We're Hiring: Principal Social Worker | Ability West

Are you an experienced Social Work Leader looking to make a meaningful impact in the disability sector?

Ability West is seeking a Principal Social Worker to provide strategic, professional and operational leadership for our Social Work, Safeguarding and Home Sharing Services across Galway City and County.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this senior leadership role will play a key part in shaping service delivery, safeguarding practice and supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society.

Ability West provides a wide range of high quality services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism across Galway City and County. Services provided are day, residential, short breaks, community support, rehabilitative training, and multi-disciplinary support. The ethos of service provision is underpinned by our Vision, Mission, Core Values and Strategic Plan, which is to empower people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society. Each person is supported and valued within an environment which promotes their overall autonomy, health and wellbeing and enables them to reach their potential.

Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and manage Social Work, Safeguarding and Home Sharing Services

✅ Provide professional leadership and supervision to Social Work staff

✅ Oversee safeguarding governance and Designated Officer systems

✅ Support complex case management and crisis intervention

✅ Drive service improvement, quality assurance and regulatory compliance

✅ Contribute to organisational strategy, governance and decision-making

✅ Work collaboratively with families, multidisciplinary teams and external agencies

Essential Requirements

✔ CORU registered Social Worker

✔ Relevant postgraduate qualification

✔ Minimum five years post-qualification Social Work experience

✔ Significant experience in leadership, safeguarding and disability services

✔ Strong knowledge of governance, risk management and regulatory frameworks

Desirable:

• Clinical and professional knowledge to carry out the duties of the role.
• Budget Management experience (relevant to Home Sharing service delivery).
• Effective supervision and leadership skills.

Location: Blackrock House, Salthill, Galway

Frequent travel across Galway City and County required

Hours: 35hrs per week

What we are offering

✅ Competitive salary: €79,359-€97,597 per annum – depending on experience

✅ 27 days annual leave

✅ 7% employer pension contribution to support your future

✅Sick Pay Scheme

✅ Leadership opportunity in a supportive, person centered organisation

✅ Close Support: As a smaller, person centered organisation, we work closely with our leaders — you will have direct support, mentorship, and genuine career progression.

✅ Career Progression and Development Opportunities

✅ Comprehensive Training Provided: legislative, Health & Safety and other job-related training provided on an on-going basis.

✅ Bike to Work Scheme

✅Employee Assistance Program

📩 Apply Now!

All applicants must be eligible to work in Ireland.