Support Worker - Darlington

Keys Children; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

DBS Paid

QCF qualifications support

Fair & competitive pay

Blue Light Card

Referral bonus

Care First EAP

Circle wellbeing program

NEST Pension

Long Service Awards

Cycle to Work

Full induction & onboarding

Job summary

Keys Group is seeking a compassionate Residential Support Worker in Darlington, County Durham, to support young people aged 16–18 in a semi-independent living setting. The role involves sleep-in shifts after school hours, with a rolling rota, and requires a full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle.

You will help young people develop essential life skills, build confidence, and prepare for full independence, while maintaining a safe, supportive home environment and keeping accurate

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years or over (due to regulatory requirements).
• Experience working with young people or within the care/child sector (preferred).
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support to young people in a semi-independent living environment.
• Promote independence through guidance with education, employment, finances, and daily living skills.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
• Maintain a safe, supportive, and structured home environment.
• Complete accurate records, reports, and support plans.
• Work collaboratively with external professionals, families, and internal teams.
• Safeguard and protect the welfare of all young people in your care.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Safeguarding awareness

Empathy

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Darlington, County Durham

Working Hours:

24 hours per week

Location:

Darlington, County Durham

Job Category:

Care and Support

Region:

County Durham

Business Area:

Package Description

LOCATION: Darlington

HOURS: Up to 24 hours per week

SHIFT PATTERNS:Monday-Friday 3PM (sleep-in finishing at 9AM) & Saturday-Sunday 7PM (sleep-in finishing at 8AM) on a rolling rota.

REQUIREMENTS:Full UK Driving License with access to a vehicle - essential

Keys provide innovative care and education services to children and young people who have complex needs, emotional and behavioural difficulties. We try and make every day extraordinary for the children we care for and support, because we believe in every single one of them. It's an exciting time to join us as we expand and grow our teams in the region.

We are looking for a compassionate, reliable, and dedicated Residential Support Worker to join our team, supporting young people aged 16–18 in a semi-independent group setting. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about helping young people develop essential life skills, build confidence, and prepare for full independence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day support to young people in a semi-independent living environment.
• Promote independence through guidance with education, employment, finances, and daily living skills.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
• Maintain a safe, supportive, and structured home environment.
• Complete accurate records, reports, and support plans.
• Work collaboratively with external professionals, families, and internal teams.
• Safeguard and protect the welfare of all young people in your care.

Requirements:

• Must be 21 years or over (due to regulatory requirements).
• Experience working with young people or within the care/child sector (preferred).
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.

About You:

• Experience supporting children and young people with challenging needs (desired).
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and behaviour management.
• Calm, resilient, and confident in managing challenging situations.
• Ability to build trust and positive, supportive relationships.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and patient.
• DBS Check Paid - Your Enhanced DBS check, is fully covered by Keys Group, along with any required renewals.
• Qualifications & Career Development - Unlock your potential with our support! We offer a variety of QCF qualifications, providing opportunities for professional growth and opening doors to further career advancement.
• Fair & Competitive Pay - At Keys Group, we pride ourselves on fair and competitive pay. As a Real Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all, with enhanced pay scales that transparently recognise your qualifications and experience.
• Blue Light Card- at High Street retailers, days out, gifts, holidays and even when buying a car, available via a Blue Light card that you will have access to as a Health and Social Care Employee
• Referral Bonus - Refer talented individuals to Keys Group and split a £500 bonus when they successfully join and complete their probation.
• Care First - We care about your well-being and that's why we're pleased to offer our employees an Employee Assistance Program. If you need someone to talk to, the EAP is here for you - confidentially and at no cost.
• Circle - Your hub for wellbeing, engagement and discounts. From tailored exercise advice and healthy eating tips to counselling and savings on everyday purchases, Circle has you covered.
• NEST Pension Scheme - Save for your retirement with a matched contribution of up to 3% from Keys Group.
• Long Service Awards - It's our way of saying a heartfelt thank you for everything you do.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - You could save up to 42% on a brand-new bike and accessories.
• Full Induction & Introductory Programme - Begin your journey with a paid-for comprehensive onboarding to set you up for success

About Keys:

Keys Care provides safe, supportive homes for adults and children, offering tailored services and specialist support to help people thrive. Through our Connected Support approach, we empower individuals to build stability, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are also committed to supporting the Armed Forces community through our Armed Forces Covenant.

Eligible candidates from military backgrounds are guaranteed an interview – please include details of your service on your CV.

Please note that due to the vulnerable nature of the people that we support, all applicants must be over the age of 21

*Dependant on experience and qualifications