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 a range of professionals including health colleagues, therapists, and partner agencies. The team is committed to delivering high quality, person centred care to adults with learning disabilities, promoting independence, choice, and inclusion within the community. You will benefit from a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing, reflective practice, and continuous development are actively encouraged.
About the Role
As a Social Worker within the team, you will play a key role in supporting individuals and their carers through strength-based practice. You will work with adults with learning disabilities to understand their needs, build on their strengths, and develop tailored plans that promote wellbeing, independence, and safety.
You will:
- Carry out comprehensive, strengths-based assessments, ensuring individuals and their carers are actively involved in identifying needs and desired outcomes.
- Develop and implement personalised care and support plans, balancing individual choice with positive risk management and value for money.
- Work closely with a wide range of partners to coordinate services, making creative use of community resources and supporting the development of local provision.
- Take a lead role in safeguarding, ensuring concerns are identified, managed, and responded to in line with policy and best practice.
- Monitor and review care plans to ensure they remain effective, outcome focused, and responsive to changing needs.
- Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, advocating for service users and ensuring their voice is central to decision making.
- Maintain accurate, timely records and reports in line with professional and organisational standards.
This is a role where your skills in assessment, relationship building, and collaborative working will directly impact the lives of individuals, helping them to achieve greater independence and improved quality of life.
We encourage you to contact Rachel Bell or Ashleigh Pow via email at
[email protected] /
[email protected] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
To be successful in this role, you will bring the right balance of professional expertise, values, and personal commitment to delivering high quality support.
Qualifications and Experience:
- You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
- You will have experience of working with adults, ideally within learning disability services or a related field.
- You will have a strong understanding of relevant legislation and frameworks, including Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding responsibilities.
Skills and Knowledge:
- You will be confident in completing strengths based assessments, care planning, and reviews that focus on outcomes and independence.
- You will have the ability to manage risk effectively while promoting choice and control.
- You will demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to build meaningful relationships with individuals, carers, and professionals.
- You will be able to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary environment and coordinate complex packages of support.
- You will have good organisational skills and be able to manage a varied caseload, maintaining accurate and timely records.
Personal Qualities:
- You will be compassionate, values driven, and committed to promoting dignity, inclusion, and independence.
- You will be resilient, adaptable, and able to work in a dynamic environment.
- You will be proactive and motivated, with a commitment to continuous professional development.
- You will demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and delivering anti-discriminatory practice.
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. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held Week Commencing 7th July 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 people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
We welcome applications from disabled people and those who are or consider themselves to be neurodivergent.
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the Person Specification section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email
[email protected]
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from
[email protected]. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you dont miss any updates.
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