Due to essential maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 6.00pm on Monday 2 October until 8.00am on Tuesday 3 October: our online council tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. You will also not be able to register to pay council tax online, make a change of address for council tax or cancel single person discount. You are still able to make a payment during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Social Care Direct

Social Care Direct can assist you to find information and advice to help you live as independently as you can. If your needs are urgent you should telephone Social Care Direct immediately on: 03000 267 979.

Opening hours

Social Care Direct is open from 8.30am until 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am until 4.30pm on Friday.

In an emergency situation, a duty officer is available outside of normal office hours on the telephone number listed on this page. If faxing or emailing outside of normal working office hours, please be aware that these enquiries will be dealt with on the next working day.

What happens when you contact Social Care Direct

When you contact us at Social Care Direct you will speak to a trained contact officer. They will ask you questions about your situation. We will decide whether we are able to help you. For further information on this see our Get your care needs assessed page.

If we are unable to help you we will advise you if there are other sources of help available.

Social Care Direct
: scd@durham.gov.uk
: 03000 267 979
: 0191 383 5752

Offsite links

Our regulator: The Care Quality Commission