Social Worker - Adult Learning Disabilities Team


Company:	Darlington Borough Council
Salary:	£30,001 - £40,000
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Darlington, DL1 5QT
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	13 Aug 2026
Closing date:	23 Aug 2026

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Summary

Do you want to be part of a council where senior managers are visible and understand the challenges of social work, 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;.? Our CQC assurance visit recognised our positive work and reflected this with a high Good rating.andnbsp;

We are looking to recruit a full-time permanent experienced or newly qualified Social Worker to work in our Adult Learning Disabilities Team. Applicants need to be committed to strength-based practice and an enablement approach so that as much as possible people and their families can build on their own networks and strengths.andnbsp;

andnbsp;

You will work as part of a cohesive team of social workers and reviewing officer with the support of experienced senior practitioners and team manager. Senior managers are visible here in Darlington and understand the challenges of the role.andnbsp;The team has tight links with partner agencies including Community Learning Disabilities team and voluntary sector partners.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;

andnbsp;More about the roleandnbsp;

As a social worker you will:andnbsp;

form collaborative relationships with key partners including acute, primary and community health care, voluntary and independent sector to promote positive outcomes for people with learning disability and their families in Darlington.andnbsp;

Practice in a legally literate manner.andnbsp;andnbsp;Carry out strength-based conversations and plans using the necessary legislation including The Care Act (2014) and Mental Capacity Act (2005).andnbsp;andnbsp;Practice within the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal.andnbsp;andnbsp;

Manage your caseload with autonomy, using supervision appropriately, use timely interventions that promote positive relationships and respond to changing outcomes and needs.andnbsp;

Hold a varied caseload that will include Court of Protection applications and court work.andnbsp;andnbsp;Use support available to complete Court of Protection work that is legally literate, creative and least restrictive.andnbsp;andnbsp;

Review and develop support plans, ensuring that they are outcome focused thus enabling people with learning disabilities and their families to have future plans and aspirations.andnbsp;

Work with young people with a learning disability and their families who are progressing towards adulthood with a focus on strengths, outcomes, least restrictive options and community assets.andnbsp;

Respond to duty work and urgent referrals, respond to risk appropriately, seeking support as required.andnbsp;

Advocate the benefits of self-directed support, using systems around this approach effectively.andnbsp;andnbsp;Develop and coordinate care and support.andnbsp;

Work positively with colleagues in partner agencies and within the learning disabilities team, support the development of students and less experienced staff.andnbsp;

Demonstrate and maintain your registration to your professional body and standards, Social Work England.andnbsp;andnbsp;

andnbsp;

Whatand#39;s in it for you?andnbsp;

You would be a highly valued member of the team with the ability to have impact and bring about positive change, we respect creativity in practice.andnbsp;andnbsp;Our flexible and hybrid approach to working is available across many roles in Darlington as well as enticing employee benefits, attractive annual leave offer and development opportunities that are second to none.andnbsp;

andnbsp;

As an Adults social worker in Darlington, you can expect to be fully supported on your development journey by, 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)

Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions

Flexi-time scheme

Flexible working

Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes

Staff equality forums

Green Car Leasing Scheme

Access to a wide range of training, learning and development

Physiotherapy service

Confidential counselling service

Great wellbeing offer

Cycle to Work Scheme

Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts

Local and National retailer discounts

Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings

Arriva Employee Travel Club

For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/why-work-for-us/

Find out further information about us and what itandrsquo;s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Person Specification.

General Information for Applicants:

For a further informal discussion and any queries around the role profile and job itself please contactandnbsp;Julie Hopkinson Team Manager on 07384457204 or via emailandnbsp; Julie.hopkinson@darlington.gov.ukandnbsp; or Joanne Thompson, Service Manager email Joanne.Thompson@darlington.gov.uk

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 01325 403217 or HR@darlington.gov.uk.

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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.

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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.

This post requires a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure and Adults Barred List check.

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About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.