CoAction West Cork provides quality services to support children and adults with an intellectual disability, and children with autism. This is achieved by helping each service user reach their full potential, working in partnership with their families and carers, within the community.

Social Care Worker

Waking Nights - Bantry Residential Services

Specific Purpose Contract 17.5 hours per week

Waking Night, Sunday Premium and Saturday Allowances

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 27th March 2026

A panel may be formed from these interviews, from which future positions may be filled.

For further details or for details on submitting an application please visit our website www.coaction.ie or you can email hrgen@coaction.ie

Responsible to: Social Care Leader and Area Manager

The following description is intended to give a broad outline of the post only. It is neither inclusive nor definitive. Duties may be altered or amended to suit the changing needs of our clients. Staff will be consulted regarding any such changes. It is our policy to review job descriptions on an on-going basis.

Overall Purpose of Position

To take responsibility for the day-to-day activities in the group home. To ensure compliance with HIQA standards. To assist the social care leader in the responsibility for health and safety, programme implementation, personal support plans, budget management, staff planning, staff support and family liaison.

Main Responsibilities

To contribute to the promotion, creation and maintenance of a welcoming, caring and supportive environment in the Group Home ensuring a high standard of care/ support is delivered.
To ensure all work is carried out in line with HIQA regulations and to maintain awareness of current standards in relation to effective care and support for people with disabilities.
To at all times treat people staying in the house with dignity and respect.
To be attentive to the physical and emotional needs of people staying in the house
To encourage group participation in the day- to- day running of the house. I.e cleaning, budgeting, cooking, menu planning, shopping, recreation activities.
To contribute to the provision of a programme of stimulating activities for all people staying in the house and to assist people with the development of recreation activities and hobbies.
To escort and assist on group outings arranged.
To ensure that people are not subjected to any forms of abuse and in particular, to ensure they are not subject to bullying or the threat of bullying.
To implement agreed programmes in liaison with the social care leader
To ensure that all relevant records within the house are maintained to a high standard
To share in those duties, which are essential to the maintenance of hygiene, and to undertake domestic duties required to maintain the house in a clean and tidy condition.
Under the guidance of the Social Care Leader/Area Manager to maintain good relationships with the clients families and other professionals.
To participate in staff meetings.
To ensure that health and safety guidelines are adhered to at all times.
To ensure that all accidents/ incidents and complaints are reported and appropriately dealt with in line with CoAction’s policies and procedures.
To keep the social care leader/area manager informed of all matters relating to the residents welfare through regular reports and oral communication.
To be alert to any possible danger, either from defects in premises or equipment, to address and bring to the notice of the social care leader/area manager.
In the event of any immediate danger, to take appropriate action to reduce the risk of physical injury.
To develop relevant skills and abilities by taking part in training courses open to you.
To deliver induction and training to residential staff as agreed with the Social Care Leader/Area Manager.
To carry out day-to-day supervision of staff reporting to you.
To contribute in a positive and energetic manner to the overall development of CoAction and the services it provides.
To ensure that all policies are adhered to at all times.
Whilst acknowledging the need for the professional sharing of information within the team, you are required to have strict regard to confidentiality within the team.
To carry out other duties which may be agreed from time to time in discussion with the Social Care Leader/Area Manager.
HEALTH & SAFETY
- To be aware of and practice the correct use of all aids and appliances e.g. Hoists.
- Ensure all accidents/incidents are reported and documented in accident/incident book as held in each area.
- Make oneself aware of the Foundation’s duties and the employee duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at work Act 2005.
- Report faulty equipment and fittings to the Person in Charge, Staff Nurse/Supervisor.
- To ensure adequate knowledge of emergency actions and plans.
- To ensure fire and safety precautions are implemented and maintained
LEADERSHIP
- Under the direction of the Social Care Leader/Nurse, the Social Care Worker will manage, develop and support staff individually and as a team including induction, supervisory support and training in line with Foundation’s practices and the Health Care Act 2007 (Care and support of residents in designated centres for persons (Children and Adults) with disabilities) regulations 2013 and the Provision of the Childcare Act 1991 and all relevant regulations and standards that apply to Children in care as and when required.
- To take an active role in the co-ordination and development of individual plans in order to meet the needs of the people we support.
- Hold supervision meeting with support staff as directed by the PIC.
- To carry out goal setting and development with support staff.
- Ensure that staff are aware of and adhere to Foundations Policies and Procedures.
- To develop and maintain effective communication systems both formal and informal with residents, colleagues, families and stakeholders.
- Promote dignity at work and show respect to residents, colleagues, families and stakeholders in course of duty.
- To ensure that staff establish and maintain relationships with the residents which are based on respect and equality and promote their independence.
- To embrace advocacy in the delivery of person centered care.
- To ensure that complaints received are dealt with in accordance with the Foundation’s complaints policy.

Person Specification

Each candidate must, at the latest date of receipt of completed application form for the post possess:

Essential Qualifications

A recognised qualification that involves a third level supervised practice element to the course.

A recognised professional qualification for Social Care, outlined as follows;

Youth and Community Degree

BA & Hdip

NQSW/BSW/MSW

Nursing Qualification (RGN/RNID/ENMH) i.e

HETAC/DIT/(UCC) Diploma in Social Care

HETAC/DIT National Diploma in Applied Social Studies

HETAC/DIT National Diploma in Childcare

DIT Diploma in Applied Social Care

National Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Disabilities), The Open Training College, (HETAC) accredited.

Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID)

RNMH qualification is also recognised under the above guidelines.

Driving licence is essential.

Essential Skills

Interpersonal skills,

Ability to relate to people with intellectual disabilities, Flexibility,

Willingness to learn

Ability to work on own initiative

Knowledge of advocacy and practical application.

Ability to write reports

Computer literacy

Good communications skills

Leadership ability

Essential Experience

Applicants should have a minimum of 12 months experience working in a residential setting with adults with an intellectual disability.

Good working knowledge of HIQA

Supervisory experience

Budgetary experience

Intimate Care/personal care

Record keeping

Desired Experience

Experience of working with the HIQA Regulations and experience of HIQA inspections.

Social Care Worker - Bantry Residential - Spec Purpose - Ref D019

Job Description