Welcome from Helen, Executive Director Children, Families and Education
“We know that social work is a demanding, complex but fulfilling role. We understand the importance of equipping you with the tools to build meaningful relationships and make lasting changes to those we work with and who need us most. Our services are diverse, and we have interesting and stimulating opportunities for everyone, as well as a real mix of career pathways you can explore with us here at Essex County Council (ECC).
We support our social worker colleagues to deliver fantastic social work through our comprehensive learning and development offer, delivered by our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA).
I am incredibly proud of the work of our social care teams and the recognition received for our childrens services achievements at ECC. External recognition has included winning the national Social Worker of the Year Award in 2014 and 2016 and Best Social Worker Employer at the 2018 Social Worker of the Year Awards. In June 23, our Children & Families teams and Youth Offending Service were awarded ‘outstanding’ in all categories by Ofsted. This was the 2nd inspection in a row Essex Children Services received ‘Outstanding’.
If this kind of environment resonates with you and you enjoy making a difference, we’d be delighted to receive your application. Essex is a great place to work. It is the perfect time to joins us and we would love to see you join us and be part of our Essex team.
Good luck and best wishes.”
Apply now
Overview of the role
Job title: Director for Children’s Social Care
Salary: £117,546
Are you relentlessly committed to making a difference to the lives of children and young people in Essex?
At Essex County Council, we believe in redefining the way we approach social care to prioritise flexibility and wellbeing for our dedicated colleagues working on the frontline of Children’s Services. The Children and Families service works with partners to deliver a range of interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
The role requires someone with strong project management and influencing skills to help deliver complex cultural change and create a clear vision for the future of social care at Essex County Council. Within a challenging financial environment, you’ll be required to develop and implement strategy in key areas of practice, as well as form strong relationships across teams to ensure our services are commercially viable.
We’re looking for someone with a thorough understanding of social work, knowledge of the local social and economic challenges, who can design service plans which create positive change.
Take a look at the full job advert and apply now
So, what does it take?
There’s ‘no magic’ to the work we do in Essex. Just hope and heart, and a lot of hard work. Watch this video to understand what it takes to join us in Children & Families.
More about the role
As part of the function’s senior leadership team and reporting directly to the Executive Director - Children & Families, you will be determined and resilient, leading delivery of high quality frontline children’s social care services across the West Essex Quadrant.
Location
The role covers the areas of Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping Forest (highlighted in green on the map above).
Not based in Essex? Don’t let that stop you – our West Quadrant is easily accessible from London and Hertfordshire.
You can reach West Essex from London via London Underground’s Central Line, which stops at Loughton and Epping. Harlow can be reached via the Standard Express from London Liverpool St in 30min, and from Stratford in under an hour. If travelling by car, the A12 and M11 offer access to West Essex areas in under an hour.
From Hertfordshire, the A414, M25 and M11 give good access to West Essex in under an hour.
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Join an Ofsted outstanding team
Last year, Ofsted rated our children’s social care services as ‘Outstanding’ again in every area assessed. Inspectors found high standards were in place across the county, and they highlighted the innovative, high-quality help and support available. They also praised employees and how children’s needs are at the heart of decision making.
Hear from our staff in Children and Families
“What I love about working for Essex is that there is no hierarchy amongst colleagues… When I initially started as a social worker I naively worried I would be treated differently or my superiors would be unapproachable. I truly couldn’t have been more wrong! Along with my manager, the service manager and even director of local delivery knows my face, name and me as a person.”
Shannon, Senior Practitioner
“I love working for Essex County Council… The teams I manage and work with have strengthened me, and I’m amazed by their knowledge and tenacity. I feel encouraged by senior leaders to grow, progress, and take on different lead areas.”
Bianka, Service Manager
“I love working within a really experienced team who offer fantastic support to each other. I actually enjoy going to work and have a sense of pride in all the work we do.”
Tina, Senior Practitioner
Apply now
Helping early – Helen’s blog post
Read Helen’s blog post about her experience at the Eastern Region’s Early Help Conference, which brought local authorities together to share best practices. The event highlighted collaborative efforts, and showed how early help is vital for addressing the challenges families face and how it is a crucial policy area for improving childhood experiences. Helping early | ADCS
What’s important to us?
Find out about our plans, projects and promises via the download links below:
Downloads
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Want to know more about Children and Families?
Check out our dedicated Children and Families page on Working for Essex. Find out what it’s like to work in an Ofsted outstanding team who are serious about social work.
Find out more and get in touch
We hope you’ve found this role of interest.
If you have any questions or queries about the role, please contact marc.galea@essex.gov.uk