Day Centre Manager - East Clare (Killaloe)

Day Centre Manager - East Clare (Killaloe)

Date closes: 09 October 2026

Clarecare is a professional accredited social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of person-centred social services to individuals and families in County Clare for over 55 years. Current services include Family Support, Older Person Services and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre. Clarecare’s headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon.

Our Mission: to provide person-centred services to individuals and families within our communities.

Our Vision: to be the trusted quality care provider within our communities by supporting individuals and families to reach their full potential.

Our Core Values: Collaborate • Accountability • Respect • Empathy • Trust

JOB DESCRIPTION

Day Centre Manager – East Clare (Killaloe)

Role

Responsible for the day-to-day operation of Clarecare’s Day Centre Service for Older Persons in East Clare (circa 20+ attendees), including meals provision, social activities and recruitment of attendees. The Manager will be hands-on and lead a Day Centre Team of up to 10 staff and volunteers.

Reporting to

Operations Manager for Day Care Centres (or Clarecare designate), as part of the wider Older Persons Services Team.

Contract - Full-time, permanent.

Location - On-site at Clarecare’s Killaloe office, Co. Clare (remote/hybrid working does not apply). Location may change based on operational requirements.

Days / Hours - 5 days per week, Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. inclusive of a 30-minute paid break. Flexibility is required as days/hours (start and finish times) are subject to change.

Annual Leave - 26 days per full leave year (Jan–Dec), excluding Public Holidays.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

General Responsibilities

Report to the Operations Manager - Day Care Centres (or delegate) and attend supervision sessions with your line manager.

Adhere to all Clarecare policies and procedures; maintain files and records to Clarecare standards and complete statistics/reports as required.

Work as part of the wider Clarecare structure, supporting staff, volunteers, students and others, and maintain professional boundaries with clients.

Act as a key holder and perform other duties appropriate to the role as assigned by your Line Manager or designate.

Specific Responsibilities

Client care: Promote and deliver best-practice, person-centred care that is community-focused, quality-oriented and safe; respect the rights, dignity and confidentiality of clients and their carers/advocates; and enhance clients’ self-esteem and quality of life.

Team leadership: Manage, co-ordinate and support all staff and volunteers, ensuring role clarity, allocation of duties, adequate staff–client ratios and leave arrangements. Resolve people-management issues (e.g. recruitment, performance, disciplinary, grievance) in liaison with HR, and hold regular team meetings to ensure safe service delivery.

Student placements: Assist with work-experience placements, including induction, ongoing supervision and related documentation.

Client recruitment and promotion: Source and grow attendance (up to 20 persons per day), identifying new clients with the Social Worker for Older People, Home Help Co-ordinator and third parties (e.g. GPs, PHNs). Promote the service through flyers to GP surgeries, dentists, churches, post offices, local shops, etc.

Meals, transport and clinics: Oversee high-quality meals in line with food safety standards (HACCP); liaise with the bus service to ensure efficient client transport; arrange weekly clinics (e.g. hairdresser, chiropody) and administer and document payments.

Activities and events: Plan activities, entertainment and celebrations (e.g. music, arts & crafts, bingo) and informative events (e.g. first aid, fire prevention, home safety, budgeting advice, health & wellbeing), encouraging active participation while safeguarding client wellbeing.

Family liaison and client welfare: Welcome visitors; provide feedback and phone support to family carers; escalate nursing concerns to family/PHN/GP as appropriate; and manage accidents, incidents, feedback and complaints in line with policy, reporting to the Operations Manager and HR where relevant.

Health and safety: Ensure all Health & Safety regulations are implemented and adhered to, carrying out risk assessments and ensuring controls/actions are in place.

Finance and administration: Operate the Day Centre within the agreed budget, monitoring expenditure and maintaining financial controls in consultation with the Operations Manager. Prepare monthly KPI returns and maintain efficient administrative, recording and accounting systems. Keep client records and payments up to date and secure in line with Data Management processes. Participate in the daily reconciliation of thrift shop cash takings.

Quality and feedback: Arrange quarterly focus groups in line with other centres and conduct client satisfaction surveys as relevant.

Killaloe Centre operations: Support the smooth day-to-day running of the overall Clarecare’s Killaloe Centre facility in conjunction with relevant Managers, departments and staff; answer calls and enquiries (via phone or in person from members of the public) in a professional, friendly manner; and manage room bookings & scheduling room bookings for the Clarecare Killaloe facility.

Meetings and training: Attend relevant meetings and all mandatory training, and undertake any other relevant duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION

Essential Requirements

Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience leading and motivating a team (of 10+) within a Healthcare/Social Care setting for vulnerable adults, or similar role; AND

The requisite education, managerial and administrative knowledge and capacity, medical fitness and good character to properly discharge the duties of this position.

Experience of organising social activities/entertainment for groups, and a genuine interest in the issues facing older people with an empathetic understanding of vulnerable people.

Experience of supporting staff and volunteers and effectively resolving any issues that may arise.

Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills; able to work on own initiative and as part of a team, and to build effective relationships internally and externally, including networking with service providers, health professionals and referral sources (e.g. PHNs, GPs).

Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Email, PowerPoint, Canva).

Ability to plan, prioritise and work efficiently; generate and act on new ideas; and be flexible and adaptable in working with clients.

Consistently high standards of behaviour and performance, exercising discretion, maintaining confidentiality, professional boundaries and accurate client records, and representing the service appropriately to safeguard Clarecare’s integrity and reputation.

Commitment to continuing professional development in Gerontology/Older Persons Services and attending training as appropriate.

Pre-employment: A positive ‘fit to work’ medical through Clarecare; a positive Garda Vetting disclosure through Clarecare; two positive employment references from current/most recent employers; and a full clean driving licence with indemnity to Clarecare on your private motor insurance policy.

Desirable

• Minimum Level 7 Degree in Social Care, Social Studies, a Healthcare-related field or equivalent; FETAC Level 5 in Care of the Older Person and/or Care Skills; HACCP trained.
• Knowledge of the work and ethos of Clarecare, and of One Touch, Viclarity and Smart Office AP software.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience and available on request from HR on 086 – 4161520.
• Benefits include:
• 26 days’ annual leave per annum, excluding Public Holidays; payroll deduction facility for Health Insurance; Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI and to Clarecare’s Wellness Programmes.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of probation (6 months duration). My Future Fund Pension Membership on commencement of employment until successful completion of probation (mandatory).
• Access to Clarecare’s Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (6 months duration).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

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