Special School jobs

Location: Dublin 14
Hours: Approximately 30 - 35 hours per week
Schedule: Afternoons and evenings, Monday to Saturday
Salary: €750–€900 gross per week, depending on experience and qualifications
Driving: Full driving licence required; a family car will be provided

The Position

A warm and welcoming family in Dublin 14 is seeking an experienced Special Needs Nanny and Paediatric Healthcare Assistant to care for two school-aged sisters, aged 11 and 8.

This is a blended childcare and healthcare-support position. The successful candidate will provide attentive, engaging nanny care to both children while supporting the eldest child, who has SMA Type 1, with her physical, mobility and personal care needs.

The eldest child is a bright, bubbly and sociable 11-year-old with a wonderful sense of humour. She communicates verbally, attends mainstream school and uses a powered wheelchair. Her younger sister is a happy and active 8-year-old who enjoys arts and crafts, gymnastics and spending time with her sister.

The family would love to find someone warm, dependable and enthusiastic who will engage meaningfully with both girls, encourage their interests and make their afternoons enjoyable. Alongside the childcare responsibilities, the successful candidate must be comfortable providing respectful and confident assistance with the eldest child’s established care routines.

Nursing support is already in place. This is not a nursing position; however, relevant healthcare, complex-care or additional-needs experience is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing warm, attentive and age-appropriate care to both children
• Planning games, creative activities, outings and time outdoors
• Encouraging interaction, independence and alternatives to excessive screen time
• Assisting both children with homework and their daily routines
• Preparing healthy meals and snacks for the younger child
• Supporting the eldest child with toileting, dressing and personal care
• Safely using a hoist and supporting wheelchair-related mobility
• Assisting the eldest child with her established saliva-suction routine
• Following all child-specific care instructions and agreed safety procedures
• Bringing the younger child to her regular afternoon activities, including swimming and horse riding
• Occasionally driving the eldest child and her nurse to appointments or activities
• Supporting the parents with the children’s evening and bedtime routines
• Completing child-related laundry, including washing, ironing, folding and putting clothes away
• Keeping the children’s bedrooms and shared areas organised
• Encouraging the children to participate in suitable household tasks and develop positive habits
• Providing companionship, reassurance and consistent, age-appropriate boundaries

Candidate Requirements

• A minimum of two years’ relevant professional experience
• Previous experience supporting a child with a physical disability, complex care needs or additional needs
• Relevant experience in healthcare, paediatric care, special-needs care or a similar setting
• Confidence with personal care, hoisting and mobility support
• A willingness to learn and follow the eldest child’s individual care routines
• A full, clean driving licence
• A warm, patient and encouraging personality
• The confidence to establish kind but consistent boundaries
• A genuine interest in engaging with both children and becoming a trusted part of their routine
• Strong communication skills and fluent English
• Current first-aid training, or a willingness to renew it
• The right to work in Ireland
• Excellent, independently verifiable professional references
• Willingness to complete our background clearance, including Garda Vetting

A relevant qualification, such as QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support, nursing studies, special-needs assisting or an equivalent qualification , would be highly advantageous.

Working Hours

The position will involve approximately 30 hours per week , primarily during afternoons and evenings across Monday to Saturday. Some flexibility may be required, and additional hours may occasionally be available.

The precise weekly schedule will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

Salary and Benefits

• €750–€900 gross per week, depending on qualifications and relevant experience
• Family car provided for work-related driving
• Additional hours may be available
• A welcoming family environment
• The opportunity to build a meaningful and consistent relationship with two wonderful children

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced special-needs nanny, paediatric healthcare assistant or childcare professional with complex-care experience who is looking for a rewarding, long-term position within a supportive family home.

To apply, please submit your current CV together with a brief introduction outlining your relevant childcare, special-needs or healthcare experience.