Job Description

Durham County Council have exciting openings within the Community Mental Health Teams for permanent fulltime Social Workers based in the Derwentside and Chester-le-Street Social Work Hub and the Sedgefield Social Work Hub.
We are seeking to recruit enthusiastic, passionate and committed Social Workers to deliver care for people who experience severe and/ or enduring mental health difficulties.
A Social Work position within a Community Mental Health Team is a rewarding and diverse role with a great opportunity for development.
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 Service includes social work hubs with leadership from social care/social work team managers. The teams comprise of staff from both Adult Social Care and Health which ensures a more effective way to meet service user's needs.
We are keen to support qualified AMHPS or Social Workers who are interested in undertaking the training.
We also have a very strong ASYE programme for Newly Qualified Social Workers as we are keen to develop our staff as we recognise that this increases positive outcomes for our community.
Durham County Council are a flexible organisation who care greatly about the welfare and work life balance of our staff.
We have already been working closely with our local community and service partners to shape how mental health services will look in our area. The successful candidate will join us on this innovative journey and help deliver a new model of care in our local communities.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The Community Mental Health Teams in Durham are leading the way in providing an integrated health and social care approach to supporting people with severe and enduring mental health problems and their carers.
Our teams provide statutory and specialist interventions on behalf of both Durham County Council and Tees Esk and Wear Valley's NHS Foundation Trust.
You will have the opportunity to develop skills, training and knowledge from both organisations.
You will join a multi-disciplinary team with professionals who bring a range of skills and knowledge and who are committed to providing a flexible and effective service to people with a range of mental health problems.
We encourage you to contact Jenna Wallace, Team Manager via email at to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
You must have up to date knowledge of current legislation and Policies/ Procedures in relation to Adult Health and Social Care.
Required Qualifications: Dip.S.W., C.S.S. or C.Q.S.W. or equivalent and hold Social Work England registration or be applying.
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
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.

• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.

• 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.

• Trade Union membership.

• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look:
SOCIAL MEDIA
Don't see the perfect role for you right now? Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates on new opportunities at Durham County Council!
Follow us on Instagram
Like us on Facebook
HYBRID WORKING
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.
We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.
Take a closer look:
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held week commencing 15th September, 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, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line 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 the Recruitment Team via email or tel 03000 26 27 27 (option 1 AHS)
For more information about Adult Social Work in Durham, visit
We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application.
Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.