Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
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
In the HSE Social Care Workers are part of a clinical workforce called Health & Social Care Professionals, who work together with medical and nursing colleagues as a team in the delivery of clinical, therapeutic and social care.
Social Care workers help and support people who, perhaps because of their age, a physical or mental health problem or a severe learning difficulty, need support with day-to-day tasks on their own in residential and community settings.
Social Care Workers plan and provide professional care to vulnerable individuals and groups of all ages who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs. As well as protecting and advocating for such individuals and groups, Social Care Workers professionally guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their fullest potential.
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.
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.
Where Will I Work
Social care workers work in residential and community settings such as residential care homes, nursing homes, detention schools, homeless services, residential treatment centres and disability services.
The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the duties and skills for this occupation can be found here.
Apart from the HSE you may work with Tusla (the Child & Family Agency), in youth detention centres and with private and voluntary organisations providing residential or home care, homeless, disability, addiction and mental health services.
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
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.
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 multiple entry routes to the Social Care Worker profession:
- NFQ Level 7 BA in Social Care
- NFQ Level 7 BA in Applied Social Care
- NFQ Level 8 BA in Social Care Practice
- NFQ Level 8 BA in Social Care
- NFQ Level 8 BA in Applied Social Care
Social Care Workers are required to be registered with CORU, the regulatory body for Health and Social Care Professionals.
Click here for Information on Approved Qualifications and Registration with CORU.
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 CORU register officially opened on 30 November 2023, initiating a two-year transitional period during which existing practitioners can apply for registration with 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: applied social care, applied social studies, professional social care, health and social care, social care, social care practice, social care work, youth work.
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: applied social care, applied social studies, professional social care, health and social care, social care, social care practice, social care work, youth work.
Search for PLC Courses
If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Psychology & Social Care sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required.
Search Progression Routes
Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level may require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.
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
Mature Entry
All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry. Mature entry route is based on applying for a course via www.cao.ie by 1st February. Applicants may be required to sit an assessment test or attend an interview.
Places are limited and mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the programme and will also be assessed based on each Colleges [RPL] Recognition of prior learning.
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, social care leadership & management, leadership in therapeutic child & social care, health and social care, health science social care research, social care and social justice, quality and safety health & social care, social care management.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Career/ 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.
In the HSE you could progress your career as a Social Care Leader or a Social Care Manager.
Further information on clinical, management and educational pathways for career progression in the HSE is available here.
The HSCP Office is responsible for Leadership, Education and Continuing Professional Development of HSCPs working the the HSE. There are many ways of deepening your skills pertinent to your role as a Radiographer within a specific setting. This can be achieved, for example, through postgraduate training or clinical courses.
HSeLanD the Irish Health Services's online learning and development portal offers an array of training and development opportunities delivered either online or in a classroom setting.
Apart from the HSE you may work in senior and managerial roles in community and social care settings. With further study you may progress to careers in education, social work, probation & criminal justice, humanitarian work, social policy, advocacy, research, psychology and counselling.
Further information available from Social Care Ireland.
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 (2024).
The strong employment growth rate for this occupation masks a fall in employment levels in 2021 and 2022; employment grew in 2023, returning to 2021 levels. A small number of employment permits were issued for social workers in 2023. Issues with recruitment and retention of social workers have been identified, particularly in key areas such as child protection and adult safeguarding but the data does not currently point to a shortage. The embargo on recruitment in the HSE until mid-2024 is likely to have subdued recruitment of these occupations.
There were over 1,400 awards made in 2022 at level 8 or higher in the broad social work field and it is expected that in the medium term two new pathways to careers in social work, launched in summer 2024 (new apprenticeship leading to a level 9 qualification and a tertiary degree (Bachelor of Social Work)) will alleviate some of the current difficulties in recruiting social workers.
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
