Deputy Manager, Under 18s Residential Services, Dalkey

Location: Dalkey
Contract: Full-Time, 1 year Fixed Term Contract

The purpose of this role is to work as part of a team, within the u18s residential care services providing support and therapeutic care to young people aged 13-17 who are out of home in a medium to long-term residential setting. To assist the Manager in providing effective leadership and supervision to the team.

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

What you will do:

• Work within the framework of the overall objectives of Focus Ireland.
• To lead a team in adhering to the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
• To effectively respond to the changing needs and challenges of the client group.
• To attend meetings and represent the team and the agency at external liaisons and to facilitate team meetings, team training and support sessions as required.
• To lead the team in providing a safe welcoming environment for young people aged 13-17 who are out of home, including provision of basic care needs such as household duties.
• To work in close co-operation with other teams in Focus Ireland, Community Care Social Work Services and other Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate.
• To oversee that daily logs, case notes and other information is recorded as required by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
• To participate in daily handovers and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the unit.
• To share supervision of Social Care Leaders, Social Care Workers, Students and Graduate with the Manager.
• To be responsible for conducting the performance reviews and for monitoring the performance of the staff being supervised by him/her. (Appraisals to also be signed off by the Manager and Head of Youth Services).
• To participate in the administrative functions of the project, such as Softworks, the Rota, Petty Cash as required by the Manager.
• To participate in the on-call system.
• In the absence of the Manager the Deputy Manager will take on the duties and responsibilities of the Manager to ensure the smooth running of the project.
• To implement the policies and procedures of the centre and the agency in collaboration with the Manager and the Head of Youth Services.
• To engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis with the Manager.
• To participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your manager.
• To undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the Manager.
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative.

What you will need:

• Hold a CORU approved Social Care Worker qualification and have applied for CORU registration (evidence of application will be necessary)
  Or
• Hold a CORU approved Social Care Worker qualification and have applied for CORU registration (evidence of application will be necessary)(https://coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/education/approved-qualifications/social-care-workers/)
• A minimum of 3 years full-time work experience at social care grade with children/young persons.
• Previous management experience.
• A working knowledge of the impact of childhood adversity on adolescents.
• A working knowledge and insight into the issues (e.g. substance misuse) that affect young people, in particular adolescents who have or are experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to manage and support young people in crisis who present with challenging behaviours based upon Focus Irelands values and principles of best practice.
• Experience of working in partnership with multidisciplinary teams to holistically meet the needs of young people.
• A working knowledge and understanding of the supervision and performance review process.
• A working knowledge and understanding of Child Protection, and responses to concerns.
• A high standard of written communication.
• Teamwork and team support.
• Flexible and reliable.
• Supervisory experience.
• A working knowledge and understanding of the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres. (Desirable)
• A working knowledge and understanding of therapeutic crisis intervention model. (Desirable)

To apply please submit your CV Here
Closing date for applications: 15th August 2025

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer