Supported Accommodation Worker

Durham County Council; North East; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Council is creating a new Supported Accommodation Service for young people taking steps toward independence. You’ll help them learn to manage a home, access education, and develop life skills, while acting as a positive role model and mentor.

The role emphasizes safeguarding, equality, and flexible teamwork, with DBS checks required and a commitment to a safe, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (A-C) or equivalent/higher qualification.
• A Level 3 qualification relevant to working with young people.
• Experience of working with children and young people with complex needs, professionally or via volunteering.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible approach and willingness to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Help a young person learn to manage their own home.
• Support access to education, training and employment opportunities.
• Encourage life skills such as budgeting, cooking and managing appointments.
• Build trusting relationships to help them feel safe and understood.
• Be a positive role model, mentor and advocate.
• Celebrate achievements and support through challenges.
• Help identify strengths, ambitions and future goals.
• Every conversation and achievement can change a young person’s life.

Education

GCSE English & Maths (A-C) or equivalent

A Level 3 qualification relevant to working with young people

Strong communication & interpersonal skills

Flexible approach; team player

Resilient, patient and compassionate

Job description

Be the Person Who Helps a Young Person Believe in Their Future.

Every young person deserves someone who believes in them.

Someone who listens when life feels tough, celebrates their achievements, helps them learn new skills, and reminds them that their future can be bright.

In County Durham, we’re creating an exciting new Supported Accommodation Service for young people taking their next steps towards independence. We’re looking for caring, committed people who want to be part of something special and help young people feel safe, valued, confident and ready for adulthood.

This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to become a trusted adult in a young person’s life and help them achieve things they never thought possible.

If you believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

• Helping a young person learn to manage their own home.
• Supporting them to access education, training and employment opportunities.
• Encouraging them to develop important life skills such as budgeting, cooking and managing appointments.
• Building trusting relationships that help them feel safe and understood.
• Being a positive role model, mentor and advocate.
• Celebrating achievements and supporting young people through challenges.
• Helping young people identify their strengths, ambitions and aspirations for the future.
• Every conversation, every achievement and every act of encouragement can change the direction of a young person’s life.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

We’re looking for people who genuinely care about young people and want to help them succeed.

You may already have experience supporting children and young people, or perhaps you’ve developed valuable skills through volunteering or other caring roles.

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who:

• Believes in the potential of every young person.
• Can build positive and trusting relationships.
• Is resilient, patient and compassionate.
• Acts with kindness, integrity and professionalism.
• Can support young people through both challenges and successes.
• Wants to make a meaningful difference every day.

You’ll also have:

• GCSE Grade A-C in English and Maths or equivalent/higher qualification.
• A Level 3 qualification relevant to working with young people, or a willingness to work towards this.
• Experience of working with children and young people with complex needs, either professionally or in a voluntary capacity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A flexible approach and willingness to work as part of a team.

Applicants must be aged 22 or over.Applicants must hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle (employees with a disability must have access to suitable mobility support).

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.

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 and 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 children, adults, or both

OUR VALUES

• Dignity - treating everyone with respect and compassion.
• Unity - working together to achieve the best outcomes.
• Responsibility - supporting young people to make positive choices.
• Heart - showing kindness, care and commitment.
• Aspiration - helping young people dream big and achieve their goals.
• Mindset - believing that growth, learning and success are possible for everyone.

These values underpin every aspect of our service and leadership approach.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held week commencing 2nd November 26.

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

This is a role where you’ll see the real impact of your work every day. In return, you’ll receive:

• Comprehensive training and ongoing development opportunities.
• The chance to help shape an exciting new service from the very beginning.
• A supportive and experienced team environment.
• Career progression opportunities within Children’s Services.
• Access to Durham County Council’s extensive rewards and benefits package, take a closer look via Rewards and Benefits.
• Enhanced payments for shift work, weekends and sleep-in duties.

Full-Time 37 hour and Part-Time 18.5 hour contracts available (covering a range of shifts). The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff work a range of shifts including weekdays, evenings, weekends and sleep-ins, providing flexibility through a planned rota. Hybrid working does not apply to this role.

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.

READY TO CHANGE A LIFE?

The young people we support need adults who care, believe in them and are prepared to walk alongside them on their journey towards independence.

If you want a career where what you do truly matters, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Every young person deserves someone in their corner. Could that be you?

We would encourage you to contact us to arrange a discussion via [e-mail] to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

RIGHT TO WORK AND VISA INFORMATION

All offers of employment are subject to the council meeting its legal obligations under UK immigration law. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK at the point an offer is made. This post is remunerated at £31,015 per annum. UK immigration rules set minimum salary and other eligibility requirements for visa sponsorship. It is unlikely that this role will be eligible for skilled worker visa sponsorship. Whether an applicant meets these requirements depends on their individual circumstances, including any existing permission to work. Applicants who may require a visa are encouraged to check the current UKVI rules before applying.