Social Care Manager - Job Opportunity at Care Ireland

Dublin, Ireland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 8, 2025
On-site
EUR 63,000-75,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive company pension scheme providing long-term financial security and competitive retirement planning
Flexible working arrangements enabling work-life balance optimization and personal schedule management
Daily food allowance supporting employee wellness and reducing personal expenses
Private medical insurance offering premium healthcare coverage and priority medical access
Comprehensive relocation assistance package facilitating seamless geographic transitions and career mobility

Key Responsibilities

Drive organizational excellence through strategic leadership of multidisciplinary social care teams, fostering inclusive culture and professional development pathways that directly impact service quality and staff retention
Implement comprehensive safeguarding frameworks and child protection protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance while building collaborative partnerships with statutory agencies and legal representatives
Orchestrate complex facility operations including budget management, resource optimization, and regulatory compliance, directly impacting organizational sustainability and service delivery standards
Design and execute innovative integration programs that bridge educational, social, and cultural gaps for vulnerable populations, creating measurable outcomes in resident development and community participation
Establish strategic stakeholder relationships with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations while advocating for policy changes that advance the rights and welfare of unaccompanied minors at national levels

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work or Social Care or alternative recognised qualification

Experience

Minimum of 3 years full time work experience in a children's residential care centre or 3 years Social Work Practice

Required Skills

Excellent leadership and team management skills Strong communication and interpersonal skills Crisis management and problem-solving abilities Fluency in English with additional languages being an asset Ability to work under pressure and adapt to a fast-changing environment Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds and handle sensitive situations with empathy Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and establish trust with diverse clients Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively

Certifications

Professional accreditation or registration with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., CORU in Ireland)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The social care sector in Ireland is experiencing unprecedented demand due to increasing numbers of unaccompanied minors and young refugees requiring specialized residential support services, driven by global migration patterns and European refugee policies. This trend is creating sustained pressure on service providers to expand capacity while maintaining quality standards. Digital transformation in social care management is revolutionizing how residential facilities manage case documentation, compliance reporting, and inter-agency communication, with increased emphasis on data-driven decision making and outcome measurement systems. There is a significant shift towards trauma-informed care approaches and culturally responsive service delivery models, particularly for refugee populations, requiring managers to develop expertise in cross-cultural competency and specialized therapeutic interventions.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of EUR 63,000-75,000 is competitive within the Irish social care management sector, positioning slightly above average for residential care managers but reflecting the specialized nature of refugee and care-leaving support services. This compensation level aligns with HSE pay scales for equivalent positions and accounts for the on-call responsibilities and complex stakeholder management requirements.

Role Significance

Typically manages 8-15 direct care staff including social care workers, support workers, and administrative personnel, with indirect oversight of external contractors and service providers supporting facility operations.
This is a senior operational management position with significant autonomy and accountability for facility compliance, staff leadership, and resident welfare outcomes. The role carries substantial regulatory responsibility and requires independent decision-making in complex safeguarding situations while managing multiple stakeholder relationships.

Key Projects

Implementation of new resident intake and assessment protocols Development of cultural competency training programs for staff Coordination of multi-agency case planning and review processes Establishment of community integration partnerships with local schools and organizations

Success Factors

Exceptional crisis intervention skills and ability to make sound decisions under pressure while maintaining regulatory compliance and resident safety Cultural competency and multilingual communication abilities to effectively serve diverse refugee populations and build trust across cultural boundaries Strong financial acumen and budget management capabilities to optimize resource allocation while maintaining service quality standards Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with statutory agencies, legal representatives, and community partners

Market Demand

High demand driven by regulatory requirements for qualified managers, limited pool of candidates with specific refugee/care-leaving experience, and ongoing expansion of residential care facilities to meet statutory obligations for unaccompanied minors.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Child protection and safeguarding expertise is absolutely essential given the vulnerable populations served and the regulatory oversight requirements, with any deficiencies potentially resulting in serious harm to residents and regulatory sanctions Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse backgrounds is fundamental to effective service delivery for refugee populations who may have experienced trauma and face language and cultural barriers to integration Crisis management capabilities are vital given the unpredictable nature of residential care work and the complex needs of the young people served, requiring immediate and effective responses to emergency situations

Beneficial Skills

Additional language skills, particularly those spoken by refugee communities, significantly enhance communication effectiveness and cultural responsiveness of service delivery Previous experience in refugee services or international protection processes provides valuable context for understanding the legal and procedural complexities affecting residents Advanced qualifications in trauma-informed care or therapeutic interventions would enhance ability to address the complex psychological needs of care-experienced and refugee young people

Unique Aspects

Dual specialization in both care-leaving support and refugee services creates unique professional development opportunities and expertise in two high-need areas of social care
Direct involvement in advocacy work at local and national levels provides platform for policy influence and systemic change beyond direct service delivery
International protection procedures knowledge requirement indicates exposure to complex legal frameworks and immigration processes not typically found in standard residential care roles
On-call responsibilities and emergency response requirements demonstrate the critical nature of the role and need for 24/7 availability

Career Growth

Progression to senior regional roles typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated success in facility management, regulatory compliance, and team leadership

Potential Next Roles

Regional Manager or Director of Services overseeing multiple residential facilities Policy Development and Implementation roles within government agencies or larger NGOs Independent consultancy specializing in refugee services or residential care compliance

Company Overview

Care Ireland

Care Ireland operates as a specialized residential social care provider focusing on vulnerable young populations including those in state care, care leavers, and young refugees. The organization fills a critical gap in Ireland's social care infrastructure by providing specialized accommodation and support services for some of the most vulnerable young people in the system.

Positioned as a niche player in the competitive Irish social care market, likely operating under HSE contracts and government funding arrangements while competing with larger established providers and smaller specialized organizations for service contracts.
Dublin-based operations place the role at the center of Ireland's largest metropolitan area where the majority of refugee and care services are concentrated, providing access to extensive professional networks and interagency collaboration opportunities.
Mission-driven environment emphasizing social justice and advocacy, with high professional standards and commitment to continuous improvement in service delivery, likely characterized by collaborative teamwork and shared commitment to vulnerable population outcomes.
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