Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

We’re an adult social care service that wants to see citizens of Essex have as much choice and control over the way they live their lives as possible. We think everyone should have the chance to live a full and fulfilling life with people they love and care about, doing things that matter to them and living in a place they can call home. We’re determined that with the right support, everyone can maintain or achieve some independence and we’re proud to be working to make these ambitions a reality.

Our Social Workers work alongside people and their families and carers to help them think through what might help them get on with their lives in the way that works best for them. We do this within the framework of our statutory Care Act requirements. This means many of our conversations are framed as ‘assessments’, ‘reviews’, ‘support planning’ and ‘safeguarding’. But our aim is always to listen and understand what matters to the person and then to work with them to think through how this might be achieved.

About the Team

We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join our North Essex Neighbourhood team. The team operate across Colchester, forming part of a Neighbourhood approach linking closely with our partners in health, housing and voluntary sector.

The team work with people aged 18 and above across all specialisms, undertaking a wide range of duties under the Care Act 2014 from assessment, reviews, mental capacity assessments and adult safeguarding.

About the Role

The role will involve conducting care act assessments, reviews and safeguarding. The desired candidate will live locally to the area to be able to be responsive and will have knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Care Act with established experience in Adult Social Care.

Hybrid working is offered, with an expectation to be office based at Rowan House in Colchester around 2 to 3 days per week depending on business need for collaborative team working and training.

About You

To apply, you should be a qualified social worker post ASYE with current Social Work England registration and established experience in Adult Social Care. You’ll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. As a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations, and guidance.

With experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members, carers, and other multi-agency professionals, we’re looking for your ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for vulnerable adults.

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 and beyond. A driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Why Join Us?

In June 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our Adult Social Care services as “Good” with a score of 73%.

“The local authority had a good structure and processes in place to enable people to be supported successfully, and support people to remain independent and live healthy lives. The workforce was passionate about supporting people to achieve these outcomes and the local authority had good knowledge of their area, the people living there and the demographics.”

We welcome diversity because it makes us grow and we’re determined to become a fully inclusive and anti-racist organisation.

What We Offer

• Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development
• Flexible working options
• Employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease Car scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 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
• Payment of your Social Work England registration fees!

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

Apply now.

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