Following the success of our 2023 Return to Social Care Programme, Essex County Council (ECC) are proud to launch the Return to Practice programme for 2024. Our Return to Practice programme has been designed specifically for qualified Social Workers and Occupational Therapists who may be looking to return to practice within Adult Social Care (ASC) or Children and Families (C&F).
The key feature of our Return to Practice Programme is our investment in you, the ‘Returnee’. Whether you’ve been out of practice or your registration has lapsed, this programme could be ideal for you.
We’re committed to supporting your return to this fulfilling and rewarding profession by offering flexible roles based at a range of office locations across Essex. This programme will enable you to re-educate yourself with legislation and systematic practices whilst regaining experience and knowledge, so you can confidently return to practice, making a positive difference in the lives of Essex residents.
Our Return to Practice programme has two different pathways dependant on your profession; Return to Social Work or Return to Occupational Therapy. For each programme, you’ll work alongside skilled and dedicated colleagues who share your determination to support people to achieve and maintain maximum choice and control over their lives.
Welcome
“There has never been a better time to return to a role in social work here in Essex. Social Work and Occupational Therapy are at the forefront of our systemic, strength-based and person-centred practice – come join us and make the difference every day!
I would welcome you to consider that now is the right time for you to return to practice. You can make the difference every day alongside our residents whilst we support you to return to a dynamic and rewarding role in a supported way.
Thank you for your interest in joining us, myself and the leadership team look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you into our teams.”
Alison Ansell, Director of Adult Social Care
“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 which is why Essex Children’s Services are excited to support the Return to Practice Programme.”
Helen Lincoln, Executive Director of Children and Families Social Care
Return to Social Work
Get back to doing what you love as a Social Worker in our award-winning Adults or Children and Families functions.
Return to Occupational Therapy
Step back into the world of Occupational Therapy and reignite your passion within our Adult Social Care function.
A look into our roles
With us you can:
- Choose a role in various locations across Essex to suit you, whether you are looking for full-time or part-time.
- Undertake a 6-month training and coaching programme, offered by our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) to gain your re-registration evidence.
- Receive the support you need from work buddies, mentors and Practice Educators during the training period.
- Be guaranteed a qualified role within ECC upon successful completion of the training programme and probationary period.
- Return to work without any upfront costs as ECC will pay your restoration and registration fees with Social Work England or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Access to our bespoke wellbeing service specifically designed for those working in Social Care.
- Be in paid employment and enrolled into the Essex Pension scheme from your first day.
How we will support you
During the 6-month re-training period, you’ll be given operational work placements, comprehensive coaching and mentoring and the support to build the skills you need to get back to work and to re-register. There are three ways in which you can update your skills knowledge and experience:
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Supervised Practice
Any out-of-date skills or knowledge will be overcome with the help of supervision with a supportive and experienced Practice Educator. You’ll be providing support or information to residents of Essex who draw on care and support services, shadowing or taking part in assessment and support planning conversations and attending your own training.
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Formal Study
Specific training and coaching will be provided by Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) covering topics such as (but not limited to) the legal framework for practice, strengths based approaches and systemically informed practice.
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Private Study
Private Study will include any activity which is self-directed and keeps your skills and knowledge up to date. This might include reading journal articles or books, viewing or attending webinars or other online or in person talks and lectures, attending training sessions and any informal work shadowing.
You will also have access to training and support on digital upskilling, work/life balance, imposter syndrome, resilience and confidence in the workplace.
What we can offer you
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Salary
Our Social Care pay ranges are linked to professional capability competency frameworks, so we offer an attractive starting salary. This is unique to Essex County Council and it ensures clear progression and development for our registered professionals and other social care colleagues.
Upon successful completion of the 6-month training programme, probation period and post re-registration, your salary will increase to at least £37,715 per annum.
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Benefits
Standard ECC benefits include:
- Flexible working options
- Access to employee support and wellbeing services
- 26 days annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees) plus bank holidays and an option to purchase extra holiday
- Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
- Up to 4 days per year volunteering leave
- Eye care vouchers
- Travel discounts and season ticket loans
- Wide range of leaning and development opportunities
- Essex Rewards – a unique platform for ECC employees to take advantage of including Healthcare and Dental Plans at corporate rates, tax-free savings on childcare via salary sacrifice, discounts and benefits at many local and national outlets including supermarkets, shopping, restaurants, technology purchases and holidays, cashback on purchases plus much more.
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Employee Assistance Programme
Our Employee Assistance Helpline offers you and your family members access to information, advice and telephone counselling on a variety of personal and workplace issues. Funded by Essex County Council and provided by an external company, the helpline sits side-by-side with our occupational health service offering.
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Wellbeing events
Run by internal and external experts, these events are the opportunity to take time out of your day and focus on your wellbeing. From yoga to mindfulness, exercise or flower arranging – we try to keep it as varied as possible so everyone gets the chance to join in.
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Wellbeing focussed training
Learning at Essex County Council is not a one-off event. It’s an ongoing journey. We offer both formal and informal wellbeing-based training. This includes online ‘on demand’ training and classroom sessions, and a strong wellbeing focus at our learning events.
You can view our Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2025 here.
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‘Here For You’
Returnees will also be able to access ‘Here For You’ – the new bespoke wellbeing service specially for Social Care employees.
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Employee support networks
We strive to create a workplace in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We offer a number of employee panels and forums that you might be interested in joining. In addition to this we have a wide range of specific staff support networks for employees including Carers Forum, Disabled Employees Network, Ethnically Diverse Employee Network, Parent’s Network, Women’s Network plus much more.
Our networks offer employees a forum to highlight issues that affect them within a safe environment, as well as influence change within the council.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for either the Return to Social Work or the Return to Occupational Therapy Programme, you must:
- Be qualified and previously registered as a Social Worker, either with Social Work England or their predecessor, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Or alternatively, be qualified and previously registered as an Occupational Therapist, either with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or their predecessor Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM).
- Not have been removed from the register due to one of the offences listed in SWE’s Registration Rules.
- Not have been subject to a removal order within the last five years.
- If you were removed from the register more than five years ago, you must not have made an unsuccessful attempt to re-register in the past 12 months.
For further information
The Recruitment Consultant for this programme is Hayley Bincalar. Hayley ran our 2023 Return to Social Care Programme and will help guide you through the recruitment process and answer any questions you may have. You can email Hayley at: work.placements@essex.gov.uk
ECC are a Disability Confident Leader: we are 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 Hayley if you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.