Jobs

WHAT WE DO MATTERS
The team at Aycliffe Secure Centre provide a caring, trauma informed and aspirational environment for young people aged between 10 and 18.  Our young people are accommodated under a welfare or criminal justice order and have faced many adversities, including neglect, trauma, relationship breakdown and criminal proceedings. As a result, you will be working with young people with complex needs and behaviours including violence and aggression.  Our job is to provide them with a safe and caring home and to support them to develop the relationships and skills that will help them towards a positive and successful future.
 
The Multidisciplinary team at the Centre work collaboratively together and with external professionals and families to create an experience for young people that results in a successful and safe transition into a community home.
 
Find out more about our exceptional facilities and testimonies from our team at: https://www.durham.gov.uk/aycliffesecurecentre
 
 
WHAT YOU DO MATTERS
Becoming a Senior Residential Worker at Aycliffe Secure Centre is an incredibly rewarding step in your career. The role is both physically and emotionally challenging, but the impact you make is truly meaningful. You will play a key part in improving the lives and futures of our young people, making every day purposeful and fulfilling.
 
You will get the opportunity to set the standards and evaluate achievements by working in partnership with the rest of the internal team, young people, their families and other professionals.

In this role you will have the opportunity to  :

•  Motivate, develop and support team members to maximise their effectiveness
• Ensure our young people make progress towards positive outcomes in relation to health and wellbeing.
• Set outstanding standards of practice outlined within the Children’s Homes regulation 2015. 

WHO YOU ARE MATTERS
Your life and works experiences are valuable to us and we are looking for someone who has:

• experience of working with young people and can successfully engage with them
• experience of working with challenging behaviour and sensitive issues in a trauma informed way
• strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and motivate others 

 
Our Senior Residential Workers are required to hold a Level 3 Diploma in Child Care (or equivalent).
 
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
 
 
EVERY SHIFT MATTERS
Our young people receive care 24/7, so this role involves working a rotating shift pattern, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts are designed to support a healthy work–life balance, with early shifts running from 7:30am to 2:45pm and late shifts from 2:15pm to 11:00pm. A typical rota includes a mix of early and late shifts during the week, with every other weekend on duty. You will also be required to undertake an average of one to two sleep-in duties per month.

YOUR DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
Your role will start with our comprehensive induction programme which includes a range of formal and informal learning opportunities so you can carry out your role safely, effectively and with confidence.  There are also excellent ongoing training and development opportunities as well as dedicated one-to-one time to reflect upon workplace practice and access to specialist support.
 
 
YOU MATTER TO US
The difference we make to the lives of our young people is extremely valuable and we want everyone who contributes to that to feel appreciated.

As a valued member of the team you can expect 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) and membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits-if-you-work-for-us)

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
 

INTERVIEWS
Interviews have been scheduled for week commencing 11th May 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.

 
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 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. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2083/How-to-apply-for-a-job-with-us)
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@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.
 
 
CONNECT WITH US
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Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers
Visit our website https://www.durham.gov.uk/jobsandcareerswithus
 

#VPRS/161

Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £32,597 - £36,363 plus allowances and enhancements

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant