Social Work Consultant

Durham County Council; Seaham; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Council is expanding its Connected Carers Service and seeks a Social Work Consultant to join the leadership team. You will work with the Team Manager to shape outstanding support for children and carers, champion family-based care, and lead innovation that strengthens lifelong connections across County Durham.

The role offers strong professional supervision, induction, and a pathway into management through the rising stars programme.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with extensive experience working with children, young people and families.
• Experience championing high-quality practice, managing risk and building respectful partnerships.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation and guidance for children's services.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Team Manager to ensure high-quality services for children and carers.
• Apply research, evidence and professional expertise to drive best practice.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Risk management

Reflective practice

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Job description

Do you believe every child deserves to grow up surrounded by love, family, and a sense of belonging? Are you ready to be part of a leadership team that makes this vision a reality? If so, we want to hear from you! We're on an exciting journey to expand our Connected Carers Service, doubling in size over the next 12 months, from two teams to four. This growth means more children staying within their family networks, more stability, and more opportunities for lifelong connections. As a Social Work Consultant, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of our service. You will work hand-in-hand with the Team Manager, combining your expertise to shape outstanding support for children and carers. Together, you'll champion family-based care, inspire best practice, and lead innovation that makes a lasting difference across County Durham.,

• Collaborate with the Team Manager to ensure the team delivers high-quality services for children and carers, aligned with legislation and guidance.
• Drive best practice by applying research, evidence and your professional expertise.
• Challenge and improve practice, policies, and procedures; promote innovation and adopt proven approaches.
• Model and facilitate reflective, evidence-based decision-making.

You will be joining us at a fantastic time. Inspectors have judged our Children's Services as outstanding. You can read the full report here.

HOW WILL WE SUPPORT YOU?

We are passionate about social work in County Durham. We are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish. We will ensure you are highly supported. You will benefit from high quality professional supervision, a great induction, and access to our strong learning and development offer. When you are ready to take your next step our aspiring managers programme "rising stars" will be there for you.

• Be a social worker with significant experience of work with children, young people and families.
• Have experience of championing and commending high quality practice, managing risk and building respectful partnerships.
• Be a wonderful communicator with experience of building positive relationships with children, young people and families and nurturing other professionals.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

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