Home Care and Support Worker

Durham County Council; Barnard Castle; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working where applicable

27 days annual leave (rising to 32)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Durham County Council is recruiting for care roles at the Charles Dickens Extra Care Scheme in Barnard Castle. The positions involve providing high-quality care and support to service users in a dedicated 24-hour community setting.

Two part-time posts (18.5 hours per week) and one full-time post (37 hours per week) are available, with shifts including days, evenings, nights and weekends. DBS checks apply, and induction is provided.

Qualifications

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative following induction.
• Willingness to undertake personal care duties.
• Previous experience not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care and support to service users at the Charles Dickens Extra Care Scheme in Barnard Castle.
• Arrive for certain shifts by 7am and follow a 7-day rota including days, evenings, nights and weekends.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with service users and colleagues.
• Undergo a comprehensive induction programme.
• Be prepared to undertake personal care duties.
• DBS check will be required.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Initiative

Flexibility

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Care

Job description

If you have elderly friends or relatives, you will understand how important independence is to them.

This role offers the opportunity to work in social care and contribute to a vital 24-hour community service within your local area. You will provide high-quality care and support to service users living at the Charles Dickens Extra Care Scheme in Barnard Castle.

We currently have three permanent opportunities available: two part-time posts (18.5 hours per week) and one full-time post (37 hours per week).

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

The post requires the successful candidate to be able to arrive at the scheme by 7am for some shifts and be able to work a rota of shifts over a 7 day period. There will be a variety of shifts covering days, evenings, nights and weekends.

We encourage you to contact Helen Reeve via email - [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

Please also take a look at our website to find out more about working in Adult Care.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

Applicants should have good communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrate a practical and common-sense approach, and be able to work on their own initiative following the completion of a comprehensive induction programme. You will also have the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with both service users and colleagues.

Previous experience is not essential; however, applicants must be willing to undertake personal care duties as part of the role.

Qualifications:

• NVQ Level 2 in Care, or a willingness to achieve this qualification within an agreed timescale if successful.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.

You will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

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 Adults 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 adults.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held week commencing 23rd November 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Attractive salaries
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service)
• Membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme
• Range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, 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 and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

#VPRS/161