Jobs

Join us as we strengthen the heart of our hospital’s social work service. We’re seeking a supportive, skilled leader who can guide a dedicated team through complex situations with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

You’ll lead a passionate, forward-thinking hospital social work team that’s committed to delivering safe, compassionate, person-centred support for patients and their families. We’re looking for a confident, values-driven leader who can inspire others, strengthen practice, and help shape high-quality services in a fast-paced acute setting.

WHAT IS INVOLVED? 
The hospital social work service delivers statutory social care across fast-paced acute and community settings, and you’ll also support the management of Intermediate Care beds while promoting a strong Home First approach, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.

You’ll be working as part of the Transfer of Care Hub, managing complex discharge planning, safeguarding enquiries, Mental Capacity Act responsibilities, and strengths-based assessments. The service plays a key role in preventing delays, reducing readmissions, and ensuring that people leave hospital with safe, sustainable plans that promote independence and wellbeing.
 
You’ll provide day-to-day leadership, professional oversight, and operational support to a team of social workers and social care practitioners. You’ll guide practice, offer reflective supervision, and help staff navigate complex decision-making. You’ll support the Team Manager with service planning, performance monitoring, and partnership working across the hospital and community.

Your role will include:

• Leading and supporting staff through regular supervision, coaching, and professional development.
• Overseeing complex casework, including safeguarding, mental capacity assessments, and high-risk situations.
• Ensuring safe, timely hospital discharge, working closely with MDT colleagues to remove barriers and improve patient flow.
• Monitoring performance and quality, using data and feedback to strengthen practice and meet statutory responsibilities.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external partners to support integrated, person-centred care.
• Promoting a positive team culture where staff feel valued, supported, and confident in their professional judgement. 

We encourage you to contact Samantha Devine via email at samantha.devine@durham.gov.uk or tel: 03000267596 to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  

 
 WHAT WILL I NEED? 
Applicants will need to demonstrate:

Have attained progression status following:

• Relevant experience in a Social Care or Health setting.
• Experience of working with the client group serviced by the team.
• Can record accurately identified needs of users of our services
• Encourage involvement of users of their services in all processes

Required qualifications:

•  Degree in SW, Dip SW, CSS or CQSW or equivalent. Plus Social Work England registration or be applying for registration. 
• Have attained progression status and willingness to achieve NVQ Level 4 in Management or equivalent within 3 years of appointment

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 for 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 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

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