A Profile of a past pupil: OTC Level 8 Graduate – Julette Kearney
Julette Kearney, a former student of the Open Training College, and now Managing Director of Orange Recruitment Limited has built a successful business career by combining her passion for the effective delivery for frontline care with an urgency to address the associated skills shortage in this critical Public Service.
With roots in disability services and a passion for service delivery, she has built a business defined by integrity, purpose, professionalism, and a deep respect for the work of Social Care professionals.
Julette began her career as a Care Assistant with the Brothers of Charity in Galway, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities in their daily lives. This early and life affirming experience defines her as a person and has shaped her belief in the transformative power of person-centred support.
In 2003, Julette was offered the opportunity to complete a two-year apprenticeship with a service in New York as a Community Training Specialist, where she worked with adults with developmental disabilities in community-based programmes. Her work focused on life skills development, supported employment, and promoting independent living. This international experience significantly broadened her perspective on inclusion and empowerment and reinforced her belief in the importance of culturally responsive, person-centred care.
Returning to Ireland, Julette pursued formal education through the Open Training College, undertaking a structured and deeply practical degree programme in Social Care Work. The course combined academic theory with real-world application, allowing her to build skills in:
- Rights-based approaches to care
- Social policy and professional standards
- Reflective practice and ethical leadership
- Communication, supervision, and care service management
The OTC provided a strong academic and professional foundation for Julette’s career. Its flexible, work-based learning model made it possible to study while working in the field, ensuring every lesson had direct practical relevance. Julette credits the dedicated and inspiring OTC staff, especially Dr Karen Finnerty, Alacoque McAuley Savage and Raymond Watson for their outstanding mentorship, sector knowledge, and student-centred approach.
While studying, Julette built a wide-ranging and progressive career across the disability sector. She held roles in Supported Employment, Day Services, Residential Services, and Individualised Supports, progressing from frontline positions to management-level roles. This gave her a strong, real-world understanding of the operational and human dynamics of care, insight she draws on daily in her current leadership role.
Julette further developed her academic qualifications by completing a Level 8 Honours Bachelor of Arts in Social Care Work. This programme deepened her strategic capabilities in service development, leadership, and staff supervision, building the confidence and credibility required to move into a senior leadership role in the wider care sector.
Julette transitioned into the recruitment industry with a clear and personal mission: to raise the standard of how Social Care Workers and healthcare professionals are supported and placed in roles that match not only their skills, but their values and ambitions.
As Managing Director of Orange Recruitment, she now leads a specialised team that delivers healthcare, social care, and public sector staffing solutions across Ireland.
Orange Recruitment is not just any agency; it is a trusted resource and long-term career partner for SCWs and Services which, under Julette’s informed leadership, offers:
- Confidential insights into the current market and upcoming career opportunities
- 1:1 personalised career support, tailored to individual circumstances
- Professional competency-based interview and presentation preparation for all levels of roles
- Long-term career guidance, helping professionals align with organisations that reflect their values, culture, and life stage
Julette and her team work closely with each candidate to ensure they are informed, empowered, and supported, not just in finding their next role, but in building a meaningful and sustainable career path in the social care sector.
As a qualified Social Care Worker, Julette actively supports professionals in understanding the importance of compliance, regulation, and title protection. She frequently shares updates and guidance on the CORU registration process, particularly ahead of the November 30, 2025, deadline for legacy route applicants. Her practical advice and sectoral knowledge help ensure SCWs feel equipped and informed in navigating their professional obligations.