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.

Waking Night Support Worker/s

Skibbereen Residential Services

Permanent Contract

Hours: Either 1 x 39 hpw or 2 x 20 hpw

(Waking Night, Sunday Premium and Saturday Allowance)

Closing Date: Friday 23rd October 2026

Please note that a 12 month panel may be formed from these interviews from which future positions may be filled.

For details on submitting an application please visit our jobs website https://www.coaction.ie or you can email hrgen@coaction.ie

Responsible to: The Community Access Facilitator/Programme Manager/Area Manager and/or The Social Care Leader

Base: The Adult Services Centre and/or The Community

Overall Purpose of Position

The aim of the adult services training and employment programmes within the Centre is to develop a range of practical and training skills with a view towards increasing innovation, independence and a sense of achievement for the people that use our services. The programmes contain vocational training and social and recreational activities. The role of the Support Worker is to assist the Community Access Facilitator and/or The Social Care Leader in the planning, developing, implementing and reviewing specified programmes in line with the ethos of the organisation. The Support Worker also has responsibility for supporting the person that avail of our services with their personal care (clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene).

Main Responsibilities

To take guidance from your Community Access Facilitator/Social Care Leader in the delivery of programmes
To be aware of the individuality of each service user i.e. their interests, likes/dislikes, abilities, and their means of communication.
To at all times treat service users with dignity and respect.
To promote a friendly and supportive environment in the training and employment centre/group home.
To provide the highest possible standard of care at all areas and develop a caring relationship with each service user.
To assist in the personal care of service users where appropriate. (i.e. clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene)
To report all accidents, incidents and complaints in the appropriate manner.
To be an active advocate for the service users.
To ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the ethos of the organisation.
To liaise with other relevant staff.
To assist in the maintenance of the adult services centre.
To be familiar with CoAction’s policies and procedures.
To be familiar with Health and Safety regulations and policies and to carry out any tasks or safety measures that may be laid down.
To ensure safety and safe working conditions in the workplace.
To report any defective/faulty equipment.
To ensure the safety of supported individuals within the centre and the community at all times.
To contribute in a positive and energetic manner to the overall development of CoAction and the services it provides.
To attend to parents and other visitors to the Adult Services centre with courtesy, tact and consideration.
To follow cash handling procedures as determined by the area manager and/ or the accounts department
To supervise meals together with other staff and to assist in recreational activities as required. To carry out escort duties as required.
To drive Company vehicles as required.
To develop relevant skills and abilities by taking part in training courses.
Ability to work within a team and independently and to be motivated and flexible.
A knowledge of best practices when supporting individual’s with a diagnosis of ASD.
Ability to use creative thinking, initiative, problem solving and good decision making skills.
To support all individuals with a person centred approach focusing on greater independence.
To maintain a happy, stimulating and secure environment for all supported individuals.
To maintain a high level of supervision/support at all times.
To contribute to the assessment of the needs of individual service users, and to the formation of programmes to meet those needs. These programmes will include educational, social, vocational, physical, life skills and therapeutic activities.
To support individuals in these activities.
To contribute to the recording and evaluation of these activities.

Essential Qualifications/Experience

QQI (FETAC) level 5 in Healthcare or an equivalent healthcare/social care qualification.
A Full Clean Irish Drivers Licence for manual vehicles

Desirable Qualifications/Experience

A relevant qualification in Healthcare, Learning Disabilities, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Nursing
Previous experience of working with people with an intellectual disability and / or autism
Previous experience of supporting people with behaviours that challenge
MAPA or CPI Training
First Aid training
Experience of working with arts, crafts, pottery, gardening and cooking

Essential Skills

Effective communication skills, verbal and written
Basic IT skills including typing and using Microsoft word.
Team player and initiative
Advocacy skills
The ability to support people with intimate and personal care needs.
Desirable Skills
Experience of working with arts, crafts, cooking and gardening.
The ability to support people with positive behaviour support plans
The ability to support people with identified physiotherapy and / or occupational therapy needs

Key Competencies (i.e. what are the key skills that are required to do this job)

The ability to build positive relationships with the people we support
The ability to carry out intimate and personal care
Effective communication skills both verbal and written / IT
Ability to work well within a team and the ability to work on your own initiative.
Advocacy Skills

Benefits:

Generous 25 days annual leave increasing with length of service
Sick Pay
Maternity leave
Parents leave
Pension
Death in service

All the above are in line with CoAction policies and procedures

Remuneration:

The remuneration for this role is €33,194 to €46,066 pa FTE depending on experience based on CoAction 2026 payscale.

***Only applicants with existing legal rights to work Ireland can be considered.***

Waking Night Support Workers x2 - Skibbereen Residential Services - Permanent - Ref D060

Benefits

Job Description