Social Work Consultant

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment allowance £2,500

Hybrid working

Job summary

Durham County Council is recruiting an experienced Social Work Consultant to lead a team and promote relational, strengths-based practice within the Family Help East 1 team based at Sherburn. The role reports to a Practice Manager and focuses on developing frontline practice and improving outcomes for children and families.

You will work with partner agencies, champion high-quality practice, manage risk, and support safeguarding, with access to supervision, induction, and flexible/hybrid

Job description

Are you an experienced children and families social worker ready to progress your career and step into a management role?

Are you passionate about working with children and families?

This could be the post for you!

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

As Social Work Consultant you will have a focus on maintaining a nurturing learning culture and promoting relational, strengths based, trauma aware practise.

You will:

• Work in partnership with the team manager to manage a team which carries out meaningful and rewarding work which achieves the best outcomes for children.
• Play a key role in developing the practice of front-line social care practitioners by developing, maintaining and championing expertise in specific areas of work with children and families; by driving excellent practice based on research evidence and professional experience; and, by supporting achievement of improved outcomes for vulnerable children and their families.
• Build and maintain successful working relationships with colleagues from a wide range of agencies.

We encourage you to contact Sarah Anaverberokhai, Team Manager for an informal discussion about the role before you apply. You can contact Sarah by e‑mail at [e-mail]

HOW WILL THE POST BE CHANGING?

Over the coming months we will be implementing changes to respond to the Department for Education’s Families First Partnership Guide.

Our new Family Help teams will provide support to families who need our help, whether that that is targeted early help, child in need or child protection. The teams will also work with PLO and care proceedings. These teams will be able to respond when the needs of the family change.

As Social Work Consultant you will become an Assistant Practice Manager (social work qualified) and report to a Practice Manager (social work qualified). We have already matched our existing Social Work Consultants to their new posts, so we know that your new post will be in our Family Help East 1 team based at Sherburn. If you would like to know more about our plans or see copies of the new job descriptions please contact our Workforce Transformation and Development Manager Hazel Ostle by e‑mail at [e-mail]

HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED?

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 really strong learning and development offer.

We encourage flexible working to achieve a good work-life balance.

You can find out more about social work in Durham here

WHAT WILL I NEED?

To apply for this role you will:

• 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.

You can read more about the experience, skills and personal qualities we are looking for in the attached person specification.

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 Offences 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, 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.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held on 21st 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

This post is eligible for a recruitment/retention allowance of £2,500 over 12 months (pro-rata for part time workers). Payments are made in equal instalments across a 12-month period alongside your pay. The allowances are subject to tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.

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.