Minimum Level 5 Certificate in General Health and Social Care, QQI (NFQ) or equivalent level in Health Care, Intellectual Disability or Special Needs Assisting qualification or relevant field.
At least one year of experience in an intellectual disability setting or similar health care setting working directly with health care clients.
Full-time post dependent on HSE funding.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The Community Access Facilitator will:
Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of person-centred plans for service users.
Cover for other staff as required.
Support the service user with personal care including showering, feeding, dressing, toileting if required.
Support the service user to establish a circle of support and action plan.
Support the service user to focus on outcomes/goals.
Support the service user to identify community activities they would like to take part in.
Support the service user to identify the supports they require to access these activities and agree how long these supports will be required.
Ensure all activities and supports are monitored and adjusted (maintained/reduced) at an appropriate pace to ensure sustainability.
Introduce new experiences at a pace that enables the service user to achieve success, addressing obstacles and other issues that may compromise achievement of agreed goals.
Assist service users to develop a full range of social relationships including developing friendships and social networks.
Empower service users to be a valued citizen in their local community, make choices and have ordinary life experiences.
Where appropriate participate in activities as a means of motivating service user to take part.
Motivate service users who may be experiencing difficulties or low motivation in engaging in activities.
Promote advocacy through listening to the service user’s wishes and assisting by advocating on their behalf in a number of settings including family, HSE, community groups, agencies etc.
Explore and encourage the use of natural community supports in supporting independent living for the service user.
Provide on-site support and supervision to service users who are accessing work experience in the local community.
Assist the service user to identify and develop opportunities to experience volunteering, work experience, supported employment and pathways to full employment.
Promote and provide practical road safety awareness and training as required.
Facilitate the service user to access mainstream educational programmes.
Encourage independent living by providing the service user with training and support with independent living skills.
Administration
The Community Access Facilitator will:
Establish and maintain a database of community services and facilities that offer suitable meaningful opportunity for adults with a disability.
Attend and participate in staff meetings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, case conferences and review meetings as deemed appropriate.
Ensure the privacy and confidentiality of service users whilst acknowledging the needs for professional sharing of information within the relevant staff team.
Ensure records and documentation are maintained to a high standard and storage of files is always in line with data protection policy.
Develop and maintain partnerships with local organisations.
Work with other organisations to create networks and share resources.
Contribute to the development of quality assurance systems and procedures.
Education & Training
Attend and participate in all staff training as deemed relevant by organisational policy and service manager.
Participate in performance evaluation/review with Line Manager identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans to achieve them.
Participate in committees as directed by service manager.
Health & Safety / Risk Management
Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to service user care or wellbeing.
Complete incident reporting and near miss forms.
Adhere to all HSE policies and procedures and to all relevant Health & Safety legislation.
Complete and review risk assessments, including the development of a positive risk management plan for service users.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Have a working knowledge of HIQA standards as they apply to the role, for example; Standards for Health Care, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Health Care Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
Adequately identify, assess, manage, and monitor risk within their area of responsibility.
The above job specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Terms
The salary range for this position is €34,500-€49,500 and is commensurate with relevant experience, particularly in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.
We also offer a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, complimentary gym membership, and team wellbeing days.
Other
Full eligibility to work in Ireland with excellent proficiency in English. Access to a car required.
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Application Process
Please apply including a CV and cover letter to:
Donegal Town: [email protected]
Letterkenny: [email protected]
Please clearly indicate your preferred location in your cover letter. If you wish to be considered for locations, submit your application to both email addresses.
Closing date for applications: Friday 15th May 2026. Shortlisting will apply.
We warmly welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to everyone and are flexible in how we receive information. If you would like to apply via a different format or require any accommodations, let us know how we can support you.
