At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide exceptional care and support to young people and adults with complex needs.
- Company: Join a caring team in an Outstanding CQC service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Comprehensive training and support provided for your career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in care or relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
We are excited to be expanding our team of Home Support Workers within Bluebell apartments and Hawthron House, a dual scheme comprising of respite / short break care, and in two specialist flats, delivering a ‘step up / step down’ approach of care to young people and adults with complex learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum diagnosis and present with behaviours that challenge. This is a great opportunity for an individual who is enthusiastic and passionate about delivering exceptional care and support to service users and making a real difference to a person’s quality of life.
What is involved? The post requires the successful applicant to be able to arrive at Hawthorn House by 7am for some shifts and be able to work in a flexible manner on a rota of shifts over a 7 day period. There will be a variety of shifts covering days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Enhancements will be paid for evenings, nights and weekends. Please note the rota is designed to meet the needs of the service users, and hours worked will vary depending on the number of weeks on the rota but equates to contractual hours per week over the rota period.
The successful applicant will be working in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) Outstanding service as a member of a dedicated and caring team who strive to provide the very highest of standards of care and support to people with complex learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum diagnosis and present with behaviours that challenge. You will provide specialist care interventions using Positive Behaviour Support and other therapeutic ways of working to stabilise and address the person’s complex behaviours. All staff are supported with a comprehensive induction and training package that includes Positive Behaviour Support, administering medication, and moving and handling and you will receive regular supervisions.
What will I need? Applicants will have experience of working in a care environment / working with people with a learning disability / complex needs or behaviours that may challenge, and have the key attributes required such as being naturally caring and sensitive to people’s needs and the ability to build positive relationships with service users and colleagues.
Required qualifications: 4 GCSEs (9-4/A-C grades) or equivalent relevant qualification and /or a relevant Care qualification. Applicants who do not hold a relevant care qualification will be supported to achieve the ‘Care Certificate’ within a set timescale. Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.
The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
Our commitment to safeguarding: Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Adults Barred List and Children’s Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with adults, children or both.
Interviews will be held week commencing 13th July 2026. 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 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 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 RecruitmentAHS@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.
Home Support Worker in North East employer: North East Ambition
Join our dedicated team at Bluebell apartments and Hawthorn House, where we pride ourselves on providing exceptional care to individuals with complex learning disabilities and autism. As a Home Support Worker, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values your contributions, offers comprehensive training, and provides opportunities for professional growth within a CQC Outstanding service. Enjoy competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and flexible working arrangements, all while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Support Worker in North East
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Home Support Worker in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to North East Ambition:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Ambition! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Ambition
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
