Carers
We are a family of carers. Companions to clients & partners for their families.
We understand what it is like to be a Carer. Guaranteed hours for all full-time employees are provided. We operate structured rotas and carers work 7 days a fortnight.
Each team has a dedicated Care Manager who understands the challenges of being a Carer.
Carers are often lone workers but at Danu supporting our carers is a priority- For example ongoing training and supports, visa application supports for existing employees (over 80 in 2023) and newsletters.
All Carers have access to our Employee Wellness Programme and Mental Health Supports.
Carers are regularly supported to take part in community or charitable events.
Danu Carers
We are a family of Carers. Companions to clients & partners for their families.
We understand what it is like to be a Carer. Guaranteed hours for all full-time employees are provided. We operate structured rotas and Carers work 7 days a fortnight.
Each team has a dedicated Care Manager who understands the challenges of being a Carer.
Carers are often lone workers but at Danu supporting our Carers is a priority. For example, ongoing training and supports, visa application supports for existing employees (over 80 in 2023) and newsletters.
All Carers have access to our Employee Wellness Programme and Mental Health Supports.
Carers are regularly supported to take part in community or charitable events.
Why Work With Us?
- Team of capable and skilled Carers and management team. Many of our management team started their careers as Carers in the company.
- Career development within the company is encouraged.
- All current Community Team Leads (supervisor) began as Carers.
- 5 of 10 Care Managers began as Carers with us (the remaining 5 were Carers previously elsewhere at some point in their career).
- The Community Support Manager was also a Carer within the company.
- The Operations Manager began as a Carer with us, promoted to Team Lead, then Care Manager and then Operations Manager.
- We value our Carers. Evidence shows that there is a very low turnover of staff within the company.
Benefits & Supports
- New team members are provided with online and in person training
- 2 days classroom training covering patient and movement theory, practical, induction training on policies, procedures, safeguarding, stoma care, catheter care, dementia.
- 2 days on the job training in the community provided with a senior Carer/team lead prior to commencing work.
- Ongoing training is provided. This includes refresher training and training on specific topics like palliative care, autism, dementia. For example this training may be on the Virtual Dementia Bus or from The Alzheimer’s Society.
- €250 One4all voucher joining bonus is paid once Carers are 6 weeks with Danu.
- Guaranteed hours/20 days paid holidays
- Quarterly bonus of €100 in wages for full attendance.
- “Carer of the Month” is chosen monthly and receives a €100 One4all voucher.
- Work with Carers to ensure that schedules are built around sustainable practical and geographically realistic requirements. Smart scheduling is implemented and the rota is very structured so Carers know what is expected of them every week.
- On Call Team/Out of Hours Support provided for Carers working at night and clients from 7am-11pm.
- Promote from within and develop the skills of the existing team whenever possible. The vast majority of Team Leads and Care Managers were promoted within the company.
- Carer engagement strategy in place- which looks at increasing participation and communication – quarterly team meetings, news letters, surveys.
- Carers are garda vetted, trained & supported. Carers can be confident that they are part of a great team.
- Clients are matched to Carers following an assessment process. There are many considerations including level of care required but also personality, temperament, skills. This “matching” is key for a successful experience for everyone.
FAQ's
Ideally applicants will have a minimum of 6 months paid professional experience. However we are happy to consider those without any professional experience too.
Ideally candidates will have a minimum 2 core QQI Level 5 modules, Care of the older person and Care skills, with a view to working towards the full award. Danu Home Care will arrange and subsidise the cost of the two core modules if required.
Online and in person training is provided for new members of the team. There are 2 days classroom training and 2 days on the job training. Continuous online training is in place for all Danu Home Care team members.
Top quality care for clients is our key priority. Care provided is constantly monitored and reviewed. Our dedicated Team Leads carry out regular monitored supervision checks and unannounced spot checks with our Carers. The Team Leads also complete quarterly visits to clients and annual reviews. Our Community Support Manager also visits and monitors Team Leads.
Yes, you will be provided with two tunics. More are available upon request, all free of charge.
Our rotas are structured so Carers know what is expected of them. Carers work for 4 days one week and 3 days the next, with a maximum of 3 consecutive days. Carers work every second weekend. We offer guaranteed hours for our team.
No. We can consider applicants that use public transport, walk or cycle in urban areas.
Danu regularly hires for all of the areas we cover. Please mark on your application which area is possible for you.
We agree on a care plan with our clients and their healthcare providers. Our clients are largely elderly people living at home.
Care services range from companionship and conversation, exercise and mobility assistance, personal care, dementia care, end of life care and more as needed.
On-call team/out of hours support is provided for Carers working at night and clients from 7am -11pm. Ongoing training and support is provided while you are with Danu.
No, you will not be giving clients medication.