Social Care Worker - Clarecare-1 Year Full Time Contract

Clarecare is a professional social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of people centred social services to individuals and families in County Clare for over 50 years. Current services provided include Family Support, Older Persons Services and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre.  Clarecare's headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon. Further information is available on       www.clarecare.ie        www.bushypark.ie

Clarecare is supported by a partnership with TUSLA, Health Service Executive, other Government Departments, by charitable funding and by the Diocese of Killaloe.

Clarecare Family Support Services, funded by TUSLA , offer a range of interventions to vulnerable children, including children subject to Safety Plans and / or open case to TUSLA, Child & Family Agency.  We work in partnership with service users and professional colleagues in the provision of individual and group-based supports.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Social Care Worker - Family Support Service

1 Year Full-time Fixed term contract of employment

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE :

Working from the Clarecare Family Support Service practice model, which is based on the Tusla National Practice Model - Meitheal, the role of the Social Care Worker is to :

Deliver quality and innovative interventions to (a) children and young people in the community who may be the subject of child protection and welfare plans, and (b) children and young people identified as in need of support in relation to emotional and behaviour issues arising at home, school or in their community.

• Deliver individual and group support interventions to parents to enhance their parenting skills and relationships with their children.

Carry out strengths and needs assessments in collaboration with children and parents and to formulate agreed outcome focussed interventions which are reviewed regularly.

SERVICE OBJECTIVES :

JOB RELATIONS : The Social Care Worker will report directly to the allocated Family Support Services Team Leader and work as part of a multi-disciplinary Family Support Team. The Clarecare Family Support Services Manager has overall responsibility for Family Support Services. Reporting structures are subject to change.

DAYS / HOURS OF WORK :   The working week is Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. daily with 30 mins. break. These positions may involve evening or weekend work (as required) and you are required to be flexible regarding your work hours / work days.

ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT :   Yearly Annual Leave entitlement is 26 days per full leave year (Jan-Dec) for this 1 year, full time, fixed term post. This entitlement excludes Public Holidays.

JOB LOCATION :    The office base for these positions will be Clarecare, Harmony Row, Ennis. This is an on-site role - remote / hybrid working does not apply.  You may, if required, be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer / Family Support Services Manager or designate; to the organisation's other places of business / centre locations. You will be given as much notice of any such change of place of work as is reasonably practicable.

The successful candidate will be covering cases from the county wide Family Support Service waiting lists as allocated by the Family Support Team Leader or designate. Flexibility and willingness to travel is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION :

General Responsibilities :

To be accountable to the designated Line Manager and Family Support Services Manager.

To adhere to Clarecare's policies, procedures, protocols in relation to all work within Clarecare.

To fulfil obligations under Children First Act 2015 and all responsibilities under Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).

To store and maintain accurate, confidential records in accordance with the Family Support Services practice protocols and to comply with responsibilities under the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 & 2018 (GDPR).

To complete and submit statistical information and reports in a timely manner as required.

To work as part of the wider Clarecare structure and carry out duties as required.

To support the work of staff, volunteers, students and others involved in Clarecare.

To participate in team meetings and attend meetings as deemed necessary.

To attend and participate in case management meetings with Family Support Services Manager or designate and relevant team members.

To engage in continuing professional development opportunities.

To maintain professional boundaries in all work with clients.

To perform such other duties appropriate to the positions as may be assigned to you.

Specific Responsibilities

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS :

Essential Requirements :

A nationally recognised CORU approved third level qualification to a minimum of Degree level in Social Care or Applied Social Studies (Level 7 QQI)

( https : / / coru.ie / health-and-social-care-professionals / education / approved-qualifications / social-care-workers / )

AND

Have applied for CORU registration on the Social Care Workers Register (evidence of application will be necessary)

OR

Be registered in the Social Care Workers Register maintained by the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained by CORU and maintain registration on a yearly basis.

AND

Relevant experience working with disadvantaged or marginalised children / young people and / or parents in their own home, residential and community settings.

AND / OR

Relevant experience working with marginalised parents on a one to one basis focusing on issues such as  the parent / child relationship, family communication and household routines.

Demonstrate experience of working with parents / guardians and children and an ability to engage adults and children in assessment and therapeutic work.

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with service users, team members and other statutory and voluntary agencies.

Demonstrate excellent organisational skills as the role requires the capacity to work in a demanding post; managing time, commitments and priorities effectively.

Experience of writing reports and confident knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and data management systems.

Ability to work as part of a team and to use one's own initiative when required.

Ability to maintain the principles of confidentiality in all areas of work.

Ability to foster good working relationships with external agencies and organisations

Maintain and submit annual membership of the relevant accredited body as per Clarecare policies and procedures

Ability to always maintain professional and personal boundaries and adhere at all times to Clarecare's Guidelines & Code of Conduct for Staff.

A positive 'fit to work' medical.

A positive Garda Vetting Disclosure through Clarecare.

Two positive references from current / most recent employer(s).

Full clean driving licence with insurance indemnity to Clarecare.

As part of your role duties / responsibilities, you will be required to carry clients in your own private vehicle and to indemnify Clarecare under your private motor insurance policy.

Desirable :

Remuneration :

The gross salary on offer is commensurate with relevant experience and is €36,161.34 gross per annum (with a further 2% increase on 1st April 2026 and a further 2% increase on 1st October 2026) for this 1 year full-time, fixed term role.

NOTE : This job description is provided as a guideline. Unforeseen policy changes or emerging needs of the Service, may create additional / new demands on the post, thus requiring the post holder to fulfil those demands.