Children's Support Worker – Flexible Hours

Compass Community Limited; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible zero hours

Work across Residential Homes & Spec.

Competitive hourly pay

Full induction and training

Ongoing development opportunities

Permanent and specialist pathways

Employee wellbeing support

Make a genuine difference

Job summary

Compass Community Limited is seeking a Children’s Support Worker for flexible, zero-hours shifts across our residential homes and specialist schools in the Gateshead area. You’ll help children feel safe, valued and capable of achieving their potential, building confidence and life skills while supporting education and daily activities.

You’ll join a team dedicated to safeguarding, with full induction and ongoing learning.

Qualifications

• Experience in childcare, education, youth work, social care or support work is beneficial but not essential.
• Full UK driving licence is desirable.
• Willingness to travel across locations (NE5/NE8/NE9/NE6/NE32 area).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Support emotional wellbeing, confidence and independence.
• Encourage participation in education, activities and daily routines.
• Provide a safe, caring and nurturing environment.
• Support positive behaviour using therapeutic approaches.
• Assist with learning and classroom activities in specialist schools.
• Help children develop life skills and achieve individual goals.
• Collaborate with Residential, Education and Therapeutic teams.
• Promote safeguarding and high standards of care.

Skills

Excellent communication

People skills

Relationship building

Flexible approach

Safeguarding

Job description

Children's Support Worker – Flexible Hours

Looking for a role that fits around your life while making a genuine difference to children and young people?

As a Children's Support Worker – Flexible Hours, you'll join Compass Community on a zero hours contract, giving you the flexibility to choose shifts that work for you while supporting our children's homes and specialist schools.

Every shift is different. One day you could be helping a young person build confidence in one of our residential homes, and the next supporting pupils in a specialist classroom. Whatever the setting, you'll be helping children feel safe, valued and able to achieve their potential.

Whether you're looking for additional hours alongside another role, returning to work, studying, or simply want greater flexibility, this is an opportunity to be part of a team that changes lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll work across our Residential and Education services, helping wherever support is needed.

Your role may include:

• Building positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Supporting emotional wellbeing, confidence and independence.
• Encouraging participation in education, activities and daily routines.
• Providing a safe, caring and nurturing environment.
• Supporting positive behaviour using therapeutic approaches.
• Assisting with learning and classroom activities within our specialist schools.
• Helping children develop life skills and achieve their individual goals.
• Working alongside experienced Residential, Education and Therapeutic teams.
• Promoting safeguarding and ensuring the highest standards of care at all times.

No two days are ever the same, but every day offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Who We’re Looking For

We're looking for caring, resilient and enthusiastic people who are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.

You’ll ideally have:

• Excellent communication and people skills.
• The ability to build positive relationships quickly.
• A flexible approach and willingness to work across different services and locations.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Experience in residential childcare, education, youth work, social care, health care or support work is beneficial but not essential. If you have the right values, we’ll provide the training and support you need to succeed.

A full UK driving licence is desirable. You will travel across NE5, NE8, NE9, NE6, NE32 to cover different homes and schools.

Why Join Compass Community?

At Compass Community, we put children first. Our therapeutic approach, supportive culture and commitment to developing our colleagues make this more than just a flexible job.

You’ll benefit from:

• Flexible zero hours working that fits around your lifestyle.
• Opportunities to work across both Residential Homes and Specialist Schools.
• Competitive hourly pay.
• Full induction and comprehensive training.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Clear pathways into permanent and specialist roles.
• Employee wellbeing support and colleague benefits.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference every time you work.

About Compass Community

Compass Community provides therapeutic care and specialist education for children and young people with complex needs. Everything we do is guided by our values of Integrity, Courage and Care, helping children recover, thrive and achieve brighter futures.

The Values Awards

At Compass, our strength comes from the values we live by every day – Integrity, Care and Courage. These aren’t just words that we put on our website or on a poster; they’re visible in the actions you take to support children, families and each other, often in ways that go unseen.

That’s why we are launching the Compass Values Awards, to spotlight actions that embody Integrity, Care or Courage across all parts of our community.

Read on to learn about how it works, what a nomination in each category looks like, and which teams fall within each service.

If you’re looking for flexible work with real purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Compass Community is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, online checks and all safer recruitment requirements.