Social Care Worker

Job Description: Inspired are seeking a Social Care Worker to work with individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) within various training and development environments, including participants’ community and work settings. The primary functions of the role include promoting participants’ social, emotional, physical, and learning abilities while also enabling participants to address their personal health and well-being. In this role, Social Care Workers will empower individuals to achieve greater independence by offering guidance, instruction, and role modelling. Social Care Workers are expected to actively search for opportunities for individuals to make their own choices, support their advocacy and allow them agency over their own life. Equally, they must enable individuals with disabilities to reach their highest level of potential, and must be flexible, creative, and committed to those participating in both Inspired and other community-based programmes.

About Inspired : Inspired is a community-based service provider for young adults with ID, based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. Key to Inspired is its unique ethos. Our learning programmes, employment initiatives and community-based activities are fully participant-led. They are driven by the aim of affording participants a sense of agency, empowerment and self-determination. Through respectful collaboration and enabling participants to craft and design their own personalised progression plans, we facilitate adults with ID to reach their full potential and forge enriching and valued roles in society.

Contract Job Purpose: The position requires a high degree of understanding and professionalism. Confidentiality regarding all participants attending day service or Inspired programmes and staff is most important. The Social Care Worker must have the ability to work with people with an intellectual disability and must believe that the person has the right to experience continued training and personal development, have access to employment or a socially valued role, and enjoy the right to participate in the community as an equal citizen. The person appointed must also be highly responsible and reliable and should be capable of enabling and empowering vulnerable people so they can enjoy a better quality of life. The position will require flexibility, good conduct, a positive attitude, leadership, and the ability to work as part of a team.

Key Relationships:

· Programme Participants

· Day Services Co-Ordinator

· Career and Programme Coordinator

· Job Coaches

Job Type:

· Full Time

· 1 year contract (The candidate must be available to complete the whole one-year contract)

Schedule: Monday – Friday

Start Date: As soon as possible (subject to Garda Vetting and Reference Checks)

Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience:

· Hold a minimum of a Level 7 on the QQI Framework – BA in Social Care Studies or equivalent qualification in Social Care.

· Have at least 2 years’ experience of working with vulnerable adults or adults with intellectual disabilities.

· An understanding of current policy and developments at national and sectoral level in

relation to Social Care within disability services.

· An ability to follow, evaluate and contribute to the further development of plans and

methods to meet the ongoing needs of individuals supported.

· Effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.

· Proficient IT skills relevant to the role, to include Microsoft Office Excel, Word, SharePoint,

OneDrive etc

Candidate Requirements:

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· Proven ability to build and maintain sustainable working relationships

· Creative thinker with strong facilitation and organisational skills

· Capable of working independently and using initiative

· Full, clean drivers licence

· Garda Vetting is required

· Candiate must be Registered with the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained by CORU or hold a CORU approved Social Care Worker qualification and have applied for CORU registration (evidence required)

· References must be available upon request

Roles and Responsibilities:

Participant Engagement & Support

• Take responsibility for your designated participant group, leading key working and ensuring that participants engage in meaningful activities based on their preferences and needs.
• Motivate, encourage, and support participants to actively participate in planned activities of their choice.
• Ensure the participants’ personal care and support plans are developed and completed in accordance with relevant regulations and standards, under the general supervision of the Day Services Coordinator.
• Support participants in daily activities, including personal care, ensuring their health, safety, and well-being are maintained.
• Assist participants in making informed choices and decisions, promoting independence and community integration in line with the New Directions framework.
• Provide assistance in achieving meaningful social roles, and help participants access community services and facilities (e.g., public transport, libraries, etc.).

Planning & Documentation

• Develop person-centered, meaningful plans and goals in consultation with participants, reflecting their desires and choices.
• Maintain up-to-date and well-organised participant files, ensuring they are always inspection-ready (including for HSE inspections).
• Contribute to Person-Centered Planning meetings and follow through on any actions or outcomes discussed.

Teamwork & Supervision

• Work collaboratively with the team to ensure that all staff members are supported and that workloads are managed effectively.
• Attend and engage actively in team meetings, supervisions, and appraisals to promote continuous professional development.
• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to colleagues, promoting a positive and cooperative team environment.

Health & Safety

• Perform required Health and Safety checks and risk assessments, ensuring appropriate documentation is completed.
• Uphold a high standard of health and safety by reporting and recording incidents as needed.
• Assist with the administration and management of medications, adhering to the organisation's medication policy.

Confidentiality & Data Protection

• Maintain participant confidentiality in accordance with GDPR and the organisation’s policies.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of all documentation and reports and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Participate in internal and external audits, ensuring any actions arising from audits are followed up promptly.
• Complete required quality reports in a competent and timely manner, contributing to continuous service improvement.
• Address and report any feedback from participants, families, and stakeholders to enhance the service provided.

Professional Development

• Take ownership of your own professional development by attending mandatory training and engaging in additional development opportunities.
• Engage in reflective practice to continuously improve your skills and knowledge.
• Develop and demonstrate leadership qualities by being a positive role model for the team and the participants you support.

Personal Care & Manual Handling:

• Provide personal assistance to participants in all aspects of personal care, ensuring comfort, hygiene, and safety.
• Assist with manual handling tasks, adhering to safe practice guidelines and individual risk assessments.
• Ensure all interactions with participants are approached with dignity, respect, and in accordance with their personal choices.

Community Integration & Social Participation:

• Encourage and assist participants to engage with their local community, helping them access services and facilities (e.g., public transport, libraries, social clubs).
• Support participants to develop independent living skills, with a focus on community engagement and inclusion.
• Supervise participants during leisure and extracurricular activities, promoting social interactions and enjoyment.

Other Duties:

• Carry out housekeeping duties (e.g., cleaning, tidying) as required, contributing to the environment and participants’ well-being overall.
• Work within the ethos and objectives of the organisation, following all internal policies and procedures.
• Be proactive and flexible in carrying out any other duties as required by the service.

Trust In Care Policy

Inspired adheres to the Trust in Care Policy whereby staff have a duty of care to protect participants from any form of behaviour which violates their dignity and to maintain the highest possible standards of care. Trust in Care outlines the policies and procedures which are in place to manage the risks that have been identified. Inspired staff will be expected to adhere to this policy.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What we offer:

· Job Type: Full Time

· Competitive salary

· Career progression opportunities

· Work/life balance

· 29 days paid annual leave (Pro Rata Basis)

· Employee Assist Programme offering advice and counselling

· Paid mandatory training

· Statutory Sick Pay

· Schedule: Monday to Friday

· Work Location: On site, participant facing role, in Tralee with travel where required.

· Application deadline: Wednesday 27th August 2025

Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 12 months

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Employee assistance program
• Sick pay

Application question(s):

• Do you hold a minimum of a Level 7 on the QQI Framework – BA in Social Care Studies or equivalent qualification in Social Care?

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Drivers Licence (required)

Work Location: In person