Are you passionate about improving outcomes for young children and ensuring every child has the best start in life? We are seeking an experienced and committed Early Years professional to join our Early Years SEND, Equalities and Inclusion Team as an Early Years Children in Care caseworker, working closely with the Virtual School to support our youngest children in care. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in promoting educational achievement, raising aspirations and helping vulnerable children overcome barriers to learning.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will work with early years settings, schools, social workers, foster carers and families to ensure children in care thrive within their early years education provision. You will coordinate and quality assure Personal Education Plans (PEPs), ensuring they are ambitious, child-centred and completed within statutory timescales whilst monitoring take-up and attendance, progress, attainment and transition arrangements for children in your caseload.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
- An NVQ Level 4 or equivalent qualification in a relevant early years field.
- Significant experience working with children aged 0-5 in educational settings.
- A strong understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Experience of working collaboratively with families and multi‑agency professionals.
- Knowledge of the challenges faced by children in care and vulnerable learners.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and organisational skills.
- The ability to analyse information, monitor outcomes and produce high‑quality reports.
- A commitment to inclusion, equality and improving life chances for children.
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.
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 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 children.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on 29th September 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.
- attractive salaries
- 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
- range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable
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.
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