Respite Support Worker

Overall Purpose of the Post:

To provide respite to families of children with disabilities. The respite support service will be coordinated by the PIC, who will prioritise families to be involved in the service and agree with each family the type and level of support to be provided. The Respite Support Worker will be supervised by and work closely with the PIC. In order to provide a flexible respite support service, the Respite Support Worker will be required to do sleepovers and work during evenings and weekends.

Duties

• Help create an atmosphere that is inclusive and promotes each child’s participation in terms of choice and decision-making, enabling each child to reach their highest level of independence.
• Provide assistance to service users in areas of personal care.
• Be familiar with the health and medical needs of each individual and ensure that these needs are met.
• Assist in implementing agreed programmes of care for each child, ensuring that each individual's varying needs are met in a way that promotes dignity and respect.
• Accompany service users on outings and leisure activities within their own neighbourhood or the wider community.
• Provide parents/carers with time to pursue their own needs or spend time with other family members.
• Work with service users and families as agreed with the PIC. As family needs change over time, work closely with the PIC to ensure that the respite support service continues to meet those changing needs.
• Become familiar with all Enable Ireland Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures and, under the direction of the PIC, ensure their implementation.
• Work in accordance with Enable Ireland’s Code of Practice, Guidelines for Working with Children and Families, and other relevant national policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Report and record any incident, however minor.
• Assist in the administration of medication where applicable.
• Ensure that all records and technical data are up to date and available.
• Ensure strict compliance with health and safety standards.
• In agreement with the PIC, liaise with other relevant personnel in relation to individual service users and families.
• Take part in induction training and any other in-service training relevant to the position.
• Work with service users in a range of settings, including the service, the service user's home, and community settings. At all times, the Support Worker will be responsible for the safety and welfare of the service user in their care.
• Display appropriate sensitivity while working closely with families.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion in all dealings with service users, their families, and staff.
• Keep the PIC informed of all important issues affecting service users or their families.
• Carry out any other duties assigned from time to time.

To minimise exposure to breaches of GDPR, strict compliance is required while carrying out the duties of this role and working with others. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with Enable Ireland’s GDPR Policies and Procedures, attending all GDPR training sessions, and taking personal responsibility for implementing the required safeguards and measures.

Terms & Conditions

Responsible to: Person in Charge (PIC)

Probation: A probationary period of six months applies, during which three probationary meetings will take place to review your performance and suitability for appointment. The probationary period may be extended or terminated for any reason at Enable Ireland’s discretion.

Salary: The current salary scale for this post is €35,070 to €42,440 pro rata per annum.

This pay scale is subject to increases in 2026 in accordance with the recent WRC agreement towards enhanced pay adjustments in Section 39 organisations.

Annual Leave: Annual leave entitlement is 30 days pro rata per annum, with proportionately less leave for employees with less than 12 months of service.

Pension Scheme: Enable Ireland operates a contributory pension scheme, which all staff may join following their start date.

Medical: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical assessment.

Garda Clearance / Police Clearance: Garda Clearance or Police Clearance is required for all prospective employees who will undertake relevant work or activities relating to children or vulnerable persons.

Sick Pay (if applicable): All periods of sickness exceeding two days must be medically certified. Weekly medical certificates are required thereafter. The Company reserves the right to have you examined by its own doctor after three months of continuous sick leave.

Upon completion of six months of continuous service with the Company, sick pay will be as follows:

• Full pay less social welfare for the first 13 weeks of sickness in any 12-month rolling period.
• Half pay less social welfare for a further 13 weeks of sickness absence within the same 12-month rolling period.

Redeployment: In exceptional circumstances, the organisation reserves the right to redeploy you to an alternative role that is suitable to your skills and experience.