The field of child care is rapidly changing and adapting to meet the increasingly complex needs of children and young people both in Ireland, and coming to Ireland as SCSIP (Separated Children Seeking International Protection). Working within this setting today is still a vocation, but it requires more than a compassionate heart and dedication. It demands specialised skills, the highest levels of training, resilience and a willingness to embrace new approaches that support the therapeutic, emotional and physical needs of a child or young person.
At Ashdale Care, we work hard to stay at the front of this evolution by helping our team members grow in these roles. We encourage every person on our team to become as well-equipped as possible to impact on young lives both positively and permanently.
New Demands on Residential Social Care Workers
In the past, the main focus of residential social care workers was to care for children, giving them a safe environment and providing consistent support. Research has deepened our understanding of childhood trauma and mental health in recent times. While providing support and a safe environment are of utmost importance still, it is now a much more complex form of caregiving as more specialised therapeutic approaches have become part of that care.
Today, residential social care workers are expected to:
- Apply trauma-informed practises that acknowledge and address the impacts of any childhood adversity
- Manage complex emotional and behavioural challenges with patience, empathy and insight
- Help to create individualised support plans for each child’s specific needs
- Work closely with interdisciplinary teams such as psychologists, therapists, art therapists, behaviour therapists and occupational therapists to provide the most holistic care possible
These expanded responsibilities have, of course, made the role more challenging, but also profoundly rewarding. Residential social care workers are now equipped with the tools and training to help children build emotional resilience, develop healthy attachments and also lay the foundations for a brighter future.
The (Positive) Impact
The impact and outcomes are what drive us to do what we do. They are our North Star and our true measure of success. For children and young people in our care, the presence of a skilled, compassionate, caring professional can be completely life changing. Every day, our brilliant staff at Ashdale create safe, nurturing spaces where children feel understood, valued and empowered.
Residential Social Care Workers are imperative to providing the care and support children and young people need to heal from trauma in order to rebuild their lives. Through thoughtful and individualised care they help children to develop coping strategies, regulate their emotions and grow and develop their own strengths. They create a sense of stability and security that is essential to children’s long term healing.
Stories from our own staff often show how transformative those connections are. From helping a child find their voice to seeing them make friends for the first time, residential social care workers are shaping the lives of children in both immediate and lasting ways.
Looking Toward the Future
As we have spoken about above, lots of changes have happened. This means that there is and will continue to be a shift in residential care practices. At Ashdale Care, we are dedicated to staying up to date and at the cutting edge of these changes. We integrate new research into our training, we work with leaders in the industry such as Cornell University and we continually adopt the most innovative approaches to care, while always putting the child first.
As this need for complex care grows, so does our understanding and expertise in psychological,social and emotional needs of young people and children. While we are extremely child-centric in our approach, we also put our focus on making sure our team has the resources and skills to address these complexities. This includes training in trauma-informed care, continuous communication and support, and encouragement to engage in extra training and education. We are incredibly proud of our community at Ashdale Care, and when the opportunity arises for any member of our team to grow and develop, we are the first to cheer them on. We see this as essential for success in today’s residential care landscape.
For social care workers and anyone else in related fields, joining residential care means joining a dynamic, evolving and exciting profession that is capable of profound impact. It is an opportunity to be part of an organisation that prioritises a completely holistic and child-centred approach to care. At Ashdale, this entails embracing growth and innovation to deliver the highest standards of therapeutic care.
Why Choose Ashdale
Ashdale Care is proud to be a leader in specialised therapeutic residential child care. We are proud to support our team members with an environment that values development and provides the resources for meaningful growth. We develop initiatives that enable career progression such as the Ashdale Care Leadership Academy. We want every person at Ashdale Care to be inspired to grow, and given the opportunity to do so. We are confident in our ability to provide the tools and training to help you navigate your role with confidence, and have a supportive and engaging culture that supports continuous learning and celebrates every achievement.
Choosing a career with us means joining an organisation that believes in the transformative power of its people. With a commitment to individual and team development, collaborative and interdisciplinary team work and comprehensive support systems, Ashdale Care is the ideal place for professionals who are ready to make a difference. With us, you will find the encouragement and training to develop your skills, the resources you need to progress your career and the ability to see the positive impact of your work every single day.
Join Ashdale Care and Positively Transform Lives
Working in residential child care is more than just a career, it’s a calling. If you are motivated, eager, compassionate, kind, warm and ready to create change, we would love for you to join us at Ashdale Care. Help us to continue to shape the future of residential care and rebuild lives.
See all job opportunities at ashdalecare.com/careers, or email us at info@ashdalecare.com.
