Children’S Residential -Social Care Unit Manager

At Odyssey Social Care, we are committed to providing high-quality residential care to young people across Ireland. We believe in a child-centred approach rooted in empathy, professionalism, and respect. Join a team where your leadership can make a real difference in the lives of young people and the professionals who support them.

Job Overview:

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Children’s Residential -Social Care Unit Manager to lead a dedicated team within one of our residential homes. You’ll oversee all aspects of care delivery, team management, compliance, and strategic implementation, ensuring that our house is a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for young people. You will report to the Regional Manager.

Why Join Us as a Children’s Residential -Social Care Unit Manager:

• Competitive Salary
• Flexible Rostering focused on work-life balance
• Core Professional Training in essential subjects
• Team-Building Activities & Social Events
• Education Assistance Grants
• Health Insurance Grant & Life Insurance
• Incremental Pay Scale
• Pension Contribution Match
• Employee Assistance Program for Employees and Family from Day 1

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure care meets company standards and national regulations
• Maintain a homely, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment
• Supervise Social Care Leaders, Workers, and relief staff
• Lead team motivation, training, and performance management
• Manage house budget and resource allocation effectively
• Support referral management and report writing
• Promote compliance with TUSLA inspection standards
• Maintain positive relationships with external stakeholders (e.g., TUSLA, Gardaí, CAMHS)
• Participate in the 24-hour on-call rota
• Promote a culture of transparency through whistleblowing and safeguarding
• Drive new service development and contribute to company growth

Professional Background:

• The centre manager must have minimum QQI level 7 qualification in social care and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting and 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification.
• Alternatively, the manager may hold a QQI level 8 qualification in social care with 3 years’ post qualification work experience in a children’s residential care setting. Or Alternatively hold a relevant qualification with 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification.
• A professional qualification in Social Work is also considered as suitable, for a centre manager with the requisite 4 years post qualification practice experience and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting.
• Be on the CORU register of Social Care Workers, with 4 years' full-time experience, even without a formally recognised qualification
• Recognised social care qualifications may include equivalents from other jurisdictions.

Educational Requirements:

A minimum Level 7 qualification in Social Care or a relevant and related field that meets the criteria to be registered as a Social Care Worker with CORU.

Relevant alternative qualifications include:

QQI Level 8 in Psychology; QQI Level 7 or Professional Practice Qualification in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, Counselling/Psychotherapy, or Addiction Counselling; QQI Level 7 in Youth and Community (or similar), Social Science/Social Studies, Family Support, Disability Studies, Applied Behavioural Analysis, or Early Years Care (where the centre caters for children under 12); Professional Qualification in Teaching (excluding TEFL) or Nursing Studies; BA in Applied Policing or equivalent; Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (Irish Prison Service) or equivalent; or CORU registration as a Social Care Worker in the absence of a relevant qualification

Required Criteria:

• CORU registration
• Full, clean manual driving licence (valid in Ireland)
• Right to work and live in Ireland
• Familiarity with team dynamics and Irish National Standards
• Full Garda vetting and police clearance for international residency
• Deep knowledge of childcare legislation and best practices
• Conflict resolution and crisis management skills

About The Role

When you work with Odyssey Social Care, you’re part of a dedicated team that’s as supportive to each other as we are to the young people in our care. Because we know that our success depends on yours, you’ll get continuous on the job training through our network of certified trainers. Quite simply, our supportive, adaptive and flexible approach is designed to give you the best opportunities to progress through the company and further your social care career.

Required Criteria

• Right to work and live in Ireland
• Full, clean manual driving licence (valid in Ireland
• The centre manager must have minimum QQI level 7 qualification in social care and hold or be enrolled in a programme leading to a management qualification suitable for a health or social care setting and 4 years’ full time work experience in a children’s residential care setting post qualification
• Familiarity with team dynamics and Irish National Standards
• Deep knowledge of childcare legislation and best practices

Skills Needed

About The Company

Overview

Mission: Odyssey Social Care provides safe homes where children and young people can heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and discover their own strengths. We give them the support and opportunities they need to build resilience and step into a brighter future.

Working for Odyssey Social Care involves being part of a team (led by CEO Stacey McGrath, above) dedicated to supporting children and young people.

As professional caregivers, we are caring, compassionate and resilient. We work with children who have experienced trauma, and believe in healing through trusting care relationships.

The Odyssey Way

We put the needs of the child at the forefront of everything we do. Our care framework is designed to be flexible, responsive and provide holistic care to our young people.

Our care model, The Odyssey Way, is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and outcome-led. It supports the needs of each individual child, helping them to work through trauma by focusing on overall wellbeing.

Our unique, specialised intervention, the Odyssey Saoirse Project, uses eco-therapy, adventure-based life skills and positive mentoring to help young people heal, grow and thrive.

Company Culture

Our Values

• Safety – safe homes, safe care, safe relationships

• Quality – trauma-informed, evidence-based, outcome-led

• Trust – built through honest communication and consistency

• Empowerment – giving young people and staff the tools to succeed

• Inclusion – equity and belonging for all

• Impact – measurable difference for young people, staff, communities & planet

Accessibility & Sustainability

Odyssey Social Care is committed to encouraging a culture of diversity and inclusion across our organisation.

As a Certified B Corp, we also believe in providing care sustainably, measuring our impact across our people, our communities, and the planet.

Company Benefits

On joining Odyssey, you’ll be supported every step of the way.

Competitive salary & incremental pay progression

Flexible rostering that supports work-life balance

Accredited training & continuous development

Education assistance grants

Health & life insurance supports

Social events & wellbeing supports

Real career progression – 80%+ of our leaders Have grown from within

We believe in caring for our staff with the same commitment we bring to the young people in our homes.

For more details, visit About Us

Flexible schedule, Employee development programs, A diversity program, Cycle to work, Referral bonus, Company retreats, Life insurance, Employee Assistance Scheme, Social Opportunities, Culture of recognition, On the job learning, Long service awards

Salary

€56,160.00 - €60,320.00 per year