Overview
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
The role of Senior Social Care Worker is vital to the successful delivery of quality care, programmes and services in Neart Le Cheile for children and caregivers who access the service. The Senior Social Care Worker will support primarily children aged 4 to 18 along with their caregivers in Neart Le Cheile, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. The Senior Social Care Worker will report directly to the project manager and will be assigned a supervisor to provide regular support and supervision.
The Senior Social Care Worker will be a member of, and work collaboratively with the wider Neart Le Cheile staff team, and external service providers and stakeholders in the Clondalkin region. The Senior Social Care Worker will be responsible for supporting children from universal level to intensive wrap around support for those presenting with multiple and complex needs for a period of time. The role will also ensure the effective day-to-day running of the Neart Le Cheile project, all aspects of Health and Safety, Fire safety, Hygiene and the Physical Environment.
The Neart Le Cheile Service is located in Unit 1 / 2 Neilstown Shopping Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. (D22 AK38).
This role involves working (38 hours per week) Monday to Thursday 09.45 – 18.00 and Friday 09.30 -14.30; however, some earlier or evening work may be required to facilitate group work or the needs of the service, and a time in Lieu system will be in operation. Flexibility in working hours / patterns will be essential.
The Senior Social Care Worker will have a background in one of the following: Social Care Practice, Social Care Work, Applied Social Care, and Education, to a minimum level of Ordinary Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 7) or Honours Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8) in Social Care.
The ideal candidate would also be entered onto the CORU register of Social Care Workers.
Key Accountabilities
* To carry out all Initial / Pre Assessments on children and caregivers needs and develop and deliver appropriate care and case management.
* To be responsible for ensuring that children and caregivers care plans are implemented through practice.
* Co-ordinate and allocate all cases to the wider staff team to include social care workers, counsellor, family therapists and outward referrals.
* Collect weekly, monthly and yearly statistics, KPIs ensuring compliance.
* Ensure Care Plans are developed, agreed upon, implemented, and regularly reviewed for children and their caregivers.
* Adhere to all policies and procedures, particularly in relation to child protection, safeguarding, confidentiality, finance, personal safety and client care.
* Keep accurate, up to date and factual client records via the Neart le Cheile recording platforms (Salesforce / E-cass System).
* Implement and maintain with the wider staff team appropriate written records of all the work undertaken to include service user records, attendance records, programme design and evaluation.
* Co-ordinate and identify staff training to enhance service delivery.
* Engage with and develop connections with community support services and other networks to facilitate a two-way approach to sending and receiving referrals from relevant services, in a safe and client-centred manner.
* Promote and advertise ongoing services and activities that the service provides, and support people using the service to engage in ways that will improve their life circumstances.
* Develop opportunities to deliver activities and initiatives that tie into the national drug strategy and local and national awareness campaigns with the children or caregivers.
* Provide an accompaniment service that offers support and advocacy (e.g., school or home drops/pickups, outside-service activities, attendance at planned appointments with external professionals).
* Approach children and families with dignity and respect, ensuring they are provided with choices around the care and services they receive.
* Assist children and caregivers in providing feedback on services through meetings, the complaints procedures, suggestions and questionnaires in a child-friendly manner.
* Promote children and caregivers participation by providing information, advice and choices to enable them to participate in daily decisions.
* Report immediately to the Manager any incidence of malpractice by a staff member in relation to the treatment of any service user.
* Ensure that each child or caregiver’s personal property is respected and protected insofar as possible.
Financial
Responsibilities: To be aware of and adhere to all relevant financial procedures and regulations of the organisation and to report any discrepancies to the service manager immediately.
Liaison
* Establish responsive liaison arrangements both within the service and externally with local stakeholders, Clondalkin Drug & Alcohol Task Force, HSE, Tusla and other key partners.
* Promote the work of Neart le Cheile to other organisations.
* Attend internal and external meetings where appropriate and as requested.
* Be accountable for your workload and movements to your line manager.
Supervision, Support & Development
* Engage in regular supervision or one-to-one sessions with your line manager.
* Work under the direction of the service manager and the board of directors team.
* Contribute to the organisation’s aims and objectives in line with the strategic plan and core values.
* Participate in Team / Case Management meetings.
* Familiarity and compliance with all relevant policies and standards.
* Participation in relevant training events.
Health & Safety
* Attention to your own Health & Safety in the workplace and maintaining health and safety standards.
