At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable adults and promote independence through assessments and safeguarding.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in social care with a commitment to community support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, generous leave, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on early intervention and community resilience.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in Adult Social Care and current registration.
The predicted salary is between 38487 - 51834 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time £38,487 to £51,834 Per Annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 25th June 2026
With us, you can achieve more – for yourself as well as the vulnerable adults you work to support. We’re always looking for new ways to deliver even better services. Social Workers play an integral role in our preventative approach to Social Care. We encourage our multi-disciplinary teams to share their ideas and experience. We work together to get things done. Bring your positive, proactive attitude, and we’ll empower you to make the most of your experience within Essex County Council (ECC) Adult Social Care services.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Social Worker to join our West Essex Neighbourhood team. The team operates in Harlow, forming part of a Neighbourhood approach linking closely with our partners in health, housing and the voluntary sector. The team works with adults 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. We work with adults to support independence and maximise potential, and work with people with complex needs and diverse situations. Our team values focus on early intervention and prevention, and a focus on recovery to support adults to achieve individual outcomes. This includes working closely with partners and building networks and community resilience. The role will involve conducting Care Act assessments, reviews and safeguarding. The desired candidate will have knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Care Act with established experience in Adult Social Care.
About You
To apply, you should be a qualified social worker 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.
What We Offer In Return
We’ll support you to be your best…
- Training and development to empower you from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
- Flexible working options.
- Support with employee wellbeing and counselling.
- Lease Car scheme.
- Up to £8000 for relocation.
- Life assurance of three times annual salary.
- Payment of professional fees for approved professions.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Volunteering leave (up to 4 days per year).
- 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.
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.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. 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.
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.
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.
ASC Social Worker – Harlow North and South Integrated Neighbourhood Team in Essex employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and empowering work environment for Social Workers in Harlow. With a strong focus on professional development through the Essex Social Care Academy, flexible working options, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we ensure that our staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable adults. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that values integrity, community resilience, and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ASC Social Worker – Harlow North and South Integrated Neighbourhood Team in Essex
✨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 ASC Social Worker – Harlow North and South Integrated Neighbourhood Team in Essex
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.
