Social Worker - Children In Our Care Team (Ref: TBC)
Salary Band 9 £35,412 - £38,220 per annum (ASYE / pre-progression) / Band 10 £39,152 - £41,771 per annum (SW main grade) / Band 11 £42,839 - £46,142 per annum (SW experienced). 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 22/01/2026 Closing Date 08/02/2026
In October 2022 Darlington was Ofsted rated Good with Outstanding services for Children in Care and Care Leavers
This what Ofsted said about us -
'Staff are attracted to working in Darlington because of the benefits of the relational practice model and the positive workforce culture. Workers in Darlington are extremely committed to the local authority and feel valued by senior leaders. Social workers we spoke to describe an environment where they feel confident and supported by their managers to make decisions. They feel cared about and supported by them.'
'There is a strong focus on ensuring that workers have access to a range of good-quality and up-to-date training and development opportunities. Training has informed and enhanced the quality of relational social work practice.'
Darlington Children’s Services have implemented Strengthening Families - Family Valued programme which aims to:
* Support the Council to safely and appropriately reduce the need for children and young people to enter the looked after system
* Create the conditions for good social work practice by supporting the development of a Borough wide culture and ethos of restorative and relational working
* Improve the effectiveness of Local Authority Children’s Services
We are seeking enthusiastic, driven and motivated individuals who want to be part our vision. You will be instrumental in creating an environment that supports and enables relational practice, building local capacity, relationship and skills and innovation.
If you are an enthusiastic and dynamic Social Worker, either experienced or newly qualified, who brings passion and commitment to achieving the best for the most vulnerable families and have experience in working with Children in Care or Care Leavers either as a Social Worker or Social Work student, we would like to hear from you.
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 Children’s Service areas, with a training programme 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's 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).
This role offers a flexible, blended approach to home and office working.
Benefits
* 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
* Generous schemes for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
* Green Car Leasing Scheme
* Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
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's policy.
Shortlisting will take place on 10th February 2026, with face-to-face interviews held at Pease House, Darlington on Friday 13th February 2026.
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