Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salaries

27 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working (home and office)

Job summary

Central Durham Social Work Hub, part of Durham County Council, is recruiting a Social Work Assistant to support adults with mental health needs in the community. The role involves working with social work and health colleagues, carers and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes, with a caseload and supportive tasks for team members.

Applicants should have 5 GCSEs including English, access to a car, and will be considered for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people in a customer-focused environment or in a caring role.
• 5 GCSEs including English Language (9-4/A-C grades) or equivalent qualification.
• Access to a car or mobility support in order to travel for work.
• DBS Enhanced Disclosure will be required if successful.

Responsibilities

• Provide community-based social care support within the Integrated Community Mental Health Team.
• Work with social work and health colleagues to support individuals in managing needs.
• Collaborate with carers, family and other professionals to achieve best outcomes.
• Hold a caseload and support colleagues with allocated tasks.

Skills

Customer focus

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

GCSEs including English Language

Job description

The Central Durham Social Work Hub are recruiting a Social Work Assistant.

Durham County Council (DCC) and Tees Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust (TEWV) are integrated as part of a partnership agreement to deliver both health and social care services to people with complex Mental Health problems in County Durham. The team comprises of staff from both Adult Care Services, Durham County Council, and health staff, TEWV. We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated person who is interested in supporting the delivery of good quality mental health care to adults within our county.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

The Integrated Community Mental Health Team has a designated Social Work Hub which provides assessment, care planning, treatment and interventions for service users/patients referred into the service with social care needs.

You will be working alongside your social work and health colleagues to support individuals in the community to manage their needs. You will also work closely in partnership with carers, family, and other professionals/agencies to achieve the best outcomes for service users. You will need to have a good understanding of how mental health issues impact on individuals and their recovery journey.

It will be expected that you have a caseload of your own as well as supporting colleagues with allocated tasks.

We encourage you to contact Jenna Wallace Team Manager via [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You should have experience of working with people either in a customer focussed environment or in a caring role (work can be in a voluntary or paid capacity).

Required Qualifications:

• 5 GCSEs including English Language (9-4/A-C grades) or equivalent relevant qualification
• Access to a car or access to a means of mobility support (if driving must have current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance).

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 week commencing 26th October 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

• 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
• a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable

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.

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