Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Naoise Pye, Social Care Worker
After completing the Leaving Cert, Naoise completed a 1 year course in Early Childhood and Education. She then went to Carlow College and completed a BA Degree in Applied Social Studies and Social Care. Now working in a residential unit in St Michael's House, she works to enhance, develop and support goals for people with an Intellectual disability.
Videos on the Web
- Social Care Worker - Residential & Community- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Working Life
Social care workers plan and provide professional individual or group care to clients with personal and social needs. Client groups are varied and include children and adolescents in residential care; young people in detention schools; people with intellectual or physical disabilities; people who are homeless; people with alcohol/drug dependency; families in the community; or older people.
Social care workers strive to support, protect, guide and advocate on behalf of clients. Social care work is based on interpersonal relationships which require empathy, strong communication skills, self awareness and an ability to use critical reflection. Teamwork and interdisciplinary work are also important in social care practice.
The core principles underpinning social care work are similar to those of other helping professions, and they include respect for the dignity of clients; social justice; and empowerment of clients to achieve their full potential. Social care practice differs from social work practice in that it uses shared life-space opportunities to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of clients. Social care work uses strengths-based, needs-led approaches to mediate clients’ presenting problems.
Social care workers are trained, inter alia, in life span development, parenting, attachment & loss, interpersonal communication and behaviour management. Their training equips them to optimise the personal and social development of those with whom they work. In Ireland, the recognised qualification is a 3-year Level 7 degree. In Europe, social care work is usually referred to as social pedagogy and social care workers as social pedagogues.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
- Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
- Utilise consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
- Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
- Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
- Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.
- Organise support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
Further Information
- Residential Support Worker- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Social Care Worker - Residential & Community
You must have a caring nature and enjoy working with people. Patience, compassion, tact and a sense of humour are vital qualities, especially if you work with people who do not like to admit that they need help.
You must have a caring nature and enjoy working with people. Patience, compassion, tact and a sense of humour are vital qualities, especially if you work with people who do not like to admit that they need help.
You must understand that every resident has the right to keep as much independence as they can. You will need to treat each resident as an individual, with different physical and emotional needs.
It demands a lot of stamina as shifts can be long working both at night and over weekends. Hours can also be flexible.
You should be able to talk and listen to people from all backgrounds. You will need to be discreet, and able to ease people's embarrassment when you help them with personal tasks such as washing or using the toilet. You must be able to give help and support with resident's concerns or emotional problems.
Interests - Social Care Worker - Residential & Community
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Entry / Progression - Social Care Worker - Residential & Community
CORU Requirements
There are a variety of study routes for students wishing to pursue a career in the health and social care professions. However, not all courses lead to the direct path of being able to practise in Ireland once qualified. In Ireland, if you want to practise as a Social Care Worker - Residential & Community, you must be registered with CORU, - Ireland's regulator of health and social care professionals.
One of the functions of the Registration Boards at CORU is to approve and monitor education and training programmes. The purpose of regulating education and training programmes is to ensure that all graduates entering the Register meet the necessary standards and have the knowledge and skills required for public protection. This ensures the delivery of safe and effective practise to the benefit of the service user.
What does this mean when selecting a course to study in Ireland?
This is the current list of Approved Qualifications to work as a Social Care Worker - Residential & Community. If you achieve one of these qualifications, you are eligible to apply for CORU registration.
What about studying abroad, and practising in Ireland once qualified?
If your professional qualification is awarded outside of Ireland and you want to register and work in Ireland, the process is a little more complex. You must first apply to have that qualification recognised by the Registration Board for your profession.
To be eligible to apply for recognition of your international qualification, you must have completed professional training, which gives you eligibility to practise your profession in the country where you were awarded the qualification.
The Registration Board will assess your qualification as well as any other relevant qualifications and work experience for compliance with the standards required for practising in Ireland.
If you are unsure about health and social care regulation, CORU is happy to help with any questions. You can contact CORU at [email protected]
There are a number of routes to becoming a qualified Social Care Worker in Ireland. All candidates must also satisfy certain standards of personal suitability for the work, this will involve Garda vetting and professional application via CORU for social care roles. The professional qualification required is usually the 3 year Level 7 Degree in Social Care Practice. Many qualified practitioners go on to complete an honours degree (level 8) in the field. Some may progress to postgraduate qualifications.
CORU Social Care Work All candidates must also satisfy certain standards of personal suitability for the work for the register when it opens in November 2023 CORU Schedule 3 Occupations & Qualifications.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: social care, youthwork.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: community, social care, health and social care applied, social and community care, social care, counselling skills, social care with psychology, social studies, community care.
Search for PLC Courses
Conversion programmes - people currently employed in the social care sector holding any of the previously accepted qualifications, and job seekers who have more recently completed some of the associated qualifications who are interested in entering the social care sector or continuing their careers in the sector, may now find that they are restricted by the requirement to possess a specific social care qualification.
A number of one year “conversion” programmes offering the opportunity to obtain a qualification in applied social studies in social care are available. These are designed for jobseekers that already possess experience and/or similar qualifications in the social care field and wish to further develop their career in this chosen specialty. A B.A. In social care is now required for entry as a social care worker. Supervised work placement is a crucial element of training.
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: applied social care, applied social studies, professional social care, health and social care, social care, social care practice, social care work.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: child and social care, leadership in therapeutic child and social care, health and social care, advancing health and social care, social care and social justice, quality and safety in healthcare, social care, social care management.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
CORU Registration the requirement for registration of social care workers with CORU will be in place from November 2023. CORU is responsible for the registration of all healthcare professionals in Ireland and has already completed the registration of social workers. registration will mean transparent identification of all social care professionals and will also determine the education, continuous professional development and accountability expectation in the social care sector.
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Social Care Worker - Residential & Community
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €33k - €72k
Salaries vary by employer state or private, location, experience, role, shift pattern, and duties.
Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Excel
Last Updated: July, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Social Care Worker - Residential & Community
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Social workers; Probation officers; Clergy; Welfare professionals n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment growth for this occupation was slightly below average, with employment declining slightly between 2021 and 2022. The share of non-Irish citizens at 29% is higher than the national average. A small number of new employment permits were issued in 2022 for social workers. Approximately 1,300 awards were made in 2021 at level 8 or higher in the broad social work field.
A report in 2022 by the Irish Association of Social Workers identified retention of social workers to be a key issue, particularly in areas of child protection and adult safeguarding. Despite issues with recruitment and retention of suitably qualified social workers remaining, the data does not currently point to a shortage.
Useful Contacts - Social Care Worker - Residential & Community
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Public Appointments Service
- Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
- (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Irish Association of Social Care Workers
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Health Service Executive (HSE)
- Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
- 041 685 0300
- Click Here
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CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals
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Social Care Ireland
- Office BR105, Bradogue House, DIT, Grangegorman, Dublin, 7
- (087) 7463926
- [email protected]
- Click Here
