This job expired on 23rd February 2026
Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Social Care
At Odyssey Social Care, we are committed to providing high-quality residential services that support children and young people to thrive. Our homes are safe, welcoming, and tailored to meet individual needs. Every member of our team plays a vital role in helping young people achieve their potential.
About the Role:
As the Deputy Manager, you’ll work closely with the Unit Manager to support day-to-day operations of the home. You’ll help deliver the highest standards of care, supervise staff, and ensure the wellbeing and safety of young people. You’ll take full responsibility in the Manager’s absence, collaborating on all house-related matters while fostering a team culture rooted in compassion, professionalism, and child-centred care. You will report to the Unit Social Care Manager.
Why Join Us as Deputy 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
Employee Assistance Program for Employees and Family from Day 1
Key Responsibilities:
Care & Support
Ensure young people are cared for safely, respectfully, and in accordance with national standards
Provide direct care and participate in the on-call system
Foster a warm, homely environment for residents
Staff Management
Supervise staff as directed by the Manager
Lead the team during Manager’s absence
Monitor external service providers and support quality improvement
Reporting & Administration
Share updates and risk reports with the Manager
Maintain confidentiality and documentation integrity
Assist in scheduling rotas, meetings, and writing reports
Compliance & Culture
Uphold health & safety and whistleblowing policies
Promote open communication and a values-driven workplace
Professional Background:
Minimum 3 years’ experience in social care work with children/young people
Experience working with challenging behaviour
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training or practice preferred
Proven ability to work collaboratively in dynamic team settings
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 required
Full, clean manual driving license (valid in Ireland)
Familiarity with Irish National Standards in Children’s Residential Centres
Minimum 3 years’ experience in social care work with children/young people
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.
What you will need
Required criteria
- Do you have 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.
- Social Care: A minimum of 3 years’ experience working at a social care grade with children/young persons.
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention: Experience working in services where Therapeutic Crisis Intervention is used.
- Challenging Behaviour: Experience working with teenagers with challenging behaviour.
- A full, clean manual driving license valid in Ireland.
- Do you have the right to live and work in Ireland.
- Are you CORU Registered?
Odyssey Social Care
Odyssey Social Care is a children’s residential care provider. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams. We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas. We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.
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.
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.
Our 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
Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Social Care
Odyssey Social Care is a children’s residential care provider. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams. We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas. We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.