At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their mental health recovery through assessments and tailored support planning.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a reputable organisation committed to community wellbeing and independence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Driving licence required; this role offers a pathway for newly qualified social workers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive, diverse team.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Social Worker with experience in mental health and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
This position is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Worker’s (NQSW). The starting salary for NQSW\'s is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.
The Team
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Recovery Wellbeing Community Mental Health Team within our Partnership organisation under the S75 Partnership agreement.
You will work at the forefront of our community mental health treatment teams providing EPUT’s secondary mental health services and will play a key part in providing social care service and exemplar social work practice, ensuring that excellence of service is provided across the department.
The team consists of multiple disciplines, including existing social workers, nursing, psychology, OT and psychiatry, along with other associated professionals. All of this will provide you the opportunity to gain invaluable experience to further enhance your career.
The team is established and cohesive and able to provide an environment that can nurture Social Workers undertaking their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
The Role
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.
Take a look at our short video here to get a glimpse into the role and what it’s like to be a Social Worker at Essex County Council.
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 who has completed their ASYE, with that winning combination of creative thought, reliability and practical ability to get things done, we’d really love to hear from you!
The post requires an individual with a high degree of flexibility and creativity and a positive, forward-thinking attitude with experience of working within a MDT and Mental Health. You need to have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, be proactive in your approach to tasks and comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
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.”
You can read the full report on the CQC website here .
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
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. View Key Facts and FAQ’s about the LGPS.
- 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.
*T&Cs Apply.
Apply now.
For more information contact
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) ) on our careers site
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. For further information on the DBS update service please go to .
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.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .
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Adults Social Worker - Community Mental Health Recovery & Wellbeing in Brentwood employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment within the vibrant community of Brentwood. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working options, and a focus on employee wellbeing, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values diversity and fosters growth, ensuring you have the resources and support needed to excel in your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adults Social Worker - Community Mental Health Recovery & Wellbeing in Brentwood
✨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 Council.
✨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 Council!
✨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 Council, 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 Council 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 Adults Social Worker - Community Mental Health Recovery & Wellbeing in Brentwood
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 Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County Council! 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 Council
✨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.
