We are looking for a motivated individual to work as part of the Home Finder Service which includes Fostering, Residential and Supported Accomodation, the role will involve securing stable homes for children and young people. As a service we are committed to ensuring that our children and young people live in homes where they feel happy, safe and aspirational for their futures. We are looking for a motivated individual to work as part of the Home Finder team to find Residential homes for children where their needs are met, and they can grow and thrive, and post 16 Supported accommodation. You will need to be child centred and passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and young people. These are rewarding and varied role’s and ideal for individuals who enjoy a challenge and working in a fast paced environment. WHAT IS INVOLVED? As a Home Finder Officer you will identify external residential homes and supported accommodation for children who are in our care. You will contribute to ensuring timely, effective, and cost-effective homes are sought for all Children and Young People to meet their needs through identifying in house resources and externally commissioned provisions. The team is very fast paced with a lot of competing demands and emergency work. It is a very rewarding role and is integral in a child’s journey. We encourage you to contact Emma Forster, Team Manager Residential and Lauren Burns Team Manager Supported Accommodation via email at emma.forster@durham.gov.uk lauren.burns@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role. WHAT WILL I NEED? Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject e.g. business administration, health and social care, or equivalent. Substantial experience in a relevant role. 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. INTERVIEWS Interviews will be held 22nd and 23rd December 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. 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 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. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website We welcome applications from disabled people and those who are or consider themselves to be neurodivergent. 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 VPRS/161