Jobs

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Next Steps Team in Durham, a developing and ambitious service that prepares young people in care for independence. Our work with children looked after and care leavers has been recognised as outstanding, and we are continuing to build a team that is relational, restorative, and centred on young people’s futures.

About Our Team
The Next Steps Team supports young people aged 16 and 17 as they begin their transition toward adulthood. Our approach is grounded in clear pathway planning, purposeful transitions, and meaningful participation. We focus on understanding each young person as they are today while helping them envision who they want to become.

Our work is guided by:

• Strong pathway planning that tells a young person’s story and builds a clear, aspirational future.
• Timely, well-planned moves that reduce disruption and ensure young people feel prepared.
• Supported risk-taking that builds confidence, independence, and safety.
• High-quality supervision, reflective practice, and consistent quality assurance.
• Positive relationships with residential providers, supported accommodation, education, housing, and partner agencies.
• Genuine participation and a commitment to embedding the young person’s voice in all assessments, plans, and decisions.

We are working closely with partners to develop a Super Hub a space designed with young people, for young people where learning, employment, housing support, and advice services will come together under one roof.

What Is Involved?
As a Social Worker in the Next Steps Team, you will:

• Hold a manageable caseload of young people aged 16–17.
• Lead on pathway planning, helping young people understand their journey and shape their future goals.
• Support young people through key transitions, including moves from residential care into supported accommodation and the transition from 17 to 18.
• Work proactively with residential homes, supported accommodation providers, and partner agencies to ensure smooth, timely, and well-coordinated plans.
• Contribute to safety planning that is co-produced with the young person and promotes supported independence.
• Build trusted, consistent relationships that provide stability, belonging, and emotional security.
• Participate in reflective practice sessions, development days, and group supervision.
• Use quality assurance tools to support timely planning and strong outcomes.
• Promote participation, ensuring young people’s feedback shapes practice, service development, and the evolving Super Hub.

You will be joining a motivated, supportive, and forward-looking team that values collaboration, creativity, and a belief in what young people can achieve.

Our Vision
Every young person leaving care should know they belong somewhere, have a plan they believe in, and feel ready for what comes next. This vision shapes our practice and the expectations we hold for ourselves as a team.

If you are passionate about improving the lives of young people and want to be part of an ambitious and developing service, we would welcome a discussion with you.

For further information or to discuss the role, please contact the Team Manager at katie.thompson@durham.gov.uk

HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED?
We are passionate about social work in County Durham. We are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish. We ensure our social workers are highly supported and encourage flexible working to achieve a good work-life balance.

You will benefit from a range of training opportunities and professional development through personalised induction, professional supervision, and mentoring.

Social workers post ASYE in this post are eligible for a recruitment/retention allowance of £2,500 over 12 months (pro-rata for part time workers). Payments are made in equal instalments across a 12-month period alongside your pay. The allowances are subject to tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.

Take a closer look at social work in County Durham on our website

WHAT WILL I NEED?
You will need a degree in Social Work or equivalent Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.

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.

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on 2nd and 3rd June 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 people and offer support throughout the recruitment process. 
 
HOW TO APPLY 
We welcome applications from disabled people and those who are or consider themselves to be neurodivergent

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. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website 
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@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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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152(Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091(Post-Progression)

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Social Worker