Top Benefits
About the role
About The Role Orchard Fostering is an Irish company established in 2008 that provides fostering and supported lodging services to children and young people who are referred to its service by TUSLA. Orchard Fostering is committed to service excellence and ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people in its care. We currently have an opportunity for a Social Work Team Lead to join our team. The post holder will report directly to the Orchard Fostering Principal Social Worker.
Location: We welcome applicants nationwide, though candidates located in Midlands or surrounding areas, West Meath, Galway or Mayo would be most suitable for the role due to travel requirements.
Closing Date for Applications: Friday, 27th March 2026
Purpose Of Post
- To take responsibility for the overall management and leadership of Orchard Fostering support team, ensuring the provision of safe, caring foster placements that offer safe child centred care to a wide range of children and young people.
- To provide support, formal supervision and direction to the fostering support team social workers and ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service to carers and children placed within the service.
- To ensure that the service is compliant with regulations and national standards as well as company policy and procedures.
- To ensure that National Children First Guidelines are implemented throughout the service to ensure the protection of children.
- To motivate and lead the support social work team along with the support senior practitioner to continually improve and develop the service provided, ensuring the promotion and maintenance of excellent relationships with TUSLA and HIQA.
Essential Requirements:
- Must have a professional qualification in social work i.e., CQSW, Masters in Social Work or equivalent qualification validated in the Republic of Ireland.
- Must be registered with CORU.
- Must have valid Garda Clearance.
- Must have valid Overseas Clearance if applicant lived abroad for more than 6 months.
- Must have at least 3 years’ social work experience, previous experience in the foster care field is desirable but not mandatory.
- Must have a clean driver’s license and use of a car.
Main duties:
- To ensure the principal social worker is fully informed of ongoing issues and significant events.
- To ensure the National Standards for Fostering and the Fostering Regulations are adhered to at all times. To work beyond the national standards to offer the best quality foster placements.
- To provide support to the Principal Social Worker (PSW) by taking on additional responsibilities and delegated tasks as agreed.
- To support and assist the PSW in the submission of tenders and contribute to bids for the provision of a fostering service to TUSLA.
- To ensure fair and equitable allocation of foster families to link social workers is planned and monitored in accordance with company policy and procedure.
- To proof read reports (foster care reviews and long-term matches) and attend committee with/in support of presenting social workers and/or with the support senior practitioner.
- To audit and monitor the quality of service to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people by meeting appropriate managers in TUSLA, ensuring all opportunities for collaborative work for the best outcomes for the children placed are discussed with the PSW and Directors.
- To work in collaboration with the Finance director to continually review and agree upon additional payments to foster carers.
- To be responsible for the management and leadership of the support senior practitioner, support link social workers and the support administrator. This includes the provision of monthly supervision, annual appraisal and professional development in line with company policies.
- To conduct regular audits of case files and oversee required actions within prescribed time scales in conjunction with the QA manager.
- To monitor performance of individual team members and take action when necessary to improve performance.
- To ensure carers attend mandatory training and a minimum of two training sessions per year.
- To work in close co-operation with the referrals manager and coordinator to ensure all referral are dealt with through the referral process, in line with carers approval and within the regulations and standards for foster carer.
- To ensure the implementation of escalation policies for training and observation reports.
- To ensure any welfare concern/allegation against foster carers are investigated under the national policy and within the appropriate timeframes.
- Through supervision ensure that all staff have an individual annual training plan that meets the minimum requirements of their CORU registration.
- To build and maintain excellent working relationships with relevant managers in TUSLA for whom we provide a service and identify any problem areas and opportunities for development.
- To promote the Company as the Fostering Service of choice.
- To always work within agreed Policies and Procedures, contributing to their review and giving feedback on their suitability in practice in conjunction with the QA manager.
- To be an effective and enthusiastic member of the Management Team and contribute to the development of the service.
- To attend and/or facilitate all required meetings such as management meetings, business meetings, referral and support team meetings.
- To contribute to the PSW’s monthly report, giving an overview of current issues surrounding area of responsibility.
- To chair team meetings, ensuring accurate and timely minutes are produced with a detailed action plan when required.
- To work with the PSW and QA manager to ensure that all inspections action plans are completed within the required time scales.
- To keep up to date with legislative changes and good practice to ensure our service remains at the cutting edge of fostering services.
- To be responsible for the health and safety management of the office in which you and your staff are based, ensuring compliance with the organisation’s health and safety policy and legislative requirements.
- To ensure that all risks identified are recorded and reported to all relevant people and recorded on our risk spreadsheet and on the management drive.
- To work within the provisions of the Data Protection Act, observing strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of work undertaken.
- To actively participate in supporting the principles and practice of equal opportunities issues in accordance with the company policies and to work positively towards anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice.
- To undertake any other such duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your level of responsibility within the company.
- All employees are required to ensure compliance with the company’s guidance and policy on safeguarding and are required to attend and/or or complete child protection training (Children’s First).
- Participation in the back up on call management rota.
- Travel to meetings etc is required therefore the post holder must hold a full driving licence.
Benefits To Working With Company
- Comprehensive induction process
- Extensive training programme
- On-going mentoring and support
- Competitive salary with increments
- Refer a friend initiative
- Orchard Fostering Employee of the Month
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Internal career progression opportunities
- Bike to work scheme
- Education Assistance grants
About Us The Orchard Care Group is a wholly Irish owned company 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.
About Orchard Care Group Ireland
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.
