Social Worker - Children in Care West Essex

Social Worker - Children in Care West Essex

Permanent, Full Time

£36,101 to £48,622 per annum

Location: Harlow

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 16th July 2024

This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Experienced Social Workers. (The starting salary for a NQSW is £33,885 per annum and this will rise to £36,101 per annum on successful completion of the ASYE programme).

Essex County Council understand how important flexibility and wellbeing is for our colleagues working across children's Social Care and that we need to think differently. We have therefore developed a nine-day working fortnight for full time frontline Social Workers within Children's services.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!

Please take a look at our 'No Magic' Children & Families video here

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

Job Purpose Summary

As a specialist Social Worker within the Children in Care team, your role involves working Separated Migrant Young People arriving in Essex. You'll conduct initial needs assessments and age assessments where necessary. Previous experience of Merton compliant age assessment is advantageous but it is not a requirement, training will be provided. You will be working extensively with Separated Migrant Young People, operating in a trauma-informed, anti-racist manner to address health and educational needs. Additionally, you'll manage a caseload, aiming for positive outcomes while considering Home Office decisions on residency.

As a social worker in the team you will support colleagues, attend group supervision and. The role includes managing a defined caseload, the social worker will be responsible for working effectively with children, young people and families/carers to achieve positive change and improved outcomes. This includes enquiry, assessment, purposeful intervention through direct work and review in relation to Child Protection, Child in Need and Children Looked After, achieving permanency through care for Children in Care, whilst acknowledging that any decision on permanency will be dependent on the Home Office decision on length of leave to remain in the UK.

Our Children in Care Teams work with children and young people who are in care up to the age of 18. Children in Care Team's provide a high quality service to children who are unable to live at home and are placed with foster carers or supported accommodation post 16. The work includes ensuring that all statutory requirements are met. The team are committed to high quality work and engagement with all children in care to maximise the potential of young people. They work with a range of agencies, including Home Office, Immigration, Solicitors, Health and Education to ensure that care plans are effective.

What you'll need to join our Social Work teams

• Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
• Registration with Social Work England as registered Social Worker.
• Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
• Case recording.
• Demonstrate ability in the application of SW knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.
• A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems e.g. Word, SW case recording systems.
• Required to work flexibly as required, including evenings and weekends if necessary.

To read more about us please visit: Children & Families

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England's oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest - Basildon and Harlow - are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

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.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.

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

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.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here .

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email #####

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