Support Lead – Support Living Services

Salary: €46,840.15 per annum
Contract: Permanent: 36 Hours per week (subject to probation and Garda Vetting)
Reporting To: Community Support Manager
Location: Reach Deaf Supported Living Services, Community Homes and Locations Associated with Reach Deaf Services

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?
Are you an experienced Support Worker who enjoys guiding others, sharing your knowledge, and helping teams deliver excellent support?

This could be the perfect next step.
The Support Lead role is designed for experienced staff who want to develop their leadership skills while continuing to work directly alongside the people we support. It is a hands-on leadership role where you will continue to provide direct support while also acting as a key source of guidance, knowledge, and support for colleagues. You will help promote high-quality practice, support service coordination, and contribute to the smooth running of services during both working hours and designated on-duty periods.

About Reach Deaf Supported Living Services
At Reach Deaf Supported Living Services, we support Deaf people to live in their own homes and communities with the supports they need to live self-directed lives, build meaningful relationships, develop valued social roles, and participate fully in their communities.

Our work is guided by:

• Rights-based practice
• Respect for Deaf culture and communication
• Person-centred support
• Neuro-affirming approaches
• Social Role Valorisation (SRV)
• Choice, control and self-directed living

What Makes This Role Different?

As a Support Lead you will:

• Continue providing direct support to individuals
• Be a trusted point of guidance and support for colleagues
• Support new and agency staff to work safely and confidently
• Coordinate operational responses and service continuity
• Participate in the out-of-hours on-duty rota
• Promote high-quality, rights-based support
• Develop your leadership and decision-making skills
• Gain valuable experience for future career progression opportunities

Lead Through Practice
At Reach, we recognise the value of experience, whether gained within Reach or through supporting people in other services and communities.
The Support Lead role is ideal for experienced Support Workers who are ready to take on additional responsibility while remaining connected to direct support.
We welcome applications from both existing staff and external candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to person-centred, rights-based practice and who are interested in developing their leadership skills.

This role offers an opportunity to:

• Build leadership experience
• Develop confidence in decision-making
• Strengthen coaching and mentoring skills
• Gain exposure to operational leadership
• Support colleagues to succeed
• Influence positive practice and service quality

We are committed to supporting staff through training, mentorship, leadership development opportunities, and practical experience.

Essential Requirements

• QQI Level 5 qualification in Healthcare Support, Social Care, Disability Studies, Community Care, or a related discipline
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience supporting Deaf people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, or individuals with a range of support needs through person-centred and rights-based supports
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance, support, and leadership to colleagues through role modelling and professional practice
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, positive risk-taking, person-centred support, and rights-based practice
• Experience supporting staff teams and contributing to the coordination of services
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to respond appropriately to operational issues, including out-of-hours situations
• Experience maintaining documentation, handovers, and incident reporting
• Competent in Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other workplace systems
• Has an ISL Level 4 qualification or demonstrates a commitment and willingness to undertake ISL training and achieve this within an agreed timeframe
• Full clean driving licence

Desirable Requirements

• QQI Level 7 qualification in Social Care or a related discipline
• Previous experience in a Senior Support Worker, Support Lead, Key Worker, Team Lead, or equivalent role
• Experience participating in audits, service reviews, and quality improvement initiatives
• Experience supporting the induction, mentoring, or development of staff
• Leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills
• Knowledge of Social Role Valorisation (SRV), person-centred planning, and community-based support models
• Understanding of neuro-affirming practice and supporting neurodivergent people
• Experience supporting individuals through significant life transitions and periods of change
• Knowledge of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act and rights-based approaches to support
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health needs
• Additional training in safeguarding, medication management, positive behaviour support, or leadership development
• Willingness to undertake further leadership and professional development training relevant to the role
• Knowledge and/or experience of Deaf culture and Deaf community values

What do we offer at Reach?

• Competitive salary
• Employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid Sick Leave
• Annual Leave entitlement
• Ongoing training, professional development & leadership opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive team culture
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives

How to Apply
At Reach Deaf Services, we value diversity and inclusion. If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Recruitment@reachdeafservices.ie.

Closing date: 5:00 pm on 20th November 2026
Interview date: 23rd November and 30th November 2026

For a copy of the Job Specification or further information, please contact kharris@reachdeafservices.ie.