Similar jobs you might like
Top Benefits
About the role
About The Role Orchard Fostering is an Irish company established in 2008 that provides fostering and supported lodging services to children and young people who are referred to its service by TUSLA. Orchard Fostering is committed to service excellence and ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people in its care. We currently have an opportunity for a Social Work Team Lead to join our team. The post holder will report directly to the Orchard Fostering Principal Social Worker.
Location: We welcome applicants nationwide, though candidates located in Midlands or surrounding areas, West Meath, Galway or Mayo would be most suitable for the role due to travel requirements.
Closing Date for Applications: Friday, 27th March 2026
Purpose Of Post
- To take responsibility for the overall management and leadership of Orchard Fostering support team, ensuring the provision of safe, caring foster placements that offer safe child centred care to a wide range of children and young people.
- To provide support, formal supervision and direction to the fostering support team social workers and ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service to carers and children placed within the service.
- To ensure that the service is compliant with regulations and national standards as well as company policy and procedures.
- To ensure that National Children First Guidelines are implemented throughout the service to ensure the protection of children.
- To motivate and lead the support social work team along with the support senior practitioner to continually improve and develop the service provided, ensuring the promotion and maintenance of excellent relationships with TUSLA and HIQA.
Essential Requirements:
- Must have a professional qualification in social work i.e., CQSW, Masters in Social Work or equivalent qualification validated in the Republic of Ireland.
- Must be registered with CORU.
- Must have valid Garda Clearance.
- Must have valid Overseas Clearance if applicant lived abroad for more than 6 months.
- Must have at least 3 years’ social work experience, previous experience in the foster care field is desirable but not mandatory.
- Must have a clean driver’s license and use of a car.
Main duties:
- To ensure the principal social worker is fully informed of ongoing issues and significant events.
- To ensure the National Standards for Fostering and the Fostering Regulations are adhered to at all times. To work beyond the national standards to offer the best quality foster placements.
- To provide support to the Principal Social Worker (PSW) by taking on additional responsibilities and delegated tasks as agreed.
- To support and assist the PSW in the submission of tenders and contribute to bids for the provision of a fostering service to TUSLA.
- To ensure fair and equitable allocation of foster families to link social workers is planned and monitored in accordance with company policy and procedure.
- To proof read reports (foster care reviews and long-term matches) and attend committee with/in support of presenting social workers and/or with the support senior practitioner.
- To audit and monitor the quality of service to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people by meeting appropriate managers in TUSLA, ensuring all opportunities for collaborative work for the best outcomes for the children placed are discussed with the PSW and Directors.
- To work in collaboration with the Finance director to continually review and agree upon additional payments to foster carers.
- To be responsible for the management and leadership of the support senior practitioner, support link social workers and the support administrator. This includes the provision of monthly supervision, annual appraisal and professional development in line with company policies.
- To conduct regular audits of case files and oversee required actions within prescribed time scales in conjunction with the QA manager.
- To monitor performance of individual team members and take action when necessary to improve performance.
- To ensure carers attend mandatory training and a minimum of two training sessions per year.
- To work in close co-operation with the referrals manager and coordinator to ensure all referral are dealt with through the referral process, in line with carers approval and within the regulations and standards for foster carer.
- To ensure the implementation of escalation policies for training and observation reports.
- To ensure any welfare concern/allegation against foster carers are investigated under the national policy and within the appropriate timeframes.
- Through supervision ensure that all staff have an individual annual training plan that meets the minimum requirements of their CORU registration.
- To build and maintain excellent working relationships with relevant managers in TUSLA for whom we provide a service and identify any problem areas and opportunities for development.
- To promote the Company as the Fostering Service of choice.
- To always work within agreed Policies and Procedures, contributing to their review and giving feedback on their suitability in practice in conjunction with the QA manager.
- To be an effective and enthusiastic member of the Management Team and contribute to the development of the service.
- To attend and/or facilitate all required meetings such as management meetings, business meetings, referral and support team meetings.
- To contribute to the PSW’s monthly report, giving an overview of current issues surrounding area of responsibility.
- To chair team meetings, ensuring accurate and timely minutes are produced with a detailed action plan when required.
- To work with the PSW and QA manager to ensure that all inspections action plans are completed within the required time scales.
- To keep up to date with legislative changes and good practice to ensure our service remains at the cutting edge of fostering services.
- To be responsible for the health and safety management of the office in which you and your staff are based, ensuring compliance with the organisation’s health and safety policy and legislative requirements.
- To ensure that all risks identified are recorded and reported to all relevant people and recorded on our risk spreadsheet and on the management drive.
- To work within the provisions of the Data Protection Act, observing strict confidentiality in relation to all aspects of work undertaken.
- To actively participate in supporting the principles and practice of equal opportunities issues in accordance with the company policies and to work positively towards anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice.
- To undertake any other such duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your level of responsibility within the company.
- All employees are required to ensure compliance with the company’s guidance and policy on safeguarding and are required to attend and/or or complete child protection training (Children’s First).
- Participation in the back up on call management rota.
- Travel to meetings etc is required therefore the post holder must hold a full driving licence.
Benefits To Working With Company
- Comprehensive induction process
- Extensive training programme
- On-going mentoring and support
- Competitive salary with increments
- Refer a friend initiative
- Orchard Fostering Employee of the Month
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Internal career progression opportunities
- Bike to work scheme
- Education Assistance grants
About Us The Orchard Care Group is a wholly Irish owned company 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.
About Orchard Care Group Ireland
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.