Adults Social Worker – Neighbourhood Team in Colchester

Permanent, Full Time £38,487 to £51,834 per annum

Location: Colchester

Working Style: Community-based worker

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 experienced, passionate and proactive Social Workers to join our North Essex Neighbourhood team. The team operate across Colchester and form 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. The desired candidate will ideally live locally to the area and will have knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and the Care Act with established experience in Adult Social Care.

About the Role

As a Social Worker in our Neighbourhood Team, you will:

• Undertake Care Act‑compliant assessments, reviews, and support planning.
• Work with adults with a range of needs, including older people, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and safeguarding concerns.
• Apply strengths‑based and person‑centred approaches to promote independence and wellbeing.
• Participate in safeguarding enquiries in line with Section 42 of the Care Act.
• Work collaboratively with health colleagues, voluntary sector partners, and wider MDTs.
• Manage a varied caseload while maintaining professional standards and high‑quality practice.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified and experienced Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Has worked as a qualified social worker in a local authority adult social care Team managing a varied caseload.
• Has a sound understanding of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding practice.
• Demonstrates strong assessment, risk management, decision‑making and professional analysis skills.
• Is confident working autonomously in terms of case work planning, managing diary to ensure practice standards are maintained.
• Actively contributes to a supportive team culture through sharing learning, research, and articles around the broader environmental factors.
• Is committed to critical reflective practice, learning, and continuous professional development demonstrated by engagement within the team in general.
• Has experience of chairing meetings.
• Is able to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community.
• Keeps case recording up to date with relevant information including case summaries where relevant.
• Takes professional accountability and responsibility in line with Social Work England practice standards.

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. We can consider a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) for one of these vacancies. Please note that the starting salary for a NQSW is £36,124 per annum, rising to £38,487 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.

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 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.”

What We Offer

We’ll support you to be your best and will 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.

Disability Confident and Equality 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.

Additional Information

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC), if your role requires 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.

Safeguarding Commitment

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.