At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults in achieving independence and a fulfilling life through person-centred care.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in adult social care with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and generous leave.
- Other info: Join a friendly team committed to diversity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a passion for helping others and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 38487 - 51834 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time £38,487 to £51,834 per annum
Location: Harlow, Epping & Uttlesford
Working Style: Community-based worker
Register your interest here to be notified of upcoming Social Worker opportunities within Essex County Council's Adult Social Care services in West Essex. We welcome expressions of interest from Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). The starting salary for a NQSW is £36,124 per annum, rising to £38,487 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.
About Our Social Worker Roles
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.
West Essex covers Harlow, Epping and Uttlesford. West Essex is unique as it borders London boroughs, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and has close links to NHS partners in the area. This offers the opportunity for those joining us in West Essex to be involved in initiatives that run across authorities and organisations. With close proximity to bordering counties and North East London the area is ideal for those that want to commute into Essex.
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 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.
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 organization.
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.
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.
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 – West Essex (Expression of Interest) in Harlow employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible working options, a strong commitment to diversity, and a focus on maintaining independence for the citizens of Essex, our teams are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in West Essex, where you can thrive in your career while contributing to a positive and empowering environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adults Social Worker – West Essex (Expression of Interest) in Harlow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former social workers in Essex, especially those who’ve worked with the council. They can give you insider info and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get involved in local community events or workshops related to social work. It’s a great way to meet people, showcase your passion, and learn more about the needs of the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Follow Essex County Council on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Engage with their posts to show your interest and stay updated on job openings.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll be the first to know about new opportunities as they come up.
We think you need these skills to ace Adults Social Worker – West Essex (Expression of Interest) in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in people's lives. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with our vision at Essex County Council. We love seeing how you can contribute to our mission of supporting independence and choice.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand, so make sure your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the Care Act requirements and how they apply to adult social care. Brush up on your knowledge of assessments, reviews, and support planning, as these will likely come up in conversation during the interview.
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Social Worker, building relationships is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients, families, and partner agencies. Highlight your ability to listen and understand what matters to people, as this aligns with the organisation's values.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment
Express your passion for helping others achieve independence and a fulfilling life. Talk about any relevant experiences that showcase your dedication to person-centred care and how you’ve gone above and beyond to support individuals in your previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might want to ask about the team dynamics, ongoing professional development opportunities, or how they support their Social Workers in the field.
