Jobs

Are you passionate about making a lifelong difference for children and families?

Do you want to be part of a supportive, motivated, and forward-thinking adoption team?
 
We are excited to be recruiting three skilled, experienced and enthusiastic Social Workers to join our Adoption Service in Durham: 

2 X Full time (37 hours) permanent posts
1 X Part-time (18.5 hours) permanent post

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to delivering high-quality adoption practice within a service that truly values relationship-based social work, creativity, and reflective practice.
 
 
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
 
As a Social Worker in our adoption team, you will:

• Deliver high-quality assessments of prospective adopters
• Support children through their adoption journey with sensitivity, skill and compassion
• Work closely with families to provide robust support pre- and post-placement
• Contribute to permanency planning and multi-agency working
• Bring fresh ideas, professional curiosity and a commitment to best practice 

Our service is committed to traumai nformed approaches and meaningful direct work with children. You will be supported by experienced managers, strong peer networks, and opportunities for professional development.
 
We encourage you to contact the Adoption Team Manager Sarah Coleman via email at sarah.coleman@durham.gov.uk  or Julie Sixsmith Team Manager via email at Julie.Sixsmith@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  
 
 
WHAT WILL I NEED?

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Are a qualified Social Worker (SWE registered)
• Have experience in children’s social care (adoption or permanence experience is an advantage but not essential)
• Are passionate about improving outcomes for children
• Have strong assessment, communication and relationship-building skills
• Work well as part of a collaborative and supportive team

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, 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.

 
INTERVIEWS
 
Interviews will be held on 2nd April 2026 at Spectrum 8, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, SR7 7TT.
 
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. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website 

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 people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
 
 
HOW TO APPLY 
 
We welcome applications from disabled people and those who are or consider themselves to be neurodivergent.

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.

Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
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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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker