We recognise social work can be challenging and multifaceted, but a very rewarding sector to work in.
With Essex County Council you can develop a career that enables you to achieve your goals in a range of roles across our services.
Our Return to Social Work Programme is available for Social Workers interested in returning to practice with either Adult Social Care or Children and Families. Click on the link below for further information of each function.
Adult Social Care
“If you’re thinking of a return to social work, then do take a look at what we have to offer here in Essex Adult Social Care. Warm and welcoming teams with clear leadership and supportive managers, a fabulous professional development offer that will help you to develop your skills and build your career and most importantly, a deep shared commitment to supporting citizens of Essex to have maximum choice and control over their lives.”
Dr Tanya Moore, Principal Social Worker
Our Quests
In Adult Social Care we want to be as diverse as the communities we serve and have an inclusive culture where everyone has the chance to thrive. We have developed a Quest programme which enables colleagues to leave the ‘day job’ for a 6-week period so that they can explore what it is like to work in ASC from an equality, inclusion, and diversity perspective against a protected characteristic.
At the end of each Quest, our colleagues (Questors) share their findings and recommendations with our senior leaders so that we can make service developments and improvements. This is very much led by our workforce and supported by our leaders. We have held Quests on Race, Disability, LGBTQIA+ and Age and have a future Quest planned to consider mental health. We have received insightful feedback from the Quests, and they are integral to promoting ED&I within Adult Social Care.
You can find out more information here:
Applications for our current cohort are now closed. For more information on our next programme, please email: work.placements@essex.gov.uk
ECC on the Community Care Podcast
Alison, Phil and Ganiyat spoke about Anti-racist practice in a recent podcast with Community Care.
You can listen to the podcast in full by clicking on the image below:
Learn more about our award-winning Adult Social Care team on their role page.
Children and Families
“Our Children’s services are diverse, and we have interesting and stimulating opportunities for everyone, as well a real mix of career pathways you can explore with us.
With our return to social care, outstanding services and championing your wellbeing; could Essex Children’s Services be the right place for you to kick start your return to practice? We would certainly love to see you join us and be part of our Essex team.”
Helen Lincoln, Executive Director of Children and Families Social Care
Meet Ziggy
After having a career break due to caring responsibilities, Ziggy returned to Social Care in 2021 as a Social Worker and has since been promoted to Senior Practitioner.
We also champion Social Worker wellbeing and have recently been able to implement a 9-day working fortnight for our frontline children’s Social Workers.
Applications for our current cohort are now closed. For more information on our next programme, please email: work.placements@essex.gov.uk
We’re outstanding!
Children & Families teams and Youth Offending Service were awarded ‘outstanding’ in all categories by Ofsted in June 2023. This was the 2nd inspection in a row Essex Children Services received ‘Outstanding’.
Recruitment timeline
| Application window open | Our Return to Practice Programme is open for applications in January and June. When the application window is open, you can submit your application, including your CV, by clicking here. Once we have received your application, we will be in contact to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have. If you would like further information, please send an email to work.placements@essex.gov.uk where a member of the team will be happy to assist you. |
| Interview technique workshop | To help those of you who may be feeling a little nervous at the thought of going through an interview process again, we’ll be hosting an online workshop to provide guidance for successful interviewing. |
| Interviews | Your interview will be held in person at your preferred office location and will consist of a case study and a question and answer style interview. There will be at least two people on the interview panel and a member of the Entry to Work Team will attend the interview with you to support you throughout. |
| Interview Outcome | You’ll be notified of the outcome of your interview and offers will be made to successful individuals. Should you not be successful, you’ll be provided with comprehensive feedback on your interview to aid your future applications. |
| Compliance | Once you have accepted your conditional offer of employment, your file will be moved over to our Employment Vetting Team to process pre-employment checks. You’ll be assigned an Employment Vetting Officer who will be your single point of contact throughout this process. |
| Programme Start | You will join ECC as either a Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner (ASC) or a Family Support Worker (C&F) while you complete your re-registration. You will be provided with a detailed training schedule and be invited to attend our Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) induction programme. The induction day has been designed to welcome all new joiners to Social Care and will provide you with information and tools that will support you in your new role. |
Looking for further information? Head back to our Return to Practice home page.