Jobs

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Social Worker who places young people at the centre of their practice. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting young people as they transition into adulthood.

The successful candidate will be passionate about promoting independence and delivering person-centred interventions tailored to individual needs. You will play a key role in supporting young people with Learning Disabilities, Mental Health needs, or Autism as they move from Children’s Services into Adult Social Care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and support the transition process for young people moving into Adult Social Care
• Work collaboratively with young people, families, and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes
• Promote independence, wellbeing, and informed choice through person-centred practice
• Assess needs and develop effective care and support plans
• Advocate for young people to ensure their voices are heard

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The Navigation Team plays a vital role in supporting young people through transition, ensuring assessments are completed in line with the Care Act and that the right services are in place to meet their needs.

In this role, you will:

• Undertake assessments, care planning, and targeted interventions for young people and their carers with identified social care needs
• Work within the legal frameworks that underpin Adult Social Care, applying your knowledge in practice
• Use your understanding of commissioning and social inclusion to help achieve positive outcomes
• Develop strong knowledge of local community resources and confidently signpost to appropriate services

For Newly Qualified Social Workers, you will complete your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) during your first year with us. You will benefit from structured support, protected development time, and mentoring to help you build confidence and grow in your role.

If you would like to find out more about the role, we encourage you to contact Gemma Cairney, Team Manager, at Gemma.Cairney@durham.gov.uk for an informal discussion.
 
WHAT WILL I NEED?
We’re looking for someone who is:

• A qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, with a genuine passion for supporting young people
• Committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care
• Knowledgeable about transition planning and relevant legislation
• A confident communicator with strong partnership-working skills
• Motivated, proactive, and solutions-focused

For full details, please refer to the attached Person Specification.

If successful, you will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

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 either Tuesday 30th June or Wednesday 1st July 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: £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression) pro rata pa

Location: Spennymoor, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker