About the Role
About Orchard Care Group
The Orchard Care Group is a wholly owned Irish company that provides services to children and young adults in the care and disability sectors. Operating nationwide the group comprises of Orchard Community Care, Orchard Fostering and Orchard Residential Care.
Reporting to the Group Director of Human Resources, the Learning and Development Manager is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and governance of all training and professional development programmes within the company.
Our Vision at Orchard Care Group is that the people we support live meaningful lives through, our high-quality model of excellent care, within our positive, collaborative, values-based culture.
Our Values are Advocacy, Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration & Human Rights.
About the Role This role is responsible for ensuring full organisational compliance with all regulatory, statutory, and industry training requirements. It involves managing a structured training framework covering mandatory certifications, maintaining a centralised compliance matrix, and ensuring alignment with HIQA & TUSLA standards, health and safety regulations, and client requirements.
The position oversees all training and learning opportunities in collaboration with key departments, ensuring employees are competent before undertaking duties and that all content reflects current legislation and best practice. It also includes maintaining accurate training records, monitoring compliance performance, identifying risks, and ensuring audit readiness.
Additionally, the role supports employee development through structured learning pathways and career progression frameworks, while leading the training team, engaging stakeholders, and managing external training providers to ensure quality, consistency, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
The role ensures that all training delivered meets:
- HSE requirements
- HIQA & TUSLA standards (where applicable)
- Irish employment and health & safety legislation
- Best practice in learning and social care service delivery
The Learning and Development Manager ensures employees are competent, confident, compliant, and supported to thrive in delivering safe, person-centred services.
Key Responsibilities - Mandatory & Core Training Oversight & Compliance
- Induction & Onboarding
- Employees Development & Career Pathways
- Embedding Company Values
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
About the Ideal Candidate Essential Criteria
- Level 7 or above qualification in: Healthcare Management, Human Resources, Training & Development, Social Care, or related discipline.
- Minimum 2 years management experience in a similar or relevant role.
- Experience managing and developing compliance systems and training matrices.
- Knowledge of Irish healthcare legislation and relevant standards.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience in the use of HRIS
- Proficient in MS packages e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint portals, Dynamics 365.
- Proficient in documentation and record-keeping, with attention to detail.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritise workload, and work under pressure
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to set clear objectives and work in a systematic way
- Ability to generate reports and collate and analyse data
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Desirable Experience
- Recognised Training Qualification (e.g., Train the Trainer, QQI Level 6).
- Relevant experience in a social care or healthcare setting
- Knowledge of Irish healthcare legislation and relevant standards
Additional Requirements
- Full current driving license with full eligibility to drive in Ireland, and access to a vehicle
- Flexibility to travel between service locations
- Have full eligibility and availability to work in Ireland
- Full valid Garda Vetting/Police Clearance
IND
Benefits to working with Company
- Hybrid working model
- Orchard Values Champion Awards
- EAP Scheme
- Bike to Work Scheme
- On-going mentoring and support from an experienced team
- Continuous Professional Development support
- Higher Education Bursary
- Career progression opportunities
- Refer a friend initiative
- Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their families
About us
The Orchard Care Group is a wholly Irish owned company dedicated to providing the best possible care, supports and outcomes for children, young people, and adults in Ireland across a range of settings and locations, in fostering, disability and mainstream residential services.
The Group brings together three leading brands in Irish social care – Orchard Residential, Orchard Community Care and Orchard Fostering.
Our Vision at Orchard Care Group is that the people we support live meaningful lives through, our high-quality model of excellent care, within our positive, collaborative, values-based culture. Our Values are Advocacy, Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration & Human Rights.
