At a Glance
- Tasks: Support elderly individuals by providing personal care and promoting their independence.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Durham County Council, enhancing community care across multiple locations.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, full training, career development, and generous holiday entitlements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience in social care.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a willingness to learn and care for others.
- Other info: Guaranteed interview for applicants meeting essential criteria; diverse and inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 33600 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Extra Care services which are located at seven sites across the county located at Ouston, Consett, Seaham, Barnard Castle, Spennymoor, Crook and Brandon.
If you have elderly friends and relatives, you will understand the value they place on independence.
This role will give you the opportunity to work in social care and contribute to a vital and valuable 24 hour community service in your local area, by providing care and support to service users within one of ourExtra Care Schemes.
We currenlty have an 18.5 hour vacancy within Chester View Extra Care Scheme, Ouston.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
Home Care and Support Workers follow an individual\’s support plan to deliver person centred care to promote and encourage independence and to support their health and wellbeing.
The role is varied and includes personal care; bathing, dressing, continence care, mobility support, nutrition and dietary needs, administering medication and ensuring that their medical, physical and emotional needs are met.
The post requires successful candidates to be able to arrive at the scheme by 7am for some shifts and be able to work a rota of shifts over a 7 day period.
You will be contracted to 18.5 hours and required to follow a rota which consists of early, late, and night duties. The duration of shifts varies from 3 hours to 9.5 hours.
Please note you will not work 18.5 hours each week. The rota is designed to meet the needs of service users, and hours worked per week will vary from 12- 28.5 hours depending on the number of weeks on the rota, but equates to 18.5 hours per week over the rota period
There will be a variety of shifts covering days, evenings, nights and weekends.
Benefits include:
Induction into the service and the role,
– Working as part of a team within a building,
– Support from the senior team and Supervisor on site,
– Structured career path including professional development,
– Guaranteed hours with the opportunity of working extra hours,
– Full training, equipment and uniform provided,
We encourage you to contact Angela Stamp Telephone 0191 4923413 or email angela.stamp2@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will require good communication skills, be able to demonstrate a common-sense approach, work on your own initiative after completion of an extensive induction, along with the ability to build positive relationships with service users and colleagues.
No previous experience required however applicants should be willing to undertake personal care.
Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Care or willingness to achieve within a set timescale
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
REWARD ANDBENEFITS
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 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: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/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 https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers
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: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held week commencing 25th August, 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.
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 our Recruitment Helpdesk on03000 26 27 27 (option 1 AHS), or the Recruitment Team via email recruitmentAHS@durham.gov.uk
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. https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL
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Home Care and Support Worker employer: Durham County Council
Contact Detail:
Durham County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Care and Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the elderly and how to support their independence. Understanding the common challenges they face will help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to providing quality care.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former Home Care and Support Workers to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the role and help you articulate your understanding of the job during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your ability to work flexible hours, as the role requires a varied shift pattern. Highlight any previous experience where you've successfully managed your time or adapted to changing schedules.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by preparing examples of how you've built positive relationships in past roles. This is crucial in social care, so be ready to share specific instances where your interpersonal skills made a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Home Care and Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of a Home Care and Support Worker. Highlight your understanding of person-centred care and how you can promote independence for service users.
Tailor Your Application: When filling out the application form, ensure that you specifically address the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification. Use examples from your experience or skills that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your communication skills, ability to work independently, and any experience you have in providing personal care. If you have qualifications like NVQ Level 2 in Care, make sure to mention them prominently.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham County Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Home Care and Support Worker. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with the specific tasks mentioned, such as personal care and supporting health and wellbeing.
✨Show Empathy and Communication Skills
This role requires excellent communication and the ability to build positive relationships. During the interview, share examples of how you've effectively communicated in past experiences, especially in sensitive situations.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The job involves working various shifts, including early mornings and weekends. Be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different schedules, highlighting any previous experience in similar roles.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and support available for new staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.