Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism in Chelmsford
Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism

Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism in Chelmsford

Chelmsford Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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Connected Local Government

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities and autism to achieve their goals and independence.
  • Company: Essex County Council, a passionate adult social care service.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, 27 days leave, and employee wellbeing support.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your social work career.
  • Qualifications: Post ASYE registered Social Worker with experience in advocacy and community engagement.
  • Other info: Join a friendly team dedicated to positive outcomes and community solutions.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

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.

The Team

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Social Worker to join our busy high performing focus team for adults with a learning disability and/or autism. Working with community groups, family and carers you will ensure advocacy for people with learning disability and/or autism. We take a person-centred approach to practice and support adults with achieving their goals and ambitions, while also meeting their social care needs. This is achieved through direct work, multi-disciplinary approaches, collaboration and building local community links. The team are friendly and look to creative community solutions and early help alongside complex interventions and safeguarding adults. We are a dynamic team, working together to bring positive outcomes and ideas to life. The achievements within the team truly make a difference to the lives of the people we work with and take a step towards changing the opportunities and outcomes for adults in our local community.

This role offers hybrid working, with an expectation to be office based at Ely House in Basildon around 2 to 3 days per week depending on business need for collaborative team working and training.

About You

If you share our vision, enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories you might be interested to find out more about what we do. If you're also a Social Worker post ASYE registered with Social Work England with that winning combination of creative thought, reliability and practical ability to get things done, we'd really love to hear from you! You'll have a broad understanding of our statutory responsibilities and a commitment to meeting these in a person-centred way. You may have experience of chairing meetings, and you'll have an ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework. Experience of working with people with a learning disability and/or autism is desirable. Our Social Worker roles involve travelling around Essex. 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.

Our teams are busy but warm, friendly and supportive. Our fabulous team managers will help you manage your workload and develop your practice. We take your career just as seriously as you do, and we have a continuing professional development offer that's second to none. We welcome diversity because it makes us grow and we're determined to become a fully inclusive and an 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.

Important Legal/EEO Statements

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.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

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.

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.

Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism in Chelmsford employer: Connected Local Government

Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where your contributions truly make a difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and autism. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working options, and a focus on inclusivity, you will thrive in a culture that values your growth and well-being while working collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for the community. Join us in making a meaningful impact in Essex, where your passion for social work can flourish.
Connected Local Government

Contact Detail:

Connected Local Government Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism in Chelmsford

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the team! Before your interview, check out our social media and website to see what we're all about. Understanding our values and mission will help you connect with us during the chat.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience and how it aligns with our person-centred approach.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in people's lives. We love hearing about your creative solutions and how you've advocated for individuals with learning disabilities or autism.

✨Tip Number 4

Follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decision. Plus, it’s just good manners!

We think you need these skills to ace Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism in Chelmsford

Social Work
Person-Centred Approach
Assessment Skills
Support Planning
Safeguarding
Advocacy
Relationship Building
Collaboration
Multi-Disciplinary Approaches
Experience with Learning Disabilities
Experience with Autism
Creative Problem Solving
Communication Skills
Driving Licence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! Share why you care about supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism, and how you can make a difference in their lives.

Be Person-Centred: Remember to highlight your person-centred approach in your application. Talk about how you’ve worked with individuals and their families to understand their needs and aspirations, and how you’ve helped them achieve their goals.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role. Mention any relevant experience you have, especially in advocacy or working with community groups, and how it aligns with our mission at Essex County Council.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application stand out.

How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Local Government

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Social Worker in the context of learning disabilities and autism. Familiarise yourself with the Care Act requirements and be ready to discuss how you would apply these in real-life scenarios.

✨Show Your Passion

This role is all about making a difference in people's lives, so let your passion shine through! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to person-centred care and advocacy for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to face scenario-based questions during your interview. Think about past experiences where you've had to assess needs, plan support, or safeguard vulnerable adults. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions. Inquire about team dynamics, ongoing professional development opportunities, or how the team collaborates with community groups. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.

Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism in Chelmsford
Connected Local Government
Location: Chelmsford
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