Social Care Assistant

Location:New Ross area, Co. Wexford

Contract Type: Permanent, 35 hours per week

Closing date: Friday, 23 October 2026, 4:00 p.m.

Join an Organisation You Can Be Proud Of

Since 1975, Cumas New Ross has empowered adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities to fully participate in their communities. Externally recognised for excellence we uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism, ensuring every individual’s rights, preferences, and goals are at the heart of all we do.

About the Role

As a Social Care Assistant, you will support the delivery of high-quality projects, programmes, and opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Reporting to the Team Leader/Day Opportunities Co-Ordinator, you will help participants enjoy a meaningful, inclusive life while enhancing their independence in line with their choices, preferences, and needs. The role involves building strong professional relationships with families, staff, and community or statutory agencies to ensure the best outcomes for those we support.

Role Requirements

QQI Level 5 Major Award or equivalent relevant qualification in Health or Social Care
A minimum of 6 months’ work experience working with individuals with intellectual disability with experience working with individuals with complex needs a distinct advantage.
Good IT and report writing skills.
Must hold a full clean manual driving licence (Manual and Automatic) valid in Ireland and be willing to drive company vehicles
Proficient in both oral and written English language
Have the legal right to work in Ireland and currently hold valid work authorisation for Ireland

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Social Care Assistant will have the following duties.

To facilitate, encourage and develop each individual’s choice and decision-making skills, and ensuring the individuals and their representatives are actively involved in the decision-making process.
Supporting individuals to progress in line with their Individual Plan as directed by the Day Services Facilitators, Team Leader, and Day Services Co-ordinator.
Support working with assigned individuals.
Accompany and support Individuals on holidays, outings, and in using community social and recreational facilities as required.
Ensure that the will and preference of the Individual’s is articulated and informs all supports provided.
Provide intimate care supports in a manner which the Individual’s privacy, dignity, choices, and preferences are upheld and in line with Cumas’s intimate care policy and as set out in their Support Plan.
To support, promote and facilitate a range of valued social roles which enable Individual to contribute their skills and talents.
To support promote and enable the Individual to direct their lives enabling them to maximise their independence and control.
To ensure the best possible health and wellbeing of individuals in all areas of their lives including healthy eating and promoting a healthy active lifestyle
Ensuring that your work and interaction with others is such that it promotes and enhances the independence of the service users.
Respect professional boundaries and maintain confidentiality for all individual and service information.

Project/Programme/Individual Opportunity Planning and Implementation

To support the delivery of a range of capacity building projects and programmes both in house and community based which support each service user to increase their social participation and independence at the time of their choosing.
Support projects/programmes and supports in a manner which is adapted to individuals and in line with the planning mechanisms.
Ensure service locations set up, cleaned, and left appropriately after use.
Support alternative communication methods with individuals for their projects, programmes, and opportunities using a variety of traditional and alternative communication methods.
Supporting the completion of monthly & quarterly feedback/planning and review sessions with Individuals and groups
Share information with Individuals/staff/volunteers as required by the Day Opportunities Facilitator

Maintaining Safe and Effective Work Systems/Record Keeping and Reporting

Evidence the planned supports for meaningful engagement in activities through key working sessions, daily logs, and other service information systems.
Be familiar with and ensure that Cumas policies, procedures, and codes of practice are adhered to.
Be responsible for the safe use and care of equipment and report faulty equipment etc., as it arises.
Be familiar and operate to fire regulations and emergency procedures and participate in the implementation of same.
Adhere to all standards and practices regarding health and safety in all areas of Cumas and participate in incident reviews or other investigations as required.
Report and record all complaints, concerns incidents, accident, or near misses in line with the standards.
Reporting any challenges, issues, or concerns to Team Leader/Day Opportunities Coordinator
Record and report any hazards or accidents to the Team Leader/Day Opportunities Coordinator.
Keep relevant and up to date Cumas record systems in line with required standards and within GDPR requirements.
Attend and participate fully in regular staff meetings where all aspects of the service area are discussed with a view to maintaining high standards.
Attend mandatory and specific skills training courses as scheduled.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of Cumas through the communication and participation structures.
Demonstrate Motivation, Teamwork, and positive professional approach.
Demonstrate excellent organisational, communication and team working skills.
Demonstrate a high capacity for responsibility, creativity, and individual initiative.
Demonstrate a commitment to using the resources available to the service in a planned and efficient manner.
Provide cover as required.
To perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Team Leader/Day Opportunities Co-ordinator

This is not an exhaustive list of all duties but is rather a guide to the role, the organisation may add other duties over time.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to work in an agile, creative, innovative, high-standard service where your skills and values will make a measurable difference every day. You’ll be part of a supportive, professional team committed to continuous improvement and genuine inclusion.

Additional Information

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign from which current and future, permanent, fixed term and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Ireland at the time of application, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Positions are based in New Ross area, Co. Wexford.

A 6-month probationary period will apply. Garda Clearance and reference checks will be required for all prospective employees.

For full job description or person specification, please contact recruitment@cumas.ie

Cumas New Ross is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Social Care Assistant (Permanent Contract)

Job Description