Jobs

The successful candidate will become part of a highly motivated and successful Occupational Therapy Service within County Durham.

This post is permanent, full time (37 hours) for a progressed Occupational Therapist. 

WHAT IS INVOLVED? 
We are looking for an individual with experience of working with service users with predominantly physical health disabilities.

If you are interested in this countywide post, we encourage you to contact Daiella McCluskey, Countywide OT & Sensory Support Manager, email: daniella.mccluskey@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  
 
WHAT WILL I NEED? 

• Be a progressed Occupational Therapist.

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy with Health Professions Council Registration.
• You should have experience of working within a Health or Social Care setting and have knowledge of the structures within the NHS and Local Authorities.
• Awareness of recent or impending changes within these organisations which would impact upon this role would also be beneficial.

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 adults.

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held week commencing 31st August 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. Hybrid working applies to this post. 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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THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY
This vacancy is restricted to employees of Durham County Council which includes all permanent, temporary, fixed term employees and agency workers.  Please note that the interview date must be prior to your contract end date if temporary.  

Permanent employees applying for a temporary position are required to seek approval from their line manager, to guarantee the return to their substantive post at the expiry of the temporary post.

Anyone currently listed on the Redeployment Register who would like to be considered for this vacancy should contact the Resourcing team via email alternativeemployment@durham.gov.uk
 

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 p.a (Post-progression) - Pay award pending.

Location: Spennymoor, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant