A day in the life of a children’s residential care worker at Ashdale Care

At Ashdale Care, our residential social care workers are central to everything we do. They support young people in day-to-day life, helping to create structure, routine and positive experiences in a safe and therapeutic environment.

Ashdale operates 24 residential homes across Ireland, with a strong presence in Donegal. Each home is a safe, supportive space where our care teams work directly with young people of different ages and needs, modelling life skills, providing consistency and offering steady support where it’s needed most.

A typical day can involve:
● Helping with school runs, appointments, activities and trips
● Supporting emotional development and self-regulation
● Encouraging healthy routines and independent living skills
● Completing administrative tasks and maintaining care plans
● Being a steady, caring presence in the everyday moments

Here’s what a real day looks like, told by one of our team.

A Saturday at Ashdale Care

10:00am – Arriving at the home

It’s a Saturday morning and I arrive just as the young people are sitting down to breakfast. I’m greeted with a mix of sleepy smiles and warm hugs. One by one, they share their plans, visiting family, heading to the beach, and a long-awaited shopping day!

I drop my bag into my room and head to the office for a handover. The team leader updates me on how things went overnight. One young person is feeling anxious about visiting his mum today. He’s not sure he wants to go, the long drive, the emotions of saying goodbye, it’s all a bit much.

We make a plan for the day and assign staff to each young person. As I leave the office, that same young person approaches me: “Are you taking me to see my family today?” I tell him I am, and his face lights up. He’s still nervous, but he’s changed his mind. We sit down with a cup of tea and talk through his worries. Together, we create a plan, with fun stops along the way to
make it feel more manageable.

12:30pm – Out on the road

We set off early and stop at the local park. He makes friends easily and is soon swinging across the monkey bars with the others. The ice cream van pulls in and we grab two cones for the drive ahead.

Back in the car, we put on his favourite playlist and have a singing contest all the way there. By the time we arrive, the nerves are gone, he’s excited to see his family. They catch up, talk about the week and head to the cinema to see the new Minecraft movie he’s been talking about for days. It’s a great visit, full of laughs and relaxed conversation.

On the way home, we stop at a restaurant he’s always wanted to try. He’s buzzing. Over lunch, we reflect on the day and talk about the moments he’s proud of. He’s tired but content..

Evening – Back at the house

We return to the house just as another young person is setting up the PlayStation. He holds up a spare controller and asks, “Want to join?” Soon they’re playing Lego City together, chatting about their day.

As the evening winds down, we begin bedtime routines, quiet chats, positive reflections and a story before lights out. Once everyone is settled, the team gathers to complete notes, catch up and hand over for the next day.

There were challenges, of course - moments of uncertainty, difficult conversations, but also real progress. We talk about what worked, what didn’t and how to better support each other and the young people going forward.

As I leave to go home, I reflect on how lucky I am to do this work, to help create small but meaningful moments that bring a sense of stability, joy and progress to the lives of young people who need it.

What qualifications do I need?

To work as a Residential Social Care Worker at Ashdale, you’ll need a Level 7 or 8 degree in Social Care, along with a full clean driving licence and to be CORU registered or in the process of registering.

To work as a Residential Care Worker, a Level 7 or 8 degree in a broader related field, such as Social Work, Youth & Community, Psychology, Teaching, Nursing or Early Years is required, as well as a full driving licence.

In both roles, your personal qualities matter just as much, compassion, consistency, patience and the ability to build genuine relationships with young people are key.

The role can be challenging, but it’s also hugely rewarding. Ashdale provides structured support, ongoing training and clear opportunities for career progression. Whether you’re new to residential care or bring years of experience, you’ll be part of a team that learns and grows together.

Interested in joining Ashdale Care?

If you can see yourself in this role, connecting with young people and helping to create meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit ashdalecare.com/careers to view current vacancies in Donegal, learn about our values and explore our unique employee benefits package.