Residential Social Care Worker

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This role provides an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of children seeking safety and protection in a new country. If you are passionate about helping vulnerable young people and have the relevant skills and experience, we invite you to apply.

Job Purpose:

The Residential Care Worker will provide direct care, emotional support, and guidance to separated children who are seeking international protection, residing in a residential care setting. The role involves promoting the welfare, safety, and well-being of young people, ensuring they are supported through their asylum application process, and providing a stable, nurturing, and therapeutic environment.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities:

· Complete shift work

· Respect and promote cultural diversity, recognising the unique needs of young people from different backgrounds and countries.

· Support young people in adjusting to their new environment, helping them adapt to new cultural norms while maintaining their heritage.

· Facilitate access to healthcare, language support, education, and other necessary services

· Build trusting, positive relationships with young people to offer emotional support and address their psychological needs.

· Provide a safe space for young people to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

· Advocate for the rights and needs of the young people in in your care, ensuring their voices are heard during all stages of their journey.

· Work with external professionals, including mental health professionals to support young people experiencing and living with trauma and loss.

· Ensure the safety and protection of young people in accordance with legislation ie Children's First.

· Identify and report any concerns related to the well-being or protection of young people in your care, adhering to safeguarding policies and procedures.

· Assist with the Individual Placement Planning process including the facilitation and documentation of keywork, preparation of reports and recording observations in young people's daily logbooks.

· Support young people in understanding and navigating the immigration process, working closely with relevant professional teams to ensure their voices are heard.

· Assist young people in their daily routines, including hygiene, nutrition, education, and recreational activities.

· Help young people develop life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and budgeting to enhance their independent living skills in preparation for turning 18.

· Work collaboratively with other residential staff, social work departments, legal professionals, healthcare providers, and external agencies to meet the young people's needs.

· Attend and participate in regular team meetings, placement planning meetings, and scheduled training.

· Participate in relevant training and professional development to stay informed about best practices, including child protection, trauma-informed care, and the rights of internation protection applicants.

· Stay updated on local and international policies and frameworks affecting separated children seeking protection.

Skills & Abilities:

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with young people and colleagues.

· Knowledge of child protection laws and safeguarding procedures.

· Ability to remain calm and professional in stressful situations.

· Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and cultural sensitivity.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

· Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Personal Qualities:

· Compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental.

· Patient, resilient, and adaptable.

· Strong commitment to children's rights and the welfare of separated children.

· Proactive and solution-focused mindset.

· Ability to work under pressure and in a dynamic environment.

Shift Patterns

To ensure that the standards of care are maintained at all times for separated children seeking international protection, a flexible and responsive shift pattern is essential. Below are examples of shift patterns, including waking nights, support shifts, and sleepover shifts, designed to provide round-the-clock care while adhering to the operational and legal requirements of the residential setting.

Sleepover (Late/early) – 10am – 11am the following day.

Support – 10am-8pm / 8am -pm

Waking night – 8pm – 8am

Transport

In addition to the primary responsibilities outlined above, it is crucial for the role to include a full clean driver's license (Irish/UK/European) and dependable transport to ensure consistent care and coverage in the residential setting. Having dependable transport allows staff to attend shifts on time and avoid disruptions within the residential setting

Skills Needed

About The Company

Ashdale Care is the leading provider of enhanced and specialised therapeutic residential care for children and young people in Ireland. We care for young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs who cannot be adequately cared for in a mainstream setting.

For over 20 years our focus has always been 'putting the child first'. Our child-centric ethos consists of compassionate and industry-leading therapeutic care. This is delivered by a skilled in-house team which includes therapists, psychologists, teachers and creative art therapists for the most comprehensive support possible.

We provide a range of essential services for children and young people such as sensory integration, therapy, outdoor activities, education and so much more.

Company Culture

Our core goal is to allow children to create relationships, develop life skills and give them a safe place to grow.

We define ourselves by the care we give to everybody at Ashdale Care. We provide an abundance of training opportunities to all those on the Ashdale Care team. You will have every opportunity to grow in your role, and we reward and recognise hard work and dedication through career progression.

Our commitment to transforming lives is a mission that our team members contribute to daily and a role they are fully supported in.

Desired Criteria

Required Criteria

• Ability to work in regulated activity, care for and supervise young persons
• Full clean driving license
• Flexible – willing and able to adapt to changing circumstances, shift patterns and expectations
• Level 7 qualification (degree) or above in one of the following: Social Care Social Work Health and Social Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy Youth & Community Teaching Nursing Social Science Addiction Counselling Counselling / Psychotherapy Family Support Disability Studies Applied Behavioural Analysis Early Years Care