Social Worker - Children's Assessment and Safeguarding Service (Ref: TBC)

Hours and Pay

Salary: Band 9 £34,314 - £37,035 (ASYE / pre-progression), Band 10 £37,938 - £40,476 (SW main grade), Band 11 £41,511 - £44,711 (SW experienced)
Salary Band: £40,001 to £50,000
Post Type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: Full time

Job and Application details

Categories: Social Work - Children Service
Directorate: N/A
Published Date: 24/04/2025
Closing Date: 11/05/2025

In October 2022 Darlington was Ofsted rated Good. This is what Ofsted said about us -

"Staff are attracted to working in Darlington because of the benefits of the relational practice model and the positive workforce culture. Workers in Darlington are extremely committed to the local authority and feel valued by senior leaders. Social workers we spoke to describe an environment where they feel confident and supported by their managers to make decisions. They feel cared about and supported by them."
"There is a strong focus on ensuring that workers have access to a range of good-quality and up-to-date training and development opportunities. Training has informed and enhanced the quality of relational social work practice."

Darlington Childrens Services have implemented Strengthening Families - Family Valued programme which aims to:

Support the Council to safely and appropriately reduce the need for children and young people to enter the looked after system
Create the conditions for good social work practice by supporting the development of a Borough wide culture and ethos of restorative and relational working
Improve the effectiveness of Local Authority Childrens Services

We are seeking enthusiastic, driven and motivated individuals who want you to be part our vision. You will be instrumental in creating an environment that supports and enables relational practice, building local capacity, relationship and skills and innovation. If you are an enthusiastic and dynamic Social Worker, either experienced or newly qualified, who brings passion and commitment to achieving the best for the most vulnerable families and have experience in Childrens Statutory Safeguarding Services either as a Social Worker or Social Work student, we would like to hear from you.

You will benefit from working in a compact Borough where managing a caseload is not hindered by travel, giving you more time with children and families. You will have access to regular training, reflective supervision and support from Senior Managers.
We have a strong commitment to professional development throughout all our Childrens Service areas, with training that is workforce-led and has strong links to supervision, appraisal and audit. Our refreshed progression model further compliments personal and professional growth, with a structure that optimises succession planning into management roles. We support and encourage involvement throughout all areas, with regular opportunities readily available through a range of forums, which also focus on building resilience and well-being.

We are progressive and forward thinking and a modern and dynamic service that supports our children to thrive.

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Appointment and / or progression to Band 10/11 is subject to meeting DBC progression criteria. This post is eligible for a Social Worker Recruitment and Retention payment paid annually for up to 3 years to Social Workers with a minimum of one year post qualifying experience in a Social Worker role who have successfully completed their ASYE programme (if applicable). The payment is currently £2,500 per annum (pro-rata for part time hours, reviewed annually)

This role offers a flexible, blended approach to home and office working. Additionally other benefits of working for Darlington Council include

32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays. with the option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
Generous Pension Scheme
Flexi-time scheme
Generous schemes for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
Green Car Leasing Scheme
Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
Physiotherapy service
Free confidential counselling service
Great wellbeing offer
Cycle to Work Scheme
Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
Arriva Employee Travel Club

For our full range of benefits, please see our Total Reward Booklet https://www.darlington.gov.uk/media/17398/totalreward-booklet.pdf

The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS and Children's Barred List check and re-checking from time to time in line with the Counci policy.

For a further informal discussion, please contact Dawn Raine, Service Manager on 01325 406339

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