Durham County Council (DCC) and Tees Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust (TEWV) have an exciting opportunity for a social work assistant role in the Initial Social Work Assessment Team within an Integrated Mental Health Service, providing assessment, and short-term intervention to service users/carers.
Durham County Council and Tees Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust are integrated as part of a partnership agreement. The teams comprise of staff from the Adult Care service from Durham County Council and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. The Initial Social Work Assessment team performs an important function to determine whether long-term support is required from the Service. It is fast paced work with a focus on trauma informed care and support, opportunity to work creatively and in an assertive outreach approach.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will provide assessment, care planning, and interventions for service users and carers referred into the service. You will also support the social workers complete safeguarding for service users with mental health problems and who are not already open to the longer-term teams. Reviewing of already planned care alongside providers, in house agencies and the voluntary sector will form part of the role.
Due to the nature of the work an assertive outreach approach is required to actively engage with service users. You will have knowledge of commissioning, social inclusion, legal frameworks and an awareness and understanding of the emerging influences in both health and social care provision. You will also need a good understanding of community resources and be able to signpost to appropriate services.
We encourage you to contact Katherine Wallace Team Manager via email at
[email protected] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You should have experience of working with people either in a customer focussed environment or in a caring role (work can be in a voluntary or paid capacity).
Required Qualifications
- 5 GCSEs including English Language (9-4/A-C grades) or equivalent relevant qualification
Access to a car or access to a means of mobility support (if driving must have current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance).
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 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 6th 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 and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
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.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.
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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