Social Worker

North East Ambition; Chester-le-Street; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity as a Social Worker within the Integrated Learning Disabilities Team in Chester-Le-Street. This full-time role involves care coordination, assessments, and working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment, critically focused on supporting individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs. Ideal candidates will have the necessary qualifications and a passion for making a positive impact in the community.

Benefits

27 days holiday, rising to 32 days

Hybrid working options

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Access to Employee Assistance Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England or in the process of applying.
• Awareness of current issues related to care coordination and restrictive practices.
• Ability to work with adults with complex needs and behaviours that challenge.

Responsibilities

• Manage caseload and complete assessments under The Care Act 2014.
• Coordinate care and assess risks for service users.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and make referrals.

Skills

Knowledge of The Care Act 2014

Trauma-informed approach

Safeguarding and risk management

Team collaboration

Education

Dip.S.W., C.S.S. or C.Q.S.W. or equivalent

Job description

We are looking for a fulltime permanent Social Worker to join our Integrated Learning Disabilities North Team.







WHAT IS INVOLVED?



An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Social Worker working within the Integrated Learning Disabilities Team.



The integrated team work in partnership with Durham County Council (DCC) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust.



You will be based within the North Locality team based in Chester-Le-Street.



The role is a care coordination/Social Work post and involves but is not limited to the following;

• Caseload management


• Completing assessments, care plans and reviews under The Care Act 2014


• Safeguarding and risk management


• Court of Protection applications


• Arranging and reviewing packages of care


• Signposting to community-based provisions


• Liaising with the multi-disciplinary team and making appropriate referrals


• Consideration of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the application of this in practice


• Working on the duty rota


• Considering restrictive practice within the community


• Using a trauma-informed approach within practice.

Care and compassion for supporting people with a learning disability is essential and you should have knowledge of contemporary priorities within learning disability practice.





We encourage you to contact Sam Robinson, Team Manager on Tel: [phone] or via email [e-mail] arrange an informal discussion about the role.





WHAT WILL I NEED?



Applicants should be able to demonstrate an awareness of current issues in relation to The Care Act 2014, The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and care co-ordination in particular. Including demonstrating their knowledge of reducing restrictive practices for adults with a learning disability.



You will have a varied role working with adult service users with complex needs, behaviours that challenge and forensic histories.



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.







REWARDS AND BENEFITS

We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.


• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.


• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).


• Hybrid working (home and office working).


• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.


• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.


• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.


• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).


• Discounted DCC gym membership.


• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.


• Trade Union membership.


• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits





SOCIAL MEDIA

Don’t see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council!



Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dccjobsandcareers/

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/durhamcountycounciljobsandcareers







HYBRID WORKING



Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.





EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION



We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.



We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.



As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.



Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce





INTERVIEWS



Interviews will be held week commencing 23rd June, 2025.



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.





HOW TO APPLY



In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.





Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.





If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email [e-mail] or tel [phone] (option 1 AHS)





For more information about Adult Social Work in Durham, visit

https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/29627/Working-in-adult-social-work





We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application.





Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice. https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf







PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM [e-mail] AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.