Social Worker - Adult Contact and Assessment Team in Darlington inDarlington PUBLISHED FRI 24 OCT 2025 Jump to job information section
£30,001.00 to £40,000.00 per year
PERMANENT
Darlington Borough Council rc7nKdZv0
Job description
Social Worker - Adult Contact and Assessment Team Job details Posting date: 24 October 2025 Salary: £30,001.00 to £40,000.00 per year Additional salary information: Full time equivalent salary Band 9 (£35,412 - £38,220 per annum) / Band 10 (£39,152 - £41,771 per annum) / Band 11 (£42,839 - £46,142 per annum) Hours: Full time Closing date: 09 November 2025 Location: Darlington, DL1 5QT Company: Darlington Borough Council Job type: Permanent Job reference: 287622 Apply for this job Summary ADULT CONTACT TEAM - 1 full time permanent post.andnbsp; Previous applicants need not apply. You will work as part of a cohesive team of social workers, community assessment officers and occupational therapists, under the supportive guidance of the team manager and senior practitioners. The team deliver two functions: a front door element responding to initial contacts into Adult Social Care, such as requests for assessments of need, enquiries regarding safeguarding issues, advice and information about local services, and responding to urgent or crisis situations.andnbsp; a short-term casework element, enabling the provision of short-term social work for up to 16 weeks with adults aged 18+ with a range of complex needs in the Darlington area, working proactively with service users, their families, carers, and other relevant professionals. You will be committed to strength-based practice, focusing on enabling people as much as possible to build on their own networks and strengths as a means of meeting their needs. You will be skilled at gathering relevant information from initial contacts and making appropriate and sound decisions as to what action needs to be taken and refer appropriately. You will have demonstratable assessment and care management skills and drive and passion to make a difference in a dynamic and fast paced multi-disciplinary team.andnbsp; For more information and an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sam Cairns, Team Manager on Do you want to be part of a council where senior managers are visible and understand the challenges of social work and where ingenious and innovative social work is welcome? Joss Harbron, our Assistant Director for Adult Social Care says andquot;Darlington has an established and successful track record in adult social care, where high challenge comes with high support. There is strong engagement with citizens and strong partnerships and collaboration across the directorates. I believe we deliver strong visible leadership, with clear governance, accountability and in a culture which welcomes active contributions from the teams whilst delivering high performing servicesandquot;.andnbsp; Darlington Adult Social Care has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years, with an emphasis on maximising independence, delivering personalised outcomes, promoting a cost effective and stable market. Our priorities are focused on supporting reducing isolation, delaying where possible the onset of support needs, providing an intermediate care offer, supporting carers, as well as ensuring people are safe from harm.andnbsp; We have a culture of working together across all directorates with the ambition to grow and develop partnerships. Darlington has a stable provider market and excellent collaborations with stakeholders and partners.andnbsp; As a social worker, you will form collaborative relationships with key partners including acute, primary and community health care, voluntary and independent sector to promote health and well-being and preventing, reducing and delaying need in line with the Care Act. Through strength-based assessments and interventions and a focus on the whole person and person-centred care, you will support adults with care and support needs and their carers to achieve their desired outcomes and well-being.andnbsp; To achieve this, you will be experienced in delivering personalised care and support plans in line with national legislation, Care Act principles, Mental Health Act, and ensuring people are safe from harm.andnbsp; Whatand#39;s in it for you? As an Adults social worker in Darlington, you can expect to be fully supported on your development journey by robust caseload management, regular supervision and appraisal, outstanding training and development opportunities, an excellent total reward package including competitive salary and a wide range of employee benefits promoting well-being. Our career and pay progression scheme offers a clear growth and development pathway accompanied by competitive pay at each progression level, which reflects the increased complexity of the role and the experience required from our social workers.andnbsp; The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:andnbsp; 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)andnbsp; Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributionsandnbsp; Flexi-time schemeandnbsp; Flexible workingandnbsp; Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemesandnbsp; Staff equality forumsandnbsp; Green Car Leasing Schemeandnbsp; Access to a wide range of training, learning and developmentandnbsp; Physiotherapy serviceandnbsp; Confidential counselling serviceandnbsp; Great wellbeing offerandnbsp; Cycle to Work Schemeandnbsp; Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discountsandnbsp; Local and National retailer discountsandnbsp; Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savingsandnbsp; Arriva Employee Travel Clubandnbsp; For a full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Rewards Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.andnbsp; https://jobsincare.com/job/jdwpelueCHiI Find out further information about us and what itand#39;s like to work for our great team by visiting Jobs and Careers home page. https://jobsincare.com/job/jdwpelueCHiI For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.andnbsp; General Information for Applicants: If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on or ;andnbsp; If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please fill out the form within the link below.andnbsp;andnbsp; https://jobsincare.com/job/jdwpelueCHiI All applicant email correspondence will come from and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.andnbsp; You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.andnbsp; We are an equal opportunitiesand#39; employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.andnbsp; This post requires a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure and Adults Barred List check.andnbsp;
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If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
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Useful skills for a Social Worker - Adult Contact and Assessment Team:
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To work as a social worker in the UK, you need a combination of education, practical skills, and personal attributes. Here are some key skills and qualifications required:
Educational Requirements:
1. Relevant Degree: Typically, you need a degree in social work, which is usually recognized by UK regulatory bodies. Alternatively, a postgraduate degree in social work may suffice if you have a prior degree in another discipline.
2. Postgraduate Certificate in Social Work: For those who have a relevant degree but not in social work, a postgraduate qualification can be pursued.
3. Registration: You must register with the regulatory body for social workers in your country (Social Work England for England, Social Care Wales, the Care Council for Northern Ireland, or the Scottish Social Services Council).
Key Skills Required:
1. Communication Skills: Ability to clearly and compassionately communicate with clients, families, and other professionals.
2. Empathy and Compassion: Understanding clients' feelings and perspectives to provide appropriate support and guidance.
3. Critical Thinking: Ability to assess situations, evaluate information, and make informed decisions.
4. Problem-Solving Skills: Competence in developing practical solutions to complex issues faced by clients.
5. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build trusting relationships and work collaboratively with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
6. Organizational Skills: Managing a caseload, keeping accurate records, and ensuring all paperwork is completed promptly.
7. Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of clients.
8. Resilience: Ability to cope with emotional stress and remain focused under pressure.
9. Advocacy Skills: Ability to advocate for clients’ needs and rights effectively.
10. Knowledge of Services and Legislation: Understanding of social welfare policies, relevant laws, and local services available to clients.
Additional Attributes:
- Ethical Practice: Strong moral principles guiding your work.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to work in various circumstances and respond to changing needs.
- Teamwork: Ability to work effectively within a team and contribute to collective goals.
Experience:
- Practical Experience: Engaging in placements during your studies, volunteering, or previous roles in related fields can provide essential hands-on experience.

inDarlington
54.52360916137695 -1.5594580173492432 Darlington, England, United Kingdom
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