Social Worker

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (home & office)

27 days annual leave (rising to 32)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a Social Worker to support adults with learning disabilities in the Learning Disability Integrated East Team, promoting independence and wellbeing in the community.

Newly Qualified Social Workers will complete ASYE in their first year with structured mentoring and development time. Successful applicants may start in a Social Work Assistant role until registration is confirmed, with DBS checks required.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Experience with adults, ideally in learning disability services or related field.
• Understanding of Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Undertake strengths-based assessments with individuals and carers to identify needs and outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and review personalised care and support plans to promote independence and positive risk-taking.
• Collaborate with partners to coordinate support and develop local opportunities.
• Lead safeguarding inquiries and ensure actions align with legislation and policy.
• Monitor and review support arrangements to stay outcome-focused.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings ensuring individuals' views guide decisions.
• Maintain accurate records and reports to professional standards.

Skills

Social Work England registration

Assessment

Safeguarding

Education

Social Work qualification

Tools

Care Act knowledge

Mental Capacity Act

Job description

Are you a passionate, driven Social Worker looking to make a difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities? We are seeking a committed professional to join our Learning Disability Integrated East Team, where you will play a vital role in supporting individuals to live safe, independent, and fulfilling lives within the community. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team that places person centred practice, empowerment, and strengths-based approaches at the heart of everything we do.

Newly Qualified Social Workers (ASYE)

If you are a Newly Qualified Social Worker, you will complete your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) in your first year with us, with structured support, protected development time and access to mentoring to help you build confidence and progress in your role.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

About the Team and Service

You will be part of a supportive and dynamic Learning Disability Integrated East Team, working alongside health professionals, therapists, and partner agencies to deliver high-quality, person-centred support. The team is committed to promoting independence, choice, and inclusion for adults with learning disabilities, within a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing, reflective practice, and continuous professional development.

About the Role

As a Social Worker, you will support adults with learning disabilities and their carers through strengths-based practice, helping individuals to achieve positive outcomes, maximise independence, and maintain their wellbeing and safety.

In this role, you will:

• Undertake strengths-based assessments, involving individuals and carers in identifying needs and desired outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and review personalised care and support plans that promote independence, choice, and positive risk-taking.
• Work collaboratively with partners and community resources to coordinate effective support and develop local opportunities.
• Lead on safeguarding enquiries and interventions, ensuring concerns are managed in line with legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Monitor and review support arrangements to ensure they remain effective, outcome-focused, and responsive to changing needs.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings, advocating for individuals and ensuring their views remain central to decision-making.
• Maintain accurate, timely records and reports in line with professional and organisational standards.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of adults with learning disabilities, using your assessment, relationship-building, and collaborative working skills to support people to live safe, independent, and fulfilling lives.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

To be successful in this role, you will bring the right combination of professional knowledge, practical experience, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred support.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Experience of working with adults, ideally within learning disability services or a related field.
• A sound understanding of relevant legislation and frameworks, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding responsibilities.

Applicants awaiting Social Work England registration are welcome to apply. Successful candidates will be appointed to a Social Work Assistant position, on the appropriate pay scale, until Social Work England registration is confirmed. Upon receipt of registration, they will transition into the Social Worker role and salary grade.

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 9th November 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.