* Report incidents and maintain vigilance for hazards; manage incidents and accidents per policies and procedures.
* Ensure all Fire Safety Checks are carried out in line with policies, reporting issues to the Project Manager and designated fire officer.
* Ability to recognise and administer basic First Aid as required (training provided).
* Adhere to manual handling principles and ensure the service is safe, reporting any security issues as required.
Information Management:
Ensure data and personal information relating to clients and staff is kept safe and secure using the correct systems, collected for legitimate purposes and destroyed when appropriate.
Garda Vetting
Neart le Cheile will seek Garda Vetting for all residences in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. All appointments require satisfactory security clearances. If you lived in any country for 6 months or more other than Ireland/Northern Ireland, you will need security clearance for each jurisdiction. This process can take time; consider starting international clearances now.
Qualifications
Qualifications/eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the recruitment process. Essential criteria are listed below. The onus is on the candidate to ensure they meet the requirements.
The Appropriate Candidate Will Have:
* Professional Qualification in one of: Social Care Practice, Social Care Work, Applied Social Care, to a minimum level of Ordinary Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 7) or Honours Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8) in Social Care.
* CORU: One of the following: (1) Registered with CORU; (2) Hold a CORU- approved qualification and have applied for CORU registration; (3) Eligible for CORU registration.
* Minimum two years post-qualification experience with children with complex needs and related challenges.
* Ability to lead and motivate a staff team to deliver a professional service.
* Ability to relate to and care for vulnerable children, young people and families with respect.
* Ability to provide a service that enhances dignity, development and independence of children and caregivers.
* Understanding of family dynamics, youth mental health, substance misuse, hidden harm, separated families, Domestic Violence/abuse.
* Administration skills for record keeping and report writing; computer literacy.
* Experience facilitating meetings with external agencies.
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Your personal motor insurance must indemnify Neart Le Cheile when driving your own car for work purposes and you must be prepared to drive company vehicles as required.
Desirable
It would be an advantage for the candidate to have:
* Full clean driver’s license.
* Experience in two or more of: Community Family Support, Children’s Residential Care, Children’s Mental Health, Challenging Behaviour or Substance Misuse.
* Knowledge of child protection legislation and guidelines.
* Knowledge of statutory and voluntary social care services and systems.
* Experience working independently, lone working, managing one’s own caseload and time management.
Application Instructions
* Read the Post Description Carefully.
* Review the job description, duties, and requirements to ensure you meet eligibility criteria.
* Write a cover letter highlighting your suitability.
* Attach an up-to-date CV.
* Address each essential and desirable criterion listed.
* Include copies of relevant qualifications, certificates, or references.
* Ensure all documents are up to date and clearly labelled.
* Submission Process: Send your application by email to Declan.Hannon@neartlecheile.ie by 5pm on 26/09/2025 and in the subject line state “Senior Social Care Worker Application”.
For queries contact: Declan.hannon@neartlecheile.ie (Service Manager) or Andy@dignityIreland.ie (Chairperson).
Shortlisting will apply. Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted. The successful candidate will be appointed after Garda vetting and reference checks.
Neart Le Cheile is an equal opportunities employer.
What We Offer
SENIOR SOCIAL CARE WORKER
Salary: Scale aligned to HSE pay scale (HSE CODE: 3029).
SENIOR SOCIAL CARE WORKER (WITH QUALIFICATION)
6 POINT SCALE (CONTINUES ON SOCIAL CARE WORKER SCALE FROM POINT 6 - 10)
1. 47,596
2. 49,030
3. 50,485
4. 51,953
5. 53,477
6. LSI
Annual leave: 25 days + 3 days over Christmas to be decided by service manager. Christmas Eve / Good Friday are automatic days off. Bank Holidays: 10 public holidays per year pro rata. Sick Leave: 3 weeks full sick pay with GP cert from day one. Time In Lieu available. Salary paid monthly on the 28th. Contracted hours: 38 per week with flexibility. Work pattern: Mon-Thu 09.45-18.00, Tue 09.45-18.00, Wed 09.00-17.15, Thu 09.00-17.15, Fri 09.30-14.30. Service closes for lunch 13.30-14.30 (Mon-Thu). Job Type: Full-time. Pay: €47,596.00-€53,477.00 per year.
Benefits: Bike to work scheme; Employee assistance program; On-site parking; Sick pay.
Work Location: In person.
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