At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals in a multi-agency environment, tackling domestic and child abuse.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub in County Durham.
- Benefits: Full-time, permanent role with a supportive work culture and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for personal growth and impactful community service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience in safeguarding.
- Qualifications: 4 GCSEs including English and at least 6 months of administration experience required.
The predicted salary is between 22950 - 28050 £ per year.
Location: Parsons Court, Newton Aycliffe
Hours/Contract: Full-time, Permanent, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, core hours of 8am to 4pm
Closing Date: 5pm, Wednesday 2nd September 2026
The Role
The Support Officer will work within the Central Referral Unit (CRU) in the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) as part of a multi-agency response to Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse and Adult Abuse in County Durham and Darlington. This includes supporting MARAC that deals with high-risk domestic abuse and Strategy Team support regarding child protection.
What You’ll Do
- Provide a complete, comprehensive and confidential support service to the CRU, MASH, MARAC, Strategy Team, internal professionals, external Police Forces and key partner agencies.
- Be a point of contact for advice and information and foster good relations with departments within own force, external forces and partnership agencies to facilitate the exchange of data and information.
- Perform detailed and thorough interrogation and research of police databases and intelligence systems to identify and record relevant information to allow an assessment and identification of risk to any child or vulnerable adult.
- Prepare reports for multi-agency meetings, child protection conferences and confidential reports. (This will also involve being exposed to information or material of a sensitive and distressing nature).
What You’ll Bring
- 4 GCSEs at levels (Grade A to C / 9/4) including English Language or literature or an approved equivalent.
- At least 6 months administration experience e.g. composing original letters and documents, maintaining accurate records.
- If you hold a higher qualification than those required above or minimum 5 years relevant experience, please evidence this on your application and it will be reviewed by our recruitment team.
Further information
- Any offer of employment will be subject to appropriate vetting checks which will be maintained/updated throughout the period of service.
- Applicants must have been a UK resident for at least three years prior to the date of application.
- If applicants have not been a resident in the UK for at least three years, they can provide a VERIFIABLE certificate from the police of any country where they have taken temporary residence. The certificate must indicate that they have not been convicted of any offence whilst in that country or involved in any investigation by a Law Enforcement Agency.
- Any tattoos deemed to be obscene, or advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, by written word or design is prohibited and the presence of such a tattoo would preclude an applicant from passing the recruitment process for employment with the Constabulary.
Please return the relevant application form and the equal opportunity form.
Please note: some documents may not currently be suited for use with assistive technology. If you require information in an alternative format, please contact us.
MASH Support Officer employer: Durham Constabulary
Durham Constabulary is an outstanding employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the community while working in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong commitment to employee development and a culture that values innovation and efficiency, you will have access to professional growth opportunities and the chance to contribute to transformative initiatives in public service. Located in the heart of Durham, this role not only provides a competitive salary but also the satisfaction of serving the public good.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MASH Support Officer
✨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 Durham Constabulary.
✨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 Durham Constabulary!
✨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 Durham Constabulary, 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 Durham Constabulary 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 MASH Support Officer
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 Durham Constabulary:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Durham Constabulary! 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 Durham Constabulary
✨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.