Overview
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams based in Chester-le-Street and Durham West. You will be working with our most vulnerable children, young people and families and your expertise will support families, help keep children safe and enable them both to thrive.
Hugely rewarding and full of variety and challenge - this could be the right role for you!
Responsibilities
This is a brilliant role where you will work collaboratively with children, young people and families in need of help and protection. You will use our signs of safety practice model in a strengths-based, relational, trauma aware way, working alongside families to improve outcomes. Your work will be varied including single assessments, working with children on a Child in Need basis, undertaking Child Protection work and enquiries under Section 47, as well as Public and Private Law. We have posts available in our teams based in Chester-le-Street and Durham West. You can read the full report about our Children’s Services as outstanding and that inspectors viewed Durham as a great place to work.
We encourage you to contact Stacey Siddens, Team Manager, for an informal discussion about the role. You can contact Stacey by e-mail at stacey.siddens@durham.gov.uk.
Relocation, Travel and Eligibility
Inspectors, If you are looking to relocate to join us removal, lodging and separation expenses of up to £8,000 may be available to you if you live outside of County Durham and in excess of 30 miles in a straight line from your new base, along with a number of other criteria for eligibility. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
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. You will benefit from high quality professional supervision, a great induction, and access to our strong learning and development offer. If you are looking to take a step into management our aspiring managers programme "rising stars" is there for you. We encourage flexible working to achieve a good work-life balance throughout the recruitment process.
Interviews
Interviews are expected to take place during the 7th November 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, applications must be submitted online 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 our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27.
Requirements
You will need a degree in Social Work or equivalent Social Work qualification with current Social Work England registration. 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
* Our rewards and benefits are designed to support you:
* Competitive salaries
* 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service, and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
* We encourage 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 and Neurodiversity.
* Trade Union membership.
* A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.
#J-18808-Ljbffr