Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area We have opportunities available to join the casual pool to work as and when required to provide additional support. The Role As a Residential Worker, you will be responsible for undertaking all aspects of caring and supporting our young people who live in the home, as any parent would. For example, transporting them to school, college or appointments, making their home a clean, warm and cosy environment, cooking meals and encouraging participation in local activities and hobbies. You will adopt an aspirational approach to support and develop the Children’s Homes Service to achieve its vision of providing high quality care and support to children, young people and their families as detailed in the Children’s Homes Statement of Purpose. Our Values Durham Cares incorporates our core values and strategic objectives, shaping our work and the high-quality care we provide for young people, as well as the culture across the Children’s Homes Service. Our ‘Durham’ values - Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset are at the heart of everything we do for both our young people and our teams. What you will need We are looking for child centred practitioners with experience of working with children and young people with a range of needs either in a voluntary or professional capacity. Candidates should have excellent interpersonal skills, ability to cope with challenging and stressful situations and sensitively deal with emotional distress. You should be emotionally resilient, reliable and flexible in your approach to work. Our children and young people have often experienced trauma. We need you to offer them understanding through meaningful relationships aimed at keeping them safe and able to enjoy the world around them. We need you to listen to them and to consider their views, wishes and feelings. The role can be challenging and requires dedication and resolve however, the personal rewards are immense. The essential qualifications for the post are: GCSE Grade A – C in Maths and English or a qualification that is equivalent or higher e.g. Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare Please note to be shortlisted for interview, you must evidence in your application that you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the person specification for the role. The role will involve working a range of shifts including weekdays, evenings, weekends and sleep in duties as and when required. Our offer to you You will benefit from a comprehensive programme of training to support you to develop in your role. We offer competitive rewards and benefits to help you perform at your best, including: 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays), rising to 32 days after 5 years' continuous local government service Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with top-up options Wellbeing Portal and Employee Assistance Scheme Learning and development opportunities, including professional qualifications and mentoring Employee Benefits Portal with discounts at major retailers Discounted gym membership Staff-led networks (Race Equality, LGBT, Carers, Armed Forces, Menopause) Trade Union membership Salary sacrifice schemes, such as car leasing Take a closer look at our Rewards and Benefits You can contact us via Lauren.Gibson@durham.gov.uk / Kim.Ternent@durham.gov.uk if you would like any additional information on the posts or have any queries. It is anticipated that interviews will be held on 14 November 2025. In accordance with Durham County Council’s requirements, candidates must be a minimum of 22 years of age or above to apply. The successful applicant for this post will be required to apply for a Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure. VPRS/161