Job Description
Location:
Hillview Lodge, Odyssey Social Care
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 lead shifts, supervise Social Care Workers, and ensure compliance with
TUSLA standards
,
child protection policies
, and
National Standards for Children's Residential Centres
.
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
* 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.
Skills Needed
About The Company
Overview
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 (led by CEO Stacey McGrath, above) 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.
Required Criteria
* Do you have a minimum 2 years' experience working directly with children/young people in a social care setting.
Desired Criteria
Closing Date
Saturday 28th February, 2026
Contract Type
fulltime
Salary
From €42,432.00 Yearly to €46,176.00 Yearly