Social Worker – Countywide Enhanced Support Inreach

About the role

Social Worker – Countywide Enhanced Support Inreach

Permanent, Full Time

£37,185 to £50,081 per annum

Location: Countywide

Interview date: 23rd June 2025 in person at Freebournes, Witham

This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Worker’s (NQSW) with relevant experience in Learning Disabilities or Mental Health. The starting salary for NQSW's is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.

With us, you can achieve more – for yourself as well as the vulnerable adults you work to support. We’re always looking for new ways to deliver even better services, Social Workers play an integral role in our preventative approach to Social Care. We encourage our multi-disciplinary teams to share their ideas and experience. We work together to get things done. Bring your positive, proactive attitude, and we’ll empower you to make the most of your experience within Essex County Council (ECC) Adult Social Care services.

The Team

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Social Worker to join our Countywide Enhanced Support In Reach Team. This opportunity would suit an experienced social worker looking to develop their skills in working with adults with significant complexity of need who may be in hospital, complex residential or supported living settings and someone who is keen to develop their knowledge further around the legislative frameworks that inform our work.

The team comprises Social Workers, an Occupational Therapist and Behaviour Advisors. We work alongside people with a complexity of needs related to their Learning Disability/Autism, Mental or Physical Health or a combination of all the above. The role works closely with health partners in inpatient settings, to identify opportunities for people to leave hospital. In addition to this, we work together to support people in the community to sustain their placement in residential or supported living. The role requires close partnership working with a range of partners, including health and the Court of Protection.

We are looking for a social worker who would like the opportunity to work in a team where the focus is on relationship-based work and building independence through a positive approach to risk and the strengths-based model; supporting people through case management and developing discharge pathways out of hospital. We are taking a systemic approach to underpin our work and provide regular opportunities to reflect on practice, providing an environment where professional curiosity and creative solutions are encouraged.

What our team say about their experience since joining Essex:

Andy, Social Worker – “I feel genuinely supported in the team and happy to support others with my own knowledge and experience. I think Essex offer an excellent and wide variety of training, both online and in person to support my continuous professional development.”

Alice, Occupational Therapist - “I love the professional curiosity and the cohesiveness of the team that allows me as an Occupational Therapist to work collaboratively in an environment, where each individual profession is valued for their contribution.”

This role sits within our Countywide team and can be based any of our Essex quadrants for administrative purposes, with hot desking opportunities across the whole of Essex, including health buildings. Countywide travel is required as part of this role. Flexible working patterns including condensed working over 4 days can be considered.

About You

To apply you should be a qualified social worker with a current Social Work England registration. You’ll bring at least 1 year’s post qualifying social work experience, evidence of continuing professional development, and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.

There is a need for attention to detail and positive knowledge of not only the Care Act and Mental Health Act, but also the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty and Court of Protection procedures. The postholder would be confident in person-centred and positive risk-taking approach.

You’ll also bring:

Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
An in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
The ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.

This role involves travelling around Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Why Join Us?

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

What We Offer

We’ll support you to be your best…

Training and development to empower you from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
With us you can make your career work for you with flexible working options
With us you can get the support you need with employee wellbeing and counselling
Lease Car scheme
Up to £8000 for relocation*
With us you can have peace of mind with life assurance of three times annual salary
Payment of professional fees for approved professions
Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ’s about the LGPS.
Volunteering leave
27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
Employee Networks – communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

*T&Cs Apply.

Apply now.

For more information please contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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