Social Worker - Children with Disabilities Team

Learning & Skills; Tees Valley; On-site; MXN 918,000 - 1,148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days Annual Leave

Generous Pension Scheme

Flexi-time scheme

Green Car Leasing Scheme

Training & development

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Darlington Borough Council is seeking a Social Worker to join the Children with Disabilities Team, focusing on supporting disabled children to reach their full potential and working closely with families and carers to meet needs. The role emphasizes relational practice and cross‑agency collaboration, ensuring plans reflect holistic needs.

We offer regular training, reflective supervision, and opportunities for progression, with a strong commitment to professional development across Children's

Qualifications

• Experience as a Social Worker in Children’s Services.
• ASYE programme completed or in progress.
• Ability to work with multi-agency professionals.

Responsibilities

• Work with disabled children and their families to understand needs and plan support.
• Collaborate with a wide range of professionals to ensure holistic care.
• Contribute to professional development through training, supervision and audit.

Job description

Social Worker - Children with Disabilities Team (Ref: POS001111)

Hours and Pay

Salary Band 9 £35,412 - £38, 220 (ASYE / pre-progression), Band 10 £39,152 - £41,771 (SW main grade), Band 11 £42,839 - £46,142 (SW experienced) *pay award pending Salary Band £40,001 to £50,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Full time

Job and Application details

Categories Social Work - Children Service

Directorate N/A Published Date 07/09/2026 Closing Date 22/09/2026

This is an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker to join the Children with Disabilities Team at Darlington Borough Council.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting children with disabilities to achieve their full potential into adulthood. We want to recruit an individual who would embrace our relational practice model and work in partnership with disabled children, their families and carers to ensure children's needs are met. You will need to be able to work in partnership with a wide range of mult-agency professionals to ensure that the holistic needs of children are understood and plans to support children meet their needs fully through this approach.

Darlington Children's Services are rated 'Outstanding' with Ofsted and you will benefit from working in a compact Borough where managing a caseload is not hindered by travel, giving you more time with children and families. You will have access to regular training, reflective supervision and support from Senior Managers.

We have a strong commitment to professional development throughout all our Childrens Service areas, with training that is workforce-led and has strong links to supervision, appraisal and audit. Our refreshed progression model further compliments personal and professional growth, with a structure that optimises succession planning into management roles. We support and encourage involvement throughout all areas, with regular opportunities readily available through a range of forums, which also focus on building resilience and well-being.

We are progressive and forward thinking and a modern and dynamic service that supports our children to thrive.

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Appointment and / or progression to Band 10/11 is subject to meeting DBC progression criteria. This post is eligible for a Social Worker Recruitment and Retention payment paid annually for up to 3 years to Social Workers with a minimum of one year post qualifying experience in a Social Worker role who have successfully completed their ASYE programme (if applicable). The payment is currently £2,500 per annum (pro-rata for part time hours, reviewed annually)

Benefits

• 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays. with the option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Flexi-time scheme
• Generous schemes for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
• Green Car Leasing Scheme
• Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
• Physiotherapy service
• Free confidential counselling service
• Great wellbeing offer
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
• Arriva Employee Travel Club

For our full range of benefits, please see our Total Reward Booklet https://www.darlington.gov.uk/media/17398/totalreward-booklet.pdf

The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS and Children's Barred List check and re-checking from time to time in line with the Council policy.

The Council does not currently offer sponsorship for these posts.

For a further informal discussion, please contact Heidi Bischoff, Team Manager on 07387 241874.