Jobs

We seek a full-time, permanent Social Worker who is calm under pressure and passionate about improving the lives of service users.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

You will play a vital role in supporting safe, timely hospital discharges by ensuring responsive and effective service delivery when it matters most. Your work will directly contribute to positive outcomes for individuals transitioning from hospital to community care.

This role operates within a dynamic 8am–8pm, 7-day service. Flexibility is key, as you will be part of a rota that includes occasional weekend working and participation in on-call arrangements over Bank Holidays.

You’ll be joining a highly collaborative and supportive team that prides itself on strong partnerships. We have well-established relationships with health colleagues and work closely with integrated teams, as well as a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations—ensuring joined-up, person-centred care.

We encourage you to contact Cheryl Wiseman, email Cheryl.Wiseman@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You will need to demonstrate:

• Excellent time management and organisational skills;
• Experience and enthusiasm in working flexibly within a multi-disciplinary team;
• An ability to undertake holistic assessments of need, commission services, implement care plans, monitor and review.

Required qualifications: Professional Qualification: Degree in SW, Dip SW, CSS or CQSW or equivalent. Plus Social Work England registration or be applying for 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 week commencing 29th 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 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 (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2083/How-to-apply-for-a-job-with-us) 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 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 pro rata

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker