Job Coach Assistant

Durham County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Job Coach Assistant to work on the Supported Internship programme, providing in-work support to young people. The ideal candidate will contribute to support plans, assist in establishing workplace relationships, and have a Level 2 qualification in a relevant field. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

27 days holiday per year, increasing to 32 days

Option to purchase additional days off

Hybrid working arrangements

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Benefits Portal

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting people in local educational or employment settings.
• Able to demonstrate empathy with the concept of social inclusion.
• Experience of recording and reporting information.

Responsibilities

• Deliver in-work support for interns in their placements.
• Contribute to delivery plans and support plans.
• Establish working relationships with people with disabilities.

Skills

Empathy with social inclusion

Experience in education or care settings

Reporting and recording information

Education

Level 2 qualification in relevant field

Job description

Overview

We are seeking to appoint a Job Coach Assistant to join our Supported Internship programme provided by DurhamLearn and DurhamEnable until 31st July 2026.

DurhamEnable and DurhamLearn work in partnership to provide a Supported Internship programme for young people (16-24) with an Education, Health, and Care Plan. Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The core aim of a supported internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by expert in-work support. Supported interns are enrolled and supported by a learning provider, in this case DurhamLearn, but spend most of their learning time – typically around 70% – in a workplace. The internship provides the opportunity for young people to achieve sustained, paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace. Supported interns are in full-time education and their supported internship work placements are part of their course.

The 2025/26 academic year has seen an increase in enrolment onto the Supported Internship programme with up to 15 interns accessing the DurhamLearn work-based study programme. This is an exciting time to join the team and work on the Supported Internship programme.

What is involved

The role of the Job Coach Assistant will work on Durham County Council’s Supported Internship programme, a partnership approach between DurhamEnable, the Supported Employment service and DurhamLearn, the adult learning and skills service.

The role will work on the Supported Internship programme, delivering in-work support for supported interns in their designated internship placements. You will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of supported intern delivery plans and in-work support plans. You will provide support in local communities and workplaces to establish working relationships with people with disabilities and mental health issues as well as their families/support networks, internal and external partners, and employers. You will work alongside Job Coaches and the In-Work Support and Training Officer to deliver support plans for both the supported intern and host employer.

For further information about the post please contact James Merrington at [e-mail] or Victoria Russell at [e-mail]

What will I need

Experience of supporting people in their local education, care/community, voluntary or employment settings; Able to demonstrate empathy with the concept of social inclusion and the social model of disability; Experience of recording and reporting of information.

• Level 2 qualification in a relevant field such as health and social care, learning support assistant, peer mentoring or IAG OR significant experience within supported employment.
• Additional requirements as listed in the person specification and stated criteria.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look here.

Hybrid Working

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look at our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Interviews

Interviews to be held on 8 and 9 October 2025.

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.

How to Apply

In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email [e-mail]

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