Social Care Worker, Under 18s Residential, Caretakers, Dublin

Location: Dublin

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent contract

The purpose of this role is to provide emergency accommodation to young people, aged 16 & 17, who cannot be cared for in their own home or Alternative Care Arrangements e.g., Residential Unit. Its primary aim is to help the young people attain stability during this crisis period whilst Tusla develops accesses more stable accommodation

What you will do:

• Treat young people and their families with dignity and respect, promoting a culture of unconditional positive regard at all times
• Contribute to the promotion, creation and maintenance of a welcoming, safe, caring, stable environment
• Plan, implement and evaluate, placement plans as part of a team, ensuring the written and verbal reporting of plans as per project policy
• Recognise young people as experts through experience, promoting their participation in placement planning, decision-making and service delivery
• Develop an understanding of how previous life experiences impact on young people and incorporate this into the work of the project
• Work in partnership with the parent(s), family, significant others, and other agencies on behalf of the young person
• Participate in meetings in relation to the care and development of the young person
• Attend all Staff team meetings and reflective practice
• Ensure that the primary care needs of the young people are met
• Prepare and provide, in conjunction with young people, well balanced meals of high quality
• Promote the rights and responsibilities of each child young person within the centre
• Promote physical, emotional, social, cultural, ethnic and spiritual welfare of each child / young person in care
• Undertake various aspects of home management including the household budget, upkeep of the building including cleaning
• Arrange and actively engage in age-appropriate activities with young persons
• Ensure that the care of young people both on and off site is risk assessed: Caretakers adopts a Positive Risk Management Ethos whereby it is balanced, defensible and collaborative. We do not view risk negatively and to be avoided (Blood and Wardle 2018)
• Actively participate in crisis management procedure (currently Therapeutic Crisis Intervention)
• Provide verbal and written feedback on the progress of the young person as required
• Assist with transfer / referral to other services where appropriate
• Be a positive role model for young people
• Attend Court if required
• Engage and form relationships with children/young people who have been traumatised
• Remain calm and manage self when faced with volatile and potentially violent situations'
• Accept any responsibilities in relation to young people as agreed within the team and to undertake individual and group work with these young people
• Develop Individual Absence Management Plans and follow Centre policy regarding Missing from Care
• Ensure that the children young people are not subjected to any forms of abuse and, in particular, to ensure that they are not subject to bullying or the threat of bullying.
• Contribute to the promotion of good links with neighbours, local community resources, clubs, local Gardai and any other appropriate service.

Team Work

• Ensure consistency and follow through on interventions between shifts
• Provide accurate and precise information at handover
• Provide shift leadership as and when required

Health & Safety

• Adhere to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (1989) policies and procedures and other relevant legislation
• Report any immediate concerns / incidents of questionable practice to the Manager their designate
• Be familiar with emergency procedures and know who to contact in an emergency

Responsive Workforce: Training & Professional Development

• Participate in regular professional supervision
• Participate in further training and development as required

Administration and Accountability

• Assist in the administration and day to day operation of the service
• Effectively plan and manage resources, within budget
• Be accountable for any money spent on behalf of Focus Ireland during the course of the shift via petty cash
• Report and record any significant events as per regulations, policy and procedure
• Co-operate with external monitoring and statutory inspections and implement their recommendations
• Ensure that all information relating to clients, their families, staff colleagues etc is treated in a thoroughly professional manner, in accordance with the principles of confidentiality, data Protection legislation and Freedom of Information
• Implement and adhere to local and national policies and procedures regarding the care of young people in the service with particular reference to HIQA

What you will need:

• Relevant third level degree in the area of social care i.e. youth work, social studies, addiction, psychology
• 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

To apply please submit your CV Here
Closing date for applications: 21st August 2025

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer