Childrens Social Worker – Connecting Families Team – #5297933

Job Description

Make a real difference to children’s lives by supporting safe family reunification in Durham County Council’s outstanding-rated Children in Care service.

Connecting Families is a specialist team working with children and young people aged 0–18 who are subject to a Section 31 Care Order where there is a realistic opportunity for them to safely return home. Your focus will be reunification done well — supporting families to create the right conditions for children to go home and stay home, with the child’s voice at the centre throughout.

You will work closely with families and key partners including Family Group Conferencing, Supporting Solutions, Connected Care and Early Help, building strong and sustainable support networks. The role involves creating clear exit plans and contributing to positive court applications to discharge Care Orders.

This is a small, supportive and nurturing team where relationship-based practice, trauma-informed approaches and the Signs of Safety framework shape everything. Durham Children’s Services was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2025, with inspectors praising ambitious leadership, a strong practice culture and the sense of belonging felt by social workers.

You must be a qualified social worker with your ASYE completed. The team offers personalised induction, regular supervision, mentoring, and a wide range of training and development opportunities. Hybrid working applies with a minimum of two days per week in the Seaham Spectrum office.

Rate: £32.73 per hour. Start date: 2 July 2026. Sourced via Comensura.

For an informal chat contact Team Manager Sarah Hugh at Sarah.Hugh3@durham.gov.uk or 03000267283. Apply now to join one of the country’s leading children’s services teams.

What’s on offer:

* Excellent, competitive pay rates – paid weekly
* Supportive management team with approachable, experienced leaders
* A desirable location with great transport links
* A stable, well-resourced, and encouraging working environment

Why join Semester.co.uk?

* Free ongoing CPD and training opportunities to enhance your skills
* Competitive rates of pay with prompt, reliable payments through our in-house payroll
* Enhanced DBS processing included
* Dedicated, friendly consultant offering tailored support
* Access to a wide range of opportunities in your chosen location

Ready to take the next step? Click ‘Apply’ now to express your interest in this role, or explore other exciting opportunities with Semester.co.uk.