As part of our social witness, the PCI Council for Social Witness provides high quality care and support in the community through the provision of residential care, supported housing and nursing care for older people, day care, residential respite care, supported living and other services for people with a learning disability and/or a physical disability. We also work with people with addictions and with offenders.
Our mission statement “People matter to God” is at the centre of all that we do, and this is reflected in both the quality of care that we aim to provide, and in the working environment that we want to maintain for our staff teams.
For further information on the locations in which we operate throughout Ireland, please click here.
Job roles with the Council for Social Witness
We have a range of job roles, often available on either a full time or a part time basis. Depending on the role, previous experience is not always required, as full training will be provided. Opportunities on offer can include:
- Care Assistant
- Senior Care Assistant
- Domestic Assistant
- Laundry Assistant
- Deputy Home Manager
- Home Manager
- Nurse
- Support Worker
- Substance Misuse Practitioner / Social Worker
For information on our current job vacancies please click here.
Training and career progression
We are committed to enabling each of our staff members to reach their true potential, and to fulfill their role in providing the best possible care for our service users. As a member of our social care team, you will be provided with all of the relevant training and induction needed for you to excel in your new role. This will include all mandatory training required for registered care posts, as well the opportunity to obtain more specialist training in relevant areas, and further qualifications such as QCF level 2, 3 and 5.
For those interested in taking on more responsibility, we offer the chance to further develop and to progress into senior roles such as that of Senior Care Assistant, Deputy Manager and Home Manager.
Benefits of working for the Council for Social Witness
- A caring and supportive working environment
- Making a difference in the lives of others in need of support
- Generous leave entitlement
- Free uniforms, and free meals whilst on shift
- Free training: including mandatory training, and opportunities for further development such as obtaining QCF qualifications up to and including level 5
- Free Access NI checks and NISCC registration
- An Employee Assistance Programme which includes free counselling for both you and your immediate family
- Paid bereavement leave
- Contributory pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity pay provisions
- Long service awards
A few words from our staff:
Michelle Murray
Nursing Home Manager, Harold McCauley House in Omagh
It was an 8-week student nurse placement in Harold McCauley House in the summer of 2013 that left a lasting impression on Michelle Murray. Michelle admits she was scared when she first started the placement, and that at the time she didn't know how to care for older people. “Everyone made me at ease, and took me under their wings. I never forgot the experience at Harold McCauley House”. On finishing her placement there, she told the then Home Manager that she would be back!
Michelle says “I kept comparing my placements on surgical and medical wards with it, and they didn't come close at all!”
When a position came up in Harold McCauley House, Michelle jumped at the chance to apply. "I was so nervous for the interview because I really wanted the job there. PCI is an amazing organisation to work for. Compared to other places I worked in, they have good supplies of everything and residents' needs were the at forefront for everything. The support has been incredible and every training opportunity including dementia care and mentoring, has been available for me to partake in. The team is so supportive - you never feel like you're on your own.”
Michelle now leads a team of 55 dedicated staff members, having worked her way up from being a student nurse, to senior nurse, and then into her current role the Nursing Home Manager.
Kim Smith
Deputy Manager, Sunnyside House in Bangor
When I left school, I began my career in the personnel department of the civil service. I left to have my children and then started to look for something that would enable me to work and still be available for the children. Night work seemed a good option and so I became a night care assistant in Sunnyside in 1986. I have been there ever since, which speaks volumes about how much it means to me. I have been told that I am the longest serving member of staff in PCI (but I am not the oldest!). As my children grew older, I was able to develop my career and now I am the deputy manager of the home.
My role involves supporting the manager in the day-to-day running of the home. We provide care and support for 45 residents, ensuring that all standards and guidelines are met. No two days are the same in my job. Along with looking after residents, we have a large staff team that needs to be managed. Rotas need to be planned and we ensure that all staff are trained in necessary procedures to improve their skills and knowledge. Residents’ records need to be maintained, and ordering and dispensing medication is a major task within the home.
My life is based on my Christian beliefs and I have been able to share my faith with staff and residents.We are also privileged as staff in Sunnyside to be able to lead morning worship daily with residents. I believe it is important to not only look after their physical needs but also to tend to their spiritual needs. Most of these residents are no longer able to attend church so we bring church to them.
Grace Harding
Relief Domestic Assistant, Sunnyside House
Working in Sunnyside has been my first experience of employment. I started last summer, just after finishing my GCSEs, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everyone in Sunnyside was so friendly and welcoming though, which made it much easier. The training was excellent and I was able to shadow people for several weeks, so I was confident of what I had to do before taking on the tasks on my own. Other staff members were very patient with me as I learned what to do.
My main tasks involve cleaning the rooms of the residents, including vacuuming, changing beds, cleaning en-suites and tidying. I sometimes do laundry too.
I really enjoy meeting the residents – they are so kind and encouraging of me. They always thank me and are very appreciative of the work I do.
I like feeling part of the wider witness of PCI through working in one of its homes. There is a lovely Christian atmosphere in the building, which I know residents and staff appreciate. It is a very comfortable home and residents always seem very happy with the care they receive. The pay is good and I get a uniform provided, and even my lunch!
I feel very fortunate that working in Sunnyside is giving me great experience for my future career and providing me with transferable skills. I’m still undecided about what path I will take after school, but working in the social care sector has definitely opened my eyes to careers that I hadn’t thought of before.