2012 (withholding information on offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons).
Familiar with the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003.
Knowledge of the Children’s First Act 2015.
Training
Mandatory training must be attended in line with Western Care policy.
Flexibility
While you will primarily be assigned to a particular area/remit, flexibility to work in other areas within the service may arise.
Self-development to keep abreast of new developments in the intellectual disability field.
Highlight identified areas for knowledge and skill development to your line manager.
Standard of Performance
Competence in carrying out the role is essential and performance is monitored and reviewed.
Regular attendance to fulfil the role; punctuality and good attendance are monitored.
Good working relationships with persons and families, colleagues and management; adherence to communication & dignity at work policy.
Adherence to satisfactory standard of professional conduct.
Working Relationships and Communication
Develop and contribute to good working relationships across the organisation and with all relevant personnel.
Report to and appraise line manager of all work‑related issues and difficulties.
Follow the Association's Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure, available on the intranet.
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding personnel and service matters.
Attend and actively participate in team meetings.
Active participation in supervisory support per Organisation Procedure.
Familiar with and operate within relevant local and organisational procedures, directives and general information available through the line manager.
General
Promote and develop good community networks to support inclusion and integration.
Promote a positive image and name of the Association in the wider community.
Accountable and responsible for input into service planning and delivery, together with job performance as per role.
Promote dignity at work and show respect to people we support, colleagues and stakeholders during duty.
Act in a confidential manner when dealing with personal information of 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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