Social Care Worker/ Autism Practitioner

Social Care Worker/Autism Practitioner - Living Options, Fairview, Dublin 3, Co. Dublin
Specified Purpose, Full-time (39 Hours per Week)

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism? Do you have experience in the social care or disability sector and a commitment to person-centred support? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our innovative and dynamic team at Gheel Autism Services

Who We Are

At Gheel Autism Services, we are dedicated to supporting individuals with autism through their life journey. Our mission is to enable people to have fulfilling life experiences while promoting autonomy and empowering them to make their own choices. Our services include day and vocational opportunities, outreach support, and various supported living options. We take a strengths-based approach, tailoring personalised plans to meet each individual's unique needs. Our team is committed to fostering independence, social inclusion, and overall well-being, ensuring that each person achieves outcomes that are meaningful to them.

Why Join Us?

As part of the Gheel team, you will receive:

• Access to Educational Support Schemes to further your professional development.
• A competitive salary scale ranging from €35,216 to €50,954 (39-hour week).

Comprehensive benefits, including:

• Company pension with contributions (including income protection and death-in-service benefits).
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave (service-dependent).
• 27 days of annual leave.
• Bike-to-Work scheme.
• Training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• Option to join the Health Service Credit Union.
• Access to Health Insurance.

About the Role

We are currently looking to hire a Social Care Worker/Autism Practitioner for one of our residential services in Fairview. This is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to join a highly motivated team of skilled professionals from a variety of backgrounds including social care psychology and mental health.

At present, Living Options Team Fairview supports 6 individuals to live in their own homes. The people who live there enjoy a mixture of home and community-based activities. The ideal candidate will proactively support residents in ascertaining how they want and choose to live their lives. The team promotes the enablement, establishment, enhancement, maintenance and/or defence of valued social roles for the people we support in line with their will and preference.

The fundamental purpose of this role is to support people in finding meaning and value in their lives while also enjoying a good quality of life. The biological, social, and psychological well-being of every individual receiving support would be prioritised to enhance overall health and wellbeing.

The ideal practitioner will be open-minded, consistently engage in self-reflection in their work, fully embrace a person-centered ethos, and possess the awareness and skillset to support those who experience sensory differences to maximize their experiences, both within their own home and their communities. You will be an aspirational, imaginative, and proactive social care practitioner when promoting the development of independent living skills, educational opportunities, employment possibilities, and social/leisure activities.

Excellent IT and report writing skills are essential. Knowledge of working under HIQA guidelines, regulations, and standards are a requirement of this post. The successful candidate will be expected to work an average of 39 hours rostered hours across Monday to Sunday. As this role is based in a residential setting employees will receive premium payments for sleepovers and unsocial hours.

Essential Qualifications:

• Level 7 qualification in Social Care/Studies from an accredited institution, OR
• A recognised qualification equivalent to the Irish Level 7 award (NARIC), OR
• Relevant third-level degree in social work, psychology, or allied health, OR
• Post-graduate qualification in Autism Studies.

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent communication and engagement skills.
• At least one year of recent experience in a similar role.
• Ability to promote independence in individuals with support needs.
• A full, clean driving licence.
• A thorough understanding of HIQA regulations.
• Eligibility for CORU Registration.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience supporting individuals with ASD and knowledge of autism.
• Experience in case management/key working.

Gheel Autism Services CLG is proud to be an inclusive employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure a fair and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require any adjustments or support to participate fully in any stage of the process, please contact us.

Ready to Apply?

To join our team, submit your cover letter and up-to-date CV. Applications will be shortlisted based on the evidence provided. The application deadline is Friday, 11th of April 2025, at 5 PM, with interviews scheduled shortly after. Garda Vetting is required, and late applications will not be accepted.

Be Part of Our Vision

Join Gheel Autism Services and help create a culture of inclusive, independence-focused support. Together, we can empower individuals to live fulfilling lives and achieve their dreams. Apply today to make a difference