Residential Care Manager

Residential Care Manager

Location: Meath / Louth
Reports to: Director of Services

Role Purpose

The Residential Care Manager will have overall responsibility for the effective leadership and management of a Childrens Residential Care Centre ensuring the provision of a safe nurturing and stable environment for young people in care. The role requires strong regulatory knowledge people leadership capability and a child-centred approach aligned with best practice and statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Care Delivery

• Create maintain and promote a safe caring and stable environment for young people within the centre
  

• Lead the delivery of high-quality trauma-informed care in line with each young persons individual needs
  

• Ensure care programmes are developed in consultation with social work teams implemented effectively and regularly reviewed
  

• Promote the rights responsibilities and participation of young people within the service
  

• Plan for each young persons future in collaboration with the young person families social workers and relevant agencies
  

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Manage the centre in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991 National Standards for Childrens Residential Centres Children First Guidelines and all relevant legislation
  

• Ensure policies procedures and health & safety documentation are in place understood and adhered to by all staff
  

• Maintain robust child protection safeguarding and incident-reporting procedures
  

• Ensure an effective complaints process is in place and clearly communicated to young people families staff and external stakeholders
  

• Ensure accurate timely and professional record-keeping is maintained and available for inspection by regulatory authorities
  

Care Planning & Service Agreements

• Ensure each young person has an up-to-date care plan and placement plan developed in consultation with the social worker key worker and the young person
  

• Ensure service agreements clearly outline roles responsibilities placement duration review dates and admission/discharge procedures
  

• Monitor and review placement outcomes and ensure appropriate supports are in place
  

People Management & Staffing

• Recruit manage and retain suitably qualified staff to ensure safe and adequate staffing levels at all times
  

• Ensure all staff have valid Garda Vetting references and required qualifications prior to commencing employment
  

• Provide regular supervision support and performance management to staff
  

• Lead motivate and support staff in managing challenging behaviours key working and emotional regulation
  

• Ensure staff training and development needs are identified and addressed
  

• Maintain staff records confidentially in line with employment legislation
  

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee rotas payroll returns and general administrative requirements
  

• Manage centre budgets and ensure young people have access to appropriate funding for clothing activities education and additional supports
  

• Ensure effective systems are in place for financial oversight and accountability
  

On-Call & Emergency Support

• Participate in an on-call rota providing guidance and support to staff outside normal working hours
  

• Be available to respond to emergencies and critical incidents as required
  

Facilities & Health & Safety

• Ensure the centre furnishings equipment and grounds are maintained to a high standard
  

• Ensure compliance with fire safety health and safety legislation and risk-management procedures
  

• Regularly review practices impacting the safety and welfare of staff and young people
  

Candidate Profile (Essential)

• Relevant qualification in Social Care Social Work Youth Work or a related discipline (CORU registration where applicable)
  

• Significant experience in childrens residential care including management or senior leadership level
  

• Strong knowledge of Irish childcare legislation and regulatory standards
  

• Proven people-management and leadership capability
  

• Excellent organisational communication and decision-making skills
  

• Full driving licence
  

Desirable

• Experience managing centre openings or service development
  

• Experience working with Tusla and external regulatory bodies
  

• Postgraduate qualification in management or leadership
  

Additional Information

This role requires flexibility resilience and a strong commitment to safeguarding and best practice. The duties outlined above are not exhaustive and may be reviewed in line with service needs.