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Social Work Assistant

Job Summary
Contract Type:
Permanent
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
23/09/2026
Advert End Date:
07/10/2026 23:59
Salary:
Grade 6 - £29,071 - £32,046 pa.
Allowances:
N/A
Hours per week:
37
Job Category:
Social Care - Adult Service
Vacancy ID:
302094
Employment Location:
Pity Me Priory House
Post Number:
AHS/26/103
Number of posts:
1
Closing date:
7 Oct
Further Information
The Learning Disabilities East Team provides an effective and efficient Assessment and Care Management service for adults aged 18 and over with learning disabilities, adults with physical disabilities, older people, and their carers.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will have a good understanding of the key policy drivers and challenges affecting the team’s service user groups and their carers. Working collaboratively with partner agencies, providers, and other professionals, you will help ensure that needs are assessed comprehensively and that appropriate support is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

We encourage you to contact Rachel Bell, Team Manager, on 03000 263962 or via email at rachel.bell2@durham.gov.uk, or Ashleigh Pow, Assistant Team Manager, via email at ashleigh.pow2@durham.gov.uk, to arrange an informal discussion about the role

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You should have experience of working with people, either in a customer-focused environment or in a caring role. This experience may have been gained in either a paid or voluntary 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 Children’s Barred List and 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 19th October 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 RecruitmentAHS@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
 
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