Please note, this position is ringfenced for care experienced young people who receive support from Durham Children’s Social Care.
Earn. Learn. Qualify.
Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, develop and be the best version of yourself? Then why not build the foundations of your career with an Apprenticeship at Durham County Council.
Why choose Durham County Council?
* We offer a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement – find out more information here
* We encourage a great work/life balance! Many of our roles operate under our ‘hybrid working’ policy, which gives you the opportunity of flexible, home and office working.
* We have a successful track record in supporting our apprentices to secure permanent employment, with 3 in 4 apprentices securing a further role with us.
* We have been recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer!
* As a Disability Confident Leader, and a member of the North East England Rainbow Alliance, we are committed to equality and diversity in the workplace – find out more here
* You will learn from skilled professionals whilst being supported to study towards a recognised qualification with a college/university/training provider.
* We will support you every step of the way, with a dedicated Mentor, the option of a buddy for disabled new employees and great networking opportunities with other apprentices.
Durham County Council is a fantastic place to work but if you need convincing, we’ve asked some of our apprentices to share their own stories at Apprenticeships at Durham County Council. You can also hear from John Hewitt, our Chief Executive, and how his career started with an apprenticeship.
Apprentice (Youth Support Worker)
Do you have the passion to champion young people’s ideas and experiences?
In this exciting role, you’ll work closely with practitioners, children and young people to create meaningful projects, plan fun and engaging events, and be involved in groups like the Children in Care Council and Experts through Experience. You’ll be part of a team committed to including everyone, celebrating achievements and ensuring young people shape the services that support them.
You’ll help young people share their ideas and experiences, make sure decision-makers hear their voices, and support staff to embed young people’s views in everyday practice. Your ideas, experiences and enthusiasm will help create real change for children and young people across County Durham.
What qualification will I gain?
You will study towards the Youth Support Worker Level 3 standard with a chosen training provider.
What will I need?
A passion for children & young people’s voices to be heard and acted upon – working with the service to come up with solutions that work. You must also have good communication and ICT skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
Please look at the attached person specification to check that you meet the essential criteria.
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.
Further information?
We encourage you to contact Lee Peacock, SNR Participation and Engagement Practitioner via email Lee.Peacock@durham.gov.uk if you have any questions about this opportunity.
Support Available
We are running a series of virtual sessions via MS Teams to provide support on how to complete your application form, if you would like to attend a session, please complete the following form
Durham Children’s Social Care link in with the National Care Leavers Benchmarking who run an apprentice support network called Care-X
They are running an event on 16th April aimed at Care Experienced Apprentices, Potential apprentices and Supporting Professionals. Care Experienced Individuals who are starting, recently completed, or thinking about taking on an apprenticeship, as well as traineeships or work experience are welcome to join the network and attend our events with their supporting professionals. Sign up here
DurhamWorks
If you are aged 16-24 living in County Durham and not in education, employment, or training, you can take advantage of the help and support available from DurhamWorks. This dedicated programme works with you to remove any barriers preventing you from progressing. Visit DurhamWorks
Employability Durham
If you are aged 25 and over, unemployed and live in County Durham, Employability Durham can offer you help and support to get back into work or start your own business. Visit EmployabilityDurham
DurhamEnable
If you are 18+, have a neurodivergence or disability and fit the criteria, DurhamEnable offers dedicated Job Coaching support from pre-application to post employment. Helping disabled people get and keep the right jobs for them. Visit Durhamenable
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.
HOW TO APPLY
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
CONNECT WITH US
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook
Visit our website