Care Assistants - Day services - Training Centres, Day Services & Community Hubs in Cork

About the Role

Care Assistants - Day services - Training Centres, Day Services & Community Hubs

Horizons - Cope Foundation in Cork Communities is one of the top 150 Employers in Ireland. Our organisation is deeply embedded in communities and we are one of the largest not-for-profit organisations in Munster. Horizons supports people with an intellectual disability and additional needs such as autism or physical and medical conditions. We empower people to live a life of their choosing, connected and participating in their communities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) guides our services and we play an important role in the future direction of the sector. We are committed to inclusion and social change. We work to make Cork a more inclusive and diverse place to live, work and learn. The ongoing mission of the organisation is to provide a range of rights-based, person-centered, community-based, self-directed services and supports to enable people to live a life of their choosing. We comply with the standards outlined in The Charities Governance Code, which is developed and monitored by the Charities Regulator.

All of our work is aligned with four organisational values: Person-centred, Honest, Kind, and Creative. At Horizons we deliver vital services and supports to over 3,500 children and adults. Every individual has different needs and goals in their lives. We support people who live in residential settings, people who attend day centres, community hubs and training centres. We support children through our disability network teams. We support people to live independently and gain employment opportunities. We provide support such as speech and language therapy; art and creative arts therapy; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; psychology; physical activity and sports; and dietetics. Our team is made up of 1600 staff who work across our ever-expanding network of over 120 locations across Cork city and county.

This role will be based in either Horizons Training Centres, Day Services or Community Day Hubs. As part of this role you will be supporting in the transitioning of the people we support, from a training centre environment to their day service/ community hub. In line with the UNCRPD and New Directions, Horizons strives to support people realise their full potential with a focus on three main pillars: Personal Development, Active Participation & Citizenship. We work in partnership with the individual and their natural supports to co-create opportunities to learn, participate and be an active citizen with a socially valued role. Cope foundation is committed to empowering an individual in line with the ADMA to reach their full potential in living the life of their choosing. This shift pattern for this role will generally be Monday to Friday however flexibility with will be required in line with service delivery.

Salary: €34,881, €36,034, €37,602, €38,122, €38,965, €40,603, €42,362, €42,976, €44,504, €45,647, €46,578, €47,624, €48,434 LSI. The 13-point salary scale for the post as of 01/06/2026. Pease note that successful candidates will commence on point 1 of the Care Assistant scale unless they have previous service directly with the HSE or a Section 38 agency in which case relevant service may be considered for salary placement. New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Requirements

Skills and attributes: IT Skills, Excellent communication & interpersonal skills

Successful candidates for these positions will: Hold a relevant qualification: minimum QQI Level 5 Major Award in Healthcare/Intellectual Disability (all 8 modules completed as per QQI requirements). Have a general understanding of current legislation (New Directions, ADMA, UNCRPD). Hold valid work permission and eligibility to work and reside in Ireland at the time of application. Have excellent communication and listening skills. Be able to demonstrate previous engagement within community-based settings. Possess initiative, flexibility & good organisational skills. Have excellent team working skills. Gave good IT Skills. Hold a full clean driver’s licence (desirable).

Details

Location: Cork

Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Salary: €34,881–€48,434 per year

Closing date: 29 Sept 2026

How to Apply

Informal enquiries may be made to Paul Sherlock, Regional Manager on 086 417 8396. Completed application forms must be returned by Monday 28th September 2026. Note: We recommend completing the application on a PC or laptop to ensure full visibility of the form. Applicants may be short listed on the basis of their application. The Department of Health & Children Consolidated Scales apply. Visit our website at www.horizonscork.ie