Jobs

Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham

Are you ready to be part of something truly transformative?

We’re launching The Beacon, a pioneering short-term Children’s Home in Seaham, as part of Durham County Council’s Keeping Families Together initiative. This is your chance to help shape a service that’s not only innovative but deeply rooted in compassion, resilience, and hope.

About The Beacon

The Beacon is more than a home—it’s a lifeline. Designed to offer planned respite care, it supports children and their families to stay together by providing a safe, nurturing environment where strengths are built, and futures are shaped. As part of a wider multi-agency network, The Beacon is a key component in our holistic approach to family support.

We’ve secured a unique, purpose-designed property in Seaham to deliver this forward-thinking service—and now we need passionate Residential Workers to bring it to life.
 
The Role

As a Residential Worker, you’ll be at the heart of our mission. You’ll:

• Provide day-to-day care and emotional support to children during short stays
• Help create a warm, welcoming home environment
• Support children with school, appointments, and hobbies
• Work closely with families and professionals to promote stability and resilience
• Be a key part of a service that aims to reduce the number of children entering care

You’ll work alongside a dedicated team and the Registered Manager to deliver a service that’s as aspirational as it is essential. 

We encourage you to contact Rob Hamer or Greg Bevan to arrange an informal discussion about the role. Rob.Hamer@durham.gov.uk / Greg.Bevan@durham.gov.uk

Why Join Us?

• Make a real difference in the lives of children and families
• Earn up to £5,000 extra through enhancements and sleep-in payments
• Flexible shift patterns including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins
• Be part of a values-driven culture rooted in Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset
• Join a service that’s innovative, supportive, and deeply rewarding

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking child-centred, emotionally resilient individuals with:

• Experience working with children or young people (voluntary or professional)
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage challenging situations
• A commitment to building meaningful, therapeutic relationships
• GCSE Grade A – C in Maths and English or a qualification that is equivalent or higher
• Hold or have a willingness to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 18 months 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

This is more than a job - it’s a calling. If you’re ready to be part of a service that’s changing lives and keeping families together, we want to hear from you.

Apply now and help us light the way forward at The Beacon.

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 

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 look at our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here.

Interviews

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on 18 / 19 November 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.  

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.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email at RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
 
Removal and Lodgings

Removal, lodging and separation expenses may be available to the successful candidate if at the time of application for appointment their place of residence is outside the administrative area of County Durham and more than 30 miles in a straight line from their new administrative centre, along with several other criteria for eligibility.
 
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. 

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.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.