At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Kinship Assessment Team to assess and support families providing long-term care for children.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in social work with an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, ongoing training, and supportive colleagues.
- Other info: Opportunity for newly qualified social workers and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Children and Families services and strong assessment writing skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 51834 - 51834 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
£38,487 to £51,834 Per Annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 22nd June 2026
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 having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row. This vacancy can accommodate a newly qualified social worker. Interviews will be held Monday 6th July, in person at County Hall Chelmsford.
The Role
We are looking for a social worker to join the Kinship Assessment Team. The team completes viability and full kinship foster carer and special guardianship assessments, and you will have the opportunity to undertake both, initially focusing on completing viability assessments for prospective CP/SG families.
The Opportunity
The Kinship Assessment Team was created in 2019 and has expanded to meet the demand across the County. We are seeking an experienced, resilient, self‑motivated, and creative Social Worker to join the team. In this fast‑paced role you will assess and support potential SGO/kinship carers who have come forward through the Public Law process, or by the Private Law route, and want to offer long‑term care for children who are connected to them. The team aims to undertake robust, analytical, and evidence‑based assessments focused on the trauma children suffered and how the proposed carer/special guardian will provide long‑term care. These assessments are prepared for the court or fostering panel, and you may need to give evidence in court or present your assessment to the fostering panel. From speaking to Special Guardians/Carers, we know that it is essential for them to be fully prepared and informed to make the right decisions. As a result, we provide preparation training days regularly.
The Social work role within the team brings the following:
- An exciting opportunity to use your assessment skills, knowledge of attachment and trauma and develop new skills.
- Hold a manageable caseload.
- Ensure ongoing development and training.
- Links with Coram BAAF and national development of National Kinship Strategy.
- Monthly supervision and team meetings.
- Working flexibly and manage your own diary.
- Being involved in the continuous development of the service within Essex.
- Take part in training delivery.
- Supportive and helpful colleagues who are there for each other and encourage joint working.
We are looking for a social worker with:
- Experience and a good understanding of work within Children and Families and Fostering service, preferably but not essential.
- Commitment to children remaining with their extended family when possible.
- Analytical assessment writing skills and record keeping are essential.
- Ability to undertake succinct, timely and thorough assessments in complex situations and to tight timescales.
- Experience of attending Court, fostering panel and producing good quality reports is beneficial.
- Understanding of the impact for carers of neglect/abuse and trauma on children and providing support through the assessment.
- Excellent communication skills are essential as you will work closely with families, other ECC services, including but limited to Fostering, Children in Care, FS&P and Legal Services, and alongside external agencies.
- Commitment to flexible working as some assessments will be out of county and/or with families who have huge demands on their time.
- Part of the duty system rota.
Benefits
- Mobile travel across Essex and beyond is required.
- Driving licence and car or alternative mobility arrangements are essential.
- DBS update service responsibility is mandatory if required.
- Support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements.
- Safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults.
EEO and Equal Opportunity
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to recruiting disabled applicants under the Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements. We also invite veterans and care leavers. All applicants are considered in accordance with Equality Act 2010, Title 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Mandatory Immigration Status and Employers Act 2014.
Contact and Application
If you have queries on this role, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk. The closing date is 22nd June 2026.
Social Worker – Kinship Assessment Team, Mid Essex in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an outstanding employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for social workers in the Kinship Assessment Team. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on meaningful community impact, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills while making a real difference in the lives of children and families. Join us in Chelmsford, where our investment in workforce excellence is matched by our dedication to fostering a culture of care and support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker – Kinship Assessment Team, Mid Essex in Chelmsford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Essex County Counci.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Essex County Counci!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Essex County Counci, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Essex County Counci or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker – Kinship Assessment Team, Mid Essex in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Essex County Counci:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County Counci! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
