Learning Disabilities & Autism Social Worker - Darlington

📍 Darlington

💼 Locum Opportunity
🕒 Full-time | Hybrid working available

I'm 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.

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.

• 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

✅ 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

• 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

With over 20+ years' recruitment experience, I take a straightforward, honest approach - no pushy sales, just genuine support to help you find the right role.

✅ Access to exclusive roles not on the open market
✅ Honest advice and tailored interview prep
✅ Ongoing support throughout your contract
✅ £300 referral bonus if you recommend a colleague

For more information or to apply, contact:

Davina Cripps
📞 (phone number removed)
📧 (url removed)

If this one isn't quite right, still get in touch - I work with a range of Adult Social Work opportunities across the UK.

Caritas Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.