Specialist Support Worker

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

27 days annual leave

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a Specialist Support Worker for Deaf children and young people to join our Enhanced Learning Provisions in County Durham. You will support pupils in the classroom and in 1:1 or small group sessions, under the guidance of specialist teachers, with potential cross-site duties across primary, secondary, and outreach settings.

We look for qualifications in Childhood studies or related childcare frameworks, plus experience with Deaf pupils or SEND in mainstream

Qualifications

• NNEB, Cache Level 3, BTEC Diploma in Childhood Studies or NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Educational/Early Years and Education, or working towards these qualifications.
• Experience of, or a demonstrable awareness and interest in, supporting individuals or small groups of d/Deaf pupils within primary or secondary schools.
• Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities in a mainstream setting.
• Skills in British Sign Language or a willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils within the classroom as well as in 1:1 or small group specialist intervention situations, under the guidance of our specialist teachers.
• You will initially be based in our primary provision but may be asked to work flexibly across any one of our primary, secondary and outreach settings, as and when the need arises.
• Assist with the delivery of specialist interventions and contribute to safeguarding and inclusion.

Skills

Experience with Deaf pupils

BSL or willingness to learn

Education

NNEB/Cache Level 3/BTEC Diploma in Childhood Studies/NVQ Level 3 in Childcare

Job description

We areseekingto appoint aSpecialist Support Workerfor Deafchildrenand young peopleto workmainlywithinourEnhanced LearningProvisionsinCounty Durham.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

In this highly rewarding and specialist role, you willbe responsible forsupporting pupils within the classroom as well as in 1:1 or small groupspecialist interventionsituations,under the guidance ofourspecialist teachers.You will initially bebased inourprimaryprovisionbut may be askedto work flexibly across any one of ourprimary, secondaryand outreachsettings, as and when the need arises.

For further information about the post please contact Gemma Scott(Deaf and Hearing Support Team Lead)on07766070042or via email [e-mail]

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You will have:

• NNEB, CacheLevel 3,BTEC Diploma inChildhoodStudiesorNVQ level 3 in Childcare and Educational/Early Years and Education, or working towards these qualifications.
• Experienceof, or a demonstrable awareness and interest in, supporting individuals or small groups ofd/Deafpupils within primary or secondary schools
• Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needsand/or Disabilitiesin a mainstream setting
• Skills in British Sign Languageor awillingness to learn

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

Optional

If successful, 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 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, adults, or both.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 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

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a 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, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website

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.

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