Jobs

Do you have experience of working with people who have dual sensory loss?  Are you a Social Worker or a Visual Impaired Rehabilitation Worker?
 
We have a rare opportunity to join us and contribute to making a difference to individuals and families. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to be part of a countywide Sensory support team providing an effective social care service to people with sensory loss.
 
You will have a good understanding of the issues regarding this specialist area and be passionate about making a difference.
 
Your role will ensure that individual social care needs are fully assessed, delivered and monitored in line with agreed plans.
 
We are committed to your development and offer opportunities for you to attain advanced practitioner status. 

WHAT IS INVOLVED? 

• Based within an area office in the Sensory Support team you will complete assessments of need under the Care Act and design individually tailored packages of care to meet assessed, eligible needs.
• You will provide specialist equipment, advice and information to people with dual sensory loss. 
• You will have an opportunity to help further work with partner agencies to develop specific services for people with a dual sensory loss.
• You will promote a wider awareness of the issues of dual sensory loss and provide specialist knowledge in support of joint working with colleagues and partners.
• You will support the development of systems to monitor the delivery of services within budgetary limits and in line with objectives and specifications, to provide ongoing support for service users and their carers. 
• You will receive specialist supervision and training support and will work with team members to carry out assessments and to develop and deliver a quality service.

We encourage you to contact Daniella McCluskey via email at Daniella.mccluskey@durham.gov.uk or Lesley Brooks via email at Lesley.brooks@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  
 
WHAT WILL I NEED?
 
You should have experience of working with people who have a hearing or visual loss, or dual sensory loss and have excellent communication skills.
 
You will have EITHER a:

• Degree/Diploma (or equivalent qualification) in Rehabilitation Studies with visual impairment 

OR

•  Degree in SW, Dip SW, CSS, CQSW or equivalent qualification (SW England registration)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  Adults 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, adults, or both.
 
INTERVIEWS
 
Interviews will be held on Week Commencing 1st June 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. 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 and neurodivergent 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.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support 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 RecruitmentAHS@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.
 
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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 9 - Pre Progression (£35,412 - £39,152) - Grade 11 - Post Progression (£40,777 - £45,091)

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker