Job Description

Countywide Services are looking to appoint a Team Leader in the Supporting Solutions Service. We are expanding our team and are looking for a Team Leader who can help us develop, embed and drive forward our trauma informed practice with children, young people and families. We are looking for someone who has a solid understanding of therapeutic interventions. We are keen to appoint someone who is familiar with solution focused, strengths based, motivational methods of direct work, evidencing excellent outcomes.We look forward to hearing about this in your application and interview.We are looking for someone who is dynamic, motivated in ensuring the needs of children and young people are met, proactive in keeping families together and able to drive forward practice in relation to the Childrenxe2x80x99s Social Care reform.We particularly welcome applications from those who:

• Have a good understanding of child development and the impact of trauma

• Are Interested in child mental health

• Are experienced in therapeutic work

• Are empathic, reflective and analytical

• Are able to work effectively with children and their parents/carers to improve relationships

• Are child centred and committed to achieving better outcomes for children in care and children in need, including adopted children

• Highly competent in verbal and written communication skills

• Are resilient and work well under pressure

• Are able to work successfully across a number of teams and services

We look forward to hearing about this in your application and interview.WHAT IS INVOLVED?The Supporting Solutions Service offers intensive interventions to children and young people who are at risk of coming into the care of the local authority. Our aim is always to help keep children and young people at home, in the care of their families where it is safe to do so. We also offer support to children and young people who are in the care of local authority but have a plan to return to the care of their family or those who are living with foster carers and need intensive support to prevent a further move.As Team Leader you will:

• Provide direct supervision for staff working within the Supporting Solutions Service.

• Encourage working in partnership with children, young people and their families/carers to prevent breakdown of their identified living situation and provide support through periods of transitions.

• Assist in managing and assessing referrals into Supporting Solutions, co-ordination of allocation and monitoring of caseloads within the team.

• Assist in managing resources and contribute to the management, co-ordination and development of Supporting Solutions and the wider service. You will play a key role in training and driving innovation.

• Support the wider Supporting Solutions Service to provide a flexible high standard of care and support to young people to prevent children and young people entering care and those who are looked after in the crisis bed in accordance with the policies and procedures of Durham County Council. This will include providing a service to children, young people and families when required which will include evenings and weekends.

We encourage you to contact Lucy Armstrong via email at to arrange an informal discussion about the role.WHAT WILL I NEED?Level 4 Health and Social Care, equivalent or working towards qualification Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.REWARDS AND BENEFITSWe 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 work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).

• Hybrid working (home and office working).

• 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:SOCIAL MEDIAKeep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council!Follow us on InstagramLike us on FacebookEQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSIONWe 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:INTERVIEWSInterviews will be held on Wednesday 4th June 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 APPLYIn 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 xe2x80x98Person Specificationxe2x80x99 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 on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email atWe 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 AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

Durham County Council