JOB DETAILS
Health Care Assistant - Cork
CompanyOrchard Community Care
LocationIreland
Work ModeOn Site
PostedSeptember 2, 2026
About The Company
From fostering to residential and intellectual disability care, we support children and young people with all abilities to achieve their best life experiences.
Orchard Residential Care was established in 2007 and today is a leading provider of children’s residential services operating across numerous locations in Ireland. We offer medium to long-term residential care for young people aged between 8 to 18-years of age. We provide a physically, emotionally and psychologically safe place in which young people can heal, develop and move forward in their lives.
Our care is provided in small-scale residential facilities for family-sized groups – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Orchard Fostering was established in 2008 by social work professionals who had extensive experience working with foster carers and vulnerable children; they adopted a family ethos in running the business knowing all the staff and carers personally and today we are the leading independent fostering agency in Ireland, working in partnership with Tusla to provide children and young people with a positive care experience.
Orchard Fostering recruit, train and support foster carers across Ireland to support children and young people who enter the foster care system in Ireland.
Orchard Community Care was founded in 2015 by a team of social care professionals to provide services to individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism.
At Orchard Community Care, our services support children and adults with significant and complex additional needs. Working with families and the community, we support our service users to build their independence and resilience.
We offer residential care on a respite, shared and fulltime basis depending on the needs of our service users, supported by day and community outreach services. Our services are available across an ever-expanding range of locations.
We cater for the abilities and specific needs of those we care for to ensure they receive the best possible service.
About the Role
About the Role
Our Health Care Assistants are central to our teams in "Building Brighter Futures" for the people we support.As a Health Care Assistant you will be expected to engage in daily activities and routines of the service you are working in, inclusive of direct support to the people we support, as well as administration work and daily household tasks.
The Health Care Assistant is required to work as part of a dedicated and innovative team within Residential Services providing a service to the people we support in line with HIQA regulations & standards.
As we provide specialist services 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, working hours are operated on a rolling roster, shift basis, which include sleep in’s and waking night duty as required.
Due to the nature of the position some flexibility may be required from time to time in relation to hours of work.
Essential Requirements:
- Relevant QQI Level 5 Healthcare qualifications or equivalent
- Minimum of 1 year experience in a similar environment supporting adults or children with intellectual and physical disabilities.
- Knowledge of adults/children with complex needs.
- Full manual drivers licence is mandatory with eligibility to drive in Ireland
- Eligible to live and work in Ireland without restriction
- Assist with the child/adults’ activities and care as assigned by the Manager and as indicated in the person’s integrated Care Plan ensuring the delivery of a high standard of care
- Encourage recognition of the child/adult as an individual ensuring that they and their family’s needs and comforts are given priority.
- To act as an advocate for the child/adult and family ensuring the provision of appropriate information and support.
- Develop social interaction for the people we support individually and in a group setting.
- To be aware of the uses, safety precautions and handling of equipment.
- To participate in all communication processes – team meetings/staff forums/emails.
- Ensure personal care is provided to the people we support when required.
- Maintain and uphold the organisations and the people we support’s confidentiality at all times.
- Flexible and willing to work shifts to meet the needs of the service.
Benefits to working with Company
- Premium Sunday and Bank Holiday rates
- Excellent staffing ratio’s
- Flexible working arrangements
- Comprehensive training, support with further & higher education, including paid training on commencement.
- A clear commitment to your continuous professional and career development as we grow across Ireland.
- Income Protection.
- Orchard Values Award
- Bike to work scheme
- Refer a Friend Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
About us
The Orchard Care Group is dedicated to providing the best possible care, supports and outcomes for children, young people, and adults in Ireland across a range of settings and locations, in fostering, disability and mainstream residential services.
The Group brings together three leading brands in Irish social care – Orchard Residential, Orchard Community Care and Orchard Fostering.
Our Vision at Orchard Care Group is that the people we support live meaningful lives through, our high-quality model of excellent care, within our positive, collaborative, values-based culture. Our Values are Advocacy, Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration & Human Rights.Key Skills
HealthcareResidential careManual handlingAdvocacyCare planningIntellectual disability supportPhysical disability supportComplex needs supportCommunicationTeamworkConfidentialityShift work
Categories
HealthcareSocial ServicesAdministrative
Benefits
Premium Sunday and Bank Holiday ratesExcellent staffing ratiosFlexible working arrangementsComprehensive trainingSupport with further and higher educationPaid trainingIncome ProtectionOrchard Values AwardBike to work schemeRefer a Friend SchemeEmployee Assistance Programme
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Health Care Assistant provides direct support to individuals in residential settings, assisting with daily activities and personal care according to integrated care plans. They also act as an advocate for residents and their families while maintaining a safe, collaborative, and high-standard care environment.
📋Job Type
permanent employee
💰Salary Range
€39,290 - €44,293
📊Experience Level
2-5
💼Company Size
102
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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