Home Care and Support Worker

>If you have elderly friends or relatives, you'll understand the value they place on independence. As a Home Care and Support Worker, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference by helping people maintain that independence. This role offers the chance to work in social care and contribute to a vital 24-hour community service in your local area, providing care and support to residents within our Extra Care schemes. We have seven Extra Care schemes countywide:

• Harbour Lodge, Seaham
• Charles Dickens Lodge, Barnard Castle
• Chester View, Ouston
• Maple Court, Consett
• Southfield Lodge, Crook
• Sycamore Lodge, Spennymoor
• The Orchards, Brandon
We have opportunities across a number of locations, subject to current service needs. We encourage you to contact Helen Reeve on or via email at to arrange an informal discussion about the role and explore current vacancies. Extra Care is part of County Durham Care and Support - our dedicated in-house social care provider. Discover what it is like to work within County Durham Care and Support on our . 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 6.45am for some shifts and be able to work a rota of shifts over a 7 day period. There are 18.5 hour and 37 hour posts available and you will be required to follow a rota which consists of early, late, and night duties. The duration of shifts will vary depending on the rota. There are also casual posts available. Please note you will not work 18.5 hours or 37 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 including some Bank Holidays.

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. 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, 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. 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. OUR OFFER TO YOU


• 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 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