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- Tasks: Support vulnerable adults and their families to maximise independence.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a leader in social care with a commitment to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training, wellbeing support, and generous leave options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with at least 1 year of experience and current registration.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and involvement in cross-authority initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 34802 - 37185 ÂŁ per year.
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 Worker\’s (NQSW). