Senior Social Worker – Children in Care

Our client, rated Outstanding by Ofsted (March 2025), is seeking a passionate, child‑centred Social Worker to join the specialist Connecting Families team in Durham. This role focuses on high‑quality reunification, supporting children and young people (0–18) subject to Section 31 Care Orders to safely return to and remain with their families.

• Reunification Practice: Support families to create the right conditions for children to safely return home, ensuring the child’s voice remains at the centre of all planning.
• Relationship‑Based Practice: Utilize trauma‑informed approaches and the Signs of Safety framework to shape interventions and support networks.
• Direct Work: Spend meaningful time with children and young people to help them make sense of their experiences and ensure their views guide your work.
• Partnership Working: Collaborate closely with partners such as Family Group Conferencing, Supporting Solutions, and Early Help to build sustainable support systems.
• Court & Exit Planning: Create clear exit plans and contribute to positive court applications for the discharge of Care Orders.
• Reporting: Write clear, reflective assessments and maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records in line with service standards.

• Outstanding Culture: Recognised by Ofsted for ambitious leadership and a strong practice culture where social workers feel a sense of belonging.
• Development: Benefit from a personalised induction, regular supervision, mentoring, and extensive training opportunities.
• Nurturing Team: Work within a small, supportive, and nurturing environment dedicated to best‑practice reunification.

• Hybrid Working: Support for a healthy work‑life balance through flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Office Presence: A minimum of two days per week in the office is required, based at the Seaham Spectrum Office.
• Equality and Safeguarding: Durham is committed to achieving equal opportunities and protecting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

• Registration: Social Work England registration and a recognised social work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, or Degree).
• ASYE Completion: Completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) is essential.
• Core
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to build strong relationships, communicate effectively in complex situations, and produce high‑quality reflective assessments.
• Practice Knowledge: Familiarity with trauma‑informed practice and the Signs of Safety framework is highly desirable.

Liquid Personnel is an equal opportunities employer. Liquid Personnel Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.