Activity Support Assistant - Children's Short Breaks (VN073)

Base salary of £19,661.15 rising to £20,241.18 with increments

Boost your salary with sleep-ins at around £90 a shift

Free meals provided at work

Over 7 weeks’ holiday a year

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Instant access to up to 40% of your salary as you earn it

You’ll be paid and supported to achieve your Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Further specialist training to develop your career

Employee discounts on over 130,000 shops and entertainment venues, including Tesco, Argos, cinemas and holidays

Access to Blue Light Card, the discount service for emergency and social care staff

Employee Assistance Programme to support health and wellbeing

Refer-a-friend scheme – receive £300

About the role
Our Short Breaks service is set within our well-equipped North East Centre for Autism in the beautiful County Durham countryside near Newton Aycliffe. It offers personalised breaks to children and young people – everything from after-school care, weekend activities, holiday clubs and overnight stays to extended holidays.

Working independently and as part of a team, you’ll support children to access a range of fun and educational activities, both on site and out and about in the community. Whatever their passions, you’ll help them fulfil their potential and develop their independence.

For a full job description and person specification, see the attached document.


About you
While we value experience, it is not essential to have previously worked in health and social care, or with autistic people. Our comprehensive induction, training and mentoring will give you all the skills and tools you need to thrive in your career.

All that we ask is that you are a good team player with a can-do attitude, drive and resilience for what can be a demanding role. You should be friendly and approachable with good communication skills, enabling you to build positive, trusting relationships with the children you support.

Our staff come from all walks of life, and bring their experiences, interests and skills – be that cooking, sports, the outdoors, art or crafts – with them to enrich children’s lives. If you’re seeking a rewarding job and want to make a genuine difference, this is the role for you.