Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults and families with safeguarding and assessments in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Darlington Borough Council, committed to making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on people's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Best Interest Assessor with experience in safeguarding adults.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with strong team identity and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36800 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
Social Work – Adult Service (Ref: POS000907)
Salary Full time equivalent salary Band 11 (£42,839 – £46,142 per annum) Salary Band £40,001 to £50,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Full time
Job and Application details
Categories Social Work – Adult Service
Directorate N/A Published Date 09/10/2025 Closing Date 17/10/2025
** INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY **
We are looking for a permanent Social Worker who is a Qualified Best Interest Assessor and is experienced in safeguarding adults. They must share our passion in working with adults and their families with a \\\”Think Family approach\\\”. You need to be committed to strength-based practice, focusing on enabling people as much as possible to build on their own networks and strengths as a means of promoting their own safety and overall well-being.
The team are motivated and committed to promoting the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal. We have developed strong multi-agency relationships with a range of partners to ensure the principles of MSP is a fundamental feature of the work we undertake with adults. Darlington has a stable provider market and excellent collaborations with stakeholders and partners.
You will be completing Deprivation of Liberty safeguards assessments in your role as a BIA. You should have a good working knowlege of relevant legislation, including but not limited to; The Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended 2007, The Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act 2014.
As an experienced Social Worker you will be required to support with triaging concerns, contacts and DoLS requests.
You should have skills in analysing and assessing risk, and looking at risk in the context of the persons wellbeing.
You will provide Safeguarding assessments and interventions for Adults aged 18+ in the Darlington area in line with current legislation. We are based at the Town Hall in Darlington and currently offer a Blended working approach which includes working from home.
The team works proactively with service users, their families, carers and professionals to safeguard and protect adults at risk. The dynamic nature of the team is underpinned by a passionate commitment to the principles underpinning The Care Act (2014) and strong emphasis on Making Safeguarding Personal.
What’s in it for you?
Our team offers regular supervision and appraisal, excellent training opportunities and a strong team identity. As an Adults Social Worker in Darlington, you can expect to be fully supported on your development journey by robust caseload management, regular supervision and appraisal, outstanding training and development opportunities.
The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:
- 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-1/why-work-for-us/
Find out further information about us and what it’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 Job Description and Person Specification.
For a further informal discussion, please contact Clair Wallis (Team Manager) at Clair.Wallis@Darlington.gov.uk . 01325 406111 or Rachel Watt (service manager) Rachel.Watt@Darlington.gov.uk
General Information for Applicants:
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 .
If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please fill out the form within the link below.
https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/contactus
All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
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.
We are an equal opportunities\’ 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.
The post requires a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure and Adults Barred List check.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Social Work - Adult Service employer: Darlington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Darlington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work - Adult Service
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work, especially those who are already in the Darlington area. They might have insider info on the role or even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of relevant legislation. Make sure you can discuss how you’ve applied the Mental Capacity Act and other laws in your previous roles. We want to see that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also apply it in practice!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for safeguarding adults! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in people's lives. We love hearing about your experiences and how you embody the 'Think Family' approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to check out our website for any additional resources or tips on applying. We’ve got loads of info that can help you stand out in the application process. Plus, applying through our site gives you a better chance of being noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work - Adult Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience as a Qualified Best Interest Assessor. Use keywords from the job description, like 'safeguarding adults' and 'strength-based practice', to show we’re on the same page.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with adults and their families shine through! Share examples of how you’ve applied a 'Think Family approach' in your previous roles to demonstrate your commitment to this vital aspect of social work.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance. We love clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation like the Mental Capacity Act and the Care Act. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the laws, but that you understand how they apply in real-world scenarios.
✨Emphasise Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully implemented strength-based practices or completed safeguarding assessments. This will help demonstrate your hands-on experience and commitment to the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal.
✨Show Your Passion for Social Work
During the interview, express your genuine passion for working with adults and their families. Share stories that highlight your dedication to a 'Think Family' approach and how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how the council supports its social workers. This shows that you’re not only interested in the role but also in how you can grow within the organisation.