Relief Social Care Worker- Children's Residential Social Care
Job Description
Position Title: Social Care WorkerReports to: Social Care Manager / Deputy Manager / Social Care Leader as requiredSalary: €225 for 15-hour shift - €367.50 for 24.5-hour shift
Overview
As a Social Care Worker, you will support and care for young people referred to the house. Your responsibilities will include contributing to the assessment of their needs and implementing aspects of Placement, Behaviour Support (BSP), and Individual Crisis Management (ICMP) Plans to help meet these needs. Using the Odyssey Model of Care, you will teach new skills to young people and manage challenging behaviour. Additionally, you will connect them with local resources, network with local providers, and liaise with parents/carers and referral agencies. This role requires working evening, weekend, and residential shifts.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Assessment and Planning:
Contribute to the development and implementation of Behaviour Support Plans (BSP), Individual Crisis Management Plans (ICMP), and Placement Plans in line with Care Plans for children and young people.
Educational Support:
Teach young people not engaged in external schooling through 1:1 and group sessions, following their individual educational plans.
Assist young people attending school with homework, assignments, and other academic requirements.
Care Provision:
Participate in residential care activities designed to meet assessed needs as outlined in the young person’s Care and Placement Plans.
Provide care according to the BSP, Daily Plans, and ICMP developed for each young person.
Documentation and Communication:
Document the progress of the young person using Odyssey Social Care’s systems.
Liaise with supervisors, consultants, professionals, parents/carers, and referral agents as required.
Quality Assurance:
Ensure that each young person, and where appropriate, their parents/carers, receive the agreed quality and quantity of inputs.
Assist in evaluating the services provided by the house and addressing complaints and compliments from children, parents/carers, and other stakeholders.
Training and Development:
Attend mandatory company training sessions and participate in training as defined by your individual training plan.
Contribute to the induction and ongoing training of relief workers, trainees, support staff, and new staff members.
Team Participation:
Attend team meetings and contribute to the formation and implementation of Odyssey Social Care’s policies and strategic plans.
Be proactive in fostering team cohesion, building a positive atmosphere, and contributing to team-building exercises that enhance team confidence and morale.
Health and Safety:
Implement the Health and Safety Policy and associated Risk Assessment processes for the young people in the house and for the environment both inside and outside the house.
Leadership:
Support relief staff and trainees working in the house.
In the absence of a Social Care Leader, undertake the duties and responsibilities of the Leader.
Administrative Duties:
Perform all necessary administrative functions for the smooth running of the team.
Ensure that all files and client recordings are completed daily during your shift.
Manage and reconcile petty cash, ensuring financial systems are adhered to.
Household Responsibilities:
Participate in household tasks such as cooking, cleaning (including the house, grounds, and vehicles), and performing basic repairs as required.
Confidentiality and Ethics:
Maintain confidentiality regarding the children in care, staffing matters, financial matters, and any other internal company issues.
Uphold the company’s well-being, prioritizing it over personal, financial, or other gains.
Whistleblowing:
Encourage and utilize the whistleblowing policy when necessary.
Additional Duties:
Perform any other duties within your competence as required from time to time.
About the role
Essential Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills
Educational Requirements:
A minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or a relevant and related field.*
Relevant alternative qualifications include:
QI Level 8 in Psychology; QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling; QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community (or similar), Social Science/Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, Applied Behavioural Analysis, or Early Years Care (where the centre caters for children under 12); Professional Qualification in Teaching (excluding TEFL) or Nursing Studies; BA in Applied Policing or equivalent; Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent; or CORU registration as a Social Care Worker in the absence of a relevant qualification
Other Requirements:
CORU registered
A full, clean manual driving license is valid in Ireland.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of effective teamwork.
Familiarity with the Irish National Standards in Children’s Residential Centers.
Experience working with teenagers exhibiting challenging behaviour.
What you will need
Required criteria
- A minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or a relevant and related field.
- A full, clean manual driving license valid in Ireland.
- Experience working with teenagers exhibiting challenging behavior.
- Are you CORU Registered?
Odyssey Social Care
Odyssey Social Care is a children’s residential care provider. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams. We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas. We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.

Overview Mission: Odyssey Social Care provides safe homes where children and young people can heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and discover their own strengths. We give them the support and opportunities they need to build resilience and step into a brighter future. Working for Odyssey Social Care involves being part of a team (led by CEO Stacey McGrath, above) dedicated to supporting children and young people. As professional caregivers, we are caring, compassionate and resilient. We work with children who have experienced trauma, and believe in healing through trusting care relationships. The Odyssey Way We put the needs of the child at the forefront of everything we do. Our care framework is designed to be flexible, responsive and provide holistic care to our young people. Our care model, The Odyssey Way, is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led. It supports the needs of each individual child, helping them to work through trauma by focusing on overall wellbeing. Our unique, specialised intervention, the Odyssey Saoirse Project, uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills and positive mentoring to help young people heal, grow and thrive.

Our Values Safety – safe homes, safe care, safe relationships Quality – trauma-informed, evidence-based, outcome-led Trust – built through honest communication and consistency Empowerment – giving young people and staff the tools to succeed Inclusion – equity and belonging for all Impact – measurable difference for young people, staff, communities & planet Accessibility & Sustainability Odyssey Social Care is committed to encouraging a culture of diversity and inclusion across our organisation. As a Certified B Corp, we also believe in providing care sustainably, measuring our impact across our people, our communities, and the planet.
Our benefits
On joining Odyssey, you’ll be supported every step of the way. Competitive salary & incremental pay progression Flexible rostering that supports work-life balance Accredited training & continuous development Education assistance grants Health & life insurance supports Social events & wellbeing supports Real career progression – 80%+ of our leaders Have grown from within We believe in caring for our staff with the same commitment we bring to the young people in our homes. For more details, visit About Us
Flexible schedule
Employee development programs
A diversity program
Cycle to work
Referral bonus
Company retreats
Life insurance
Employee Assistance Scheme
Social Opportunities
Culture of recognition
On the job learning
Long service awards
Relief Social Care Worker- Children's Residential Social Care
Odyssey Social Care is a children’s residential care provider. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams. We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas. We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.



