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SalaryAbout Us
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East covering 862 sq. miles, we have a budget of around 1.3billion which helps us provide services for more than 513,000 people. Our ambitions can only be realised with great people who bring their individual skills, knowledge and expertise, but above all, they bring the commitment needed to help Durham County Council make a real difference.
Our Children’s Homes Service is expanding, developing homes which meet the individual needs of young people, and creating teams who are well supported and skilled in trauma-based approaches to work alongside our children and young people who will have a range of different needs. We are committed to ensuring that our children and young people are provided with homes where they feel happy, safe and aspirational for their futures.
The Role
As a Residential Worker, you will be responsible for undertaking all aspects of caring and supporting our young people who live in the home, as any parent would. For example, transporting them to school, college or appointments, making their home a clean, warm and cosy environment, cooking meals and encouraging participation in local activities and hobbies.
You will adopt an aspirational approach to support and develop the Children’s Homes Service to achieve its vision of providing high quality care and support to children, young people and their families as detailed in the Children’s Homes Statement of Purpose.
Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area.
Skills and Experience
We are looking for child centred practitioners who would like to join and work as part of dedicated staff teams to ensure our children and young people are provided with the best care possible. We are seeking candidates with experience of working with children and young people with complex needs either in a voluntary or professional capacity.
Candidates should have excellent interpersonal skills, ability to cope with challenging and stressful situations and sensitively deal with emotional distress. You should be emotionally resilient, reliable and flexible in your approach to work.
Our children and young people have often experienced trauma. We need you to offer them understanding through meaningful relationships aimed at keeping them safe and able to enjoy the world around them. We need you to listen to them and to take in to account their views, wishes and feelings. The role can be challenging and requires dedication and resolve however, the personal rewards are immense.
The essential qualifications for the posts are:
· GCSE Grade A – C in Maths and English or a qualification that is equivalent or higher
· All candidates must hold or have the commitment to attain a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent as stated in the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015) within 18 months of programme enrolment to meet regulatory requirements
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.
To apply you should be 22 years old or above and have experience of working with children and young people.
The successful applicant for this post will be required to apply for a Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
Our offer
The salary range for a Residential Worker is £27,803 - £31,364 (starting salary within the grade range will consider experience relevant to the post if required for external candidates). This is the basic salary for a Residential Worker, in addition the post is paid enhancements.
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 which include time and a third for overtime and unsociable hours (working between the hours of 8pm to 6am and on weekends), as well as sleep in payments at £40.76 per sleep in. This can equate to an additional earning potential of up to £5,000 on top of the basic salary.
We offer a comprehensive rewards and benefits package.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £27,803.00-£31,364.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Relocation assistance
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Holidays
- Night shift
- Overtime
- Weekend availability
Application question(s):
- Do you have the right to live and work in the UK?
- Do you hold GCSE Grade A – C in Maths and English or a qualification that is equivalent or higher?
- Do you have experience of working with children and young people with complex needs either in a voluntary or professional capacity?
Work Location: In person
