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Durham County Council has exciting opportunities for two permanent Social Workers to join our Community Mental Health Teams based within the Dales and Sedgefield Social Work Hubs.

We are recruiting to one full-time position (37 hours per week) based in Bishop Auckland within the Dales Hub, and one part-time position (30 hours per week) based at Enterprise House, Spennymoor within the Sedgefield Hub.

These roles offer an excellent opportunity to work as part of a supportive and dedicated team, making a positive difference to the lives of adults experiencing mental health challenges across County Durham.

We are seeking enthusiastic, passionate and committed Social Workers to support people who experience severe and/or enduring mental health difficulties.

Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team of Adult Social Care and Health professionals, you will play a key role in delivering person-centred support and improving outcomes for local people.

We are committed to developing our workforce and welcome applications from qualified Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs). Enhanced salary arrangements are available for practitioners who participate in the daytime AMHP rota.

We also support Social Workers who are interested in undertaking AMHP training, as well as Newly Qualified Social Workers through our strong Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme.

At Durham County Council, we promote flexible working, wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the ongoing transformation of mental health services and help deliver a modern, community-focused model of care.

These posts are currently based within the Dales and Sedgefield Community Mental Health Teams. However, further opportunities may arise during the recruitment process within other Community Mental Health Teams covering the south of County Durham (based in Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland).

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The Community Mental Health Teams in Durham are at the forefront of delivering integrated health and social care services for people experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties, as well as supporting their carers.

As part of a long-established partnership between Durham County Council and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, our teams bring together professionals from both organisations to provide high-quality statutory and specialist mental health services.

You will work within a supportive multi-disciplinary team, alongside colleagues with a wide range of expertise, all committed to delivering flexible, person-centred support and achieving positive outcomes for local people.

In return, you will benefit from a wealth of learning and development opportunities, gaining skills, knowledge and experience from both partner organisations.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Julie Stockman at julie.stockman@durham.gov.uk.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You must have up to date knowledge of current legislation and Policies/ Procedures in relation to Adult Health and Social Care.

Required Qualifications:

• Dip.S.W., C.S.S. or C.Q.S.W. or equivalent and hold Social Work England registration or be applying.

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 Children’s Barred List and 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 28th September 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: Spennymoor, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker