Jobs

Residential Workers - Short-Breaks – Sherburn Area

Salary: £30,024 - £33,699 (starting salary within the grade range will consider experience relevant to the post, if required for external candidates). This post is paid enhancements, this can equate to an additional earning potential of up to £5,000 on top of the basic salary.

The Role
We have a rare opportunity to join our team who provide short break care for children and young people with learning disabilities, neurodiversity, physical disabilities, and complex health needs aged between 5 and 18. Our home does have capacity for one emergency admission for children and young people who are known to our service, this is only ever a temporary measure.

You will work as part of a dedicated staff team to ensure the children and young people are provided with the best care possible during their stays. This will involve interacting using different methods of communication, offering intimate care such as bathing and pad changes, close personal care such as feeding, moving and handling, gastro feeding, medication administration and specialist health procedures. Training and support are provided and continuous.

Our Values
Our service is built on the ‘Durham’ values – Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset which are at the heart of everything we do for both our young people and our teams.

What you will need
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to support young people in a person-centred approach. This will involve supporting young people with personal and intimate care needs, with activities in the community, developing their social skills, trying new experiences, and supporting young people to be as independent as possible.

It would be beneficial for candidates to have knowledge on the needs of children and young people with disabilities and/or experience working with children and young people with disabilities at the point of application however this is not essential.

You Should Have

• GCSE Grade A – C in Maths and English or a qualification that is equivalent or higher
• Hold or have a willingness to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• Experience working with children or young people (voluntary or professional capacity)
• Strong interpersonal skills and can be a positive role model for our children and young people
• A flexible approach to work 

Applicants must hold a current driving licence and have access to a car (employees with a disability must have access to a means of mobility support).

All applicants must be aged 22+, an Enhanced DBS Disclosure is applicable to this post.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children.

Our offer to you
The role will involve working a range of shifts including weekdays, evenings, weekends and sleep in duties. The nature of shift patterns enables a level of flexibility for employees.
We operate a 365 days per year, 24 hours a day service. As part of this, our shift-based roles work on a rota basis and attract enhanced payments.  
 
You will benefit from a comprehensive programme of training to support you to develop in your role. As well as access to a wide ranging rewards and benefits offer, take a closer look via Rewards and Benefits

Ready to make a difference?
We would encourage you to contact us to arrange a discussion via Meg.Laidler@durham.gov.uk to find out more about the wide ranging opportunities we have available.

Interviews
 
Interviews are anticipated to be held Week Commencing 1st June 2026.
 
Removal and Lodgings
Removal, lodging and separation expenses may be available to the successful candidate if at the time of application for appointment their place of residence is outside the administrative area of County Durham and more than 30 miles in a straight line from their new administrative centre, along with several other criteria for eligibility.

Equality, diveristy, and inclusion
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
 
How to apply
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
 
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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 7 £30,024 - £33,699

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant