At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities and autism to achieve positive outcomes.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Adult Social Care team in Darlington.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a supportive culture, and meaningful work.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while managing impactful cases.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in Adult Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 36840 £ per year.
Darlington Locum Opportunity
Full-time | Hybrid working available
I am currently working with a forward‑thinking Adult Social Care team in Darlington who are looking to appoint an experienced Learning Disabilities & Autism Social Worker to join their service. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a genuinely lovely, supportive team that is making a real difference to the lives of adults with learning disabilities and autism, supporting them to achieve positive, person‑centred outcomes.
Please note: there is a strong focus on clearing a backlog of Care Act Assessments, so this role would suit someone confident, organised, and able to hit the ground running.
About the Role
You will play a key role in delivering statutory social work responsibilities, working with adults across Darlington to safeguard and promote independence using a strength‑based approach. This is not a role for newly qualified workers – you will be trusted with complex cases and expected to contribute to wider service delivery during a busy period.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing a caseload of complex adults with learning disabilities and/or autism
- Undertaking a high volume of Care Act Assessments to support backlog reduction
- Completing reviews and safeguarding enquiries
- Promoting independence, wellbeing, and personalised outcomes
- Working collaboratively with families, carers, and multi‑agency partners
- Taking a lead role in complex case management and decision‑making
- Supporting service delivery during a period of increased demand
What We're Looking For
- Qualified Social Worker (ESSENTIAL)
- Social Work England registered
- Proven post‑qualified experience in Adult Social Care
- Strong background in Learning Disabilities and Autism
- Confident managing complex caseloads and safeguarding work
- Comfortable working at pace to clear outstanding assessments
- Strong understanding of strength‑based, person‑centred practice
Why Consider This Role?
- Join a supportive, welcoming team with a great working culture
- Play a key role in meaningful improvement work across the service
- Opportunity to work with complex, impactful cases
- Hybrid working for improved work‑life balance
Learning Disabilities & Autism Social Worker - Darlington in Southampton employer: Caritas Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking Adult Social Care team in Darlington, where you will be part of a supportive and welcoming environment dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and autism. With a strong focus on employee growth and a hybrid working model, this role offers the chance to manage complex cases while enjoying a healthy work-life balance, all within a culture that values collaboration and person-centred outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Disabilities & Autism Social Worker - Darlington in Southampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Caritas Recruitment.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Caritas Recruitment!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Caritas Recruitment, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Caritas Recruitment or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Disabilities & Autism Social Worker - Darlington in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Caritas Recruitment:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Caritas Recruitment! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caritas Recruitment
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
