Do you have a performance background or enjoy working with children? Do you thrive on helping young people grow in confidence and learn new skills through performing arts? If so, this is an exciting opportunity to do what you love and support our Youth Theatre offer in venues across Durham. WHAT IS INVOLVED? Gala Youth Theatre launched in 2023, providing young people aged four to 18 with a wide range of opportunities to improve confidence, develop performance and creative skills, and make new friends. We extended the offer to Bishop Auckland Town Hall in 2024, running sessions, for children aged four to twelve, and a new youth theatre will open at Empire Consett in September 2025. The offer is led by professional practitioners and participants learn about the process of theatre making whilst having fun. Alongside these weekly drama sessions, there are performance opportunities, visits from theatre specialists and trips to see shows throughout the term. We are seeking chaperones who will look after the safety and welfare of children while taking part in these sessions and productions, ensuring a safe and fun environment is maintained. For this responsible position, experience in a similar role would be desirable, and we are looking for those with first-class people skills, and a responsible, friendly and helpful attitude. The post is to work on a casual basis as and when required, working across all three theatres and will require some evening and weekend working. We encourage you to contact Dawn Layland via email at Dawn.Layland@durham.gov.uk, or by tel. 03000 267 626 to arrange an informal discussion about the role. WHAT WILL I NEED? We are looking for passionate, and innovative applicants who are customer-focussed, resilient, and organised, with a flexible approach to working. You will need similar experience in a relevant field to ensure the safety and welfare of children whilst taking part in activities and production. 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. REWARDS AND BENEFITS We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best: Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service. Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year. Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year). Hybrid working (home and office working). Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS. Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme. Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring. Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers). Discounted DCC gym membership. Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause. Trade Union membership. A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: Rewards-and-benefits SOCIAL MEDIA Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council! Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook HYBRID WORKING (if applicable) Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process. Take a closer look: Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce INTERVIEWS 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. HOW TO APPLY In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal. 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. If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email RecruitmentResources@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 26 27 27 selecting option 3 for Resources. We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice. VPRS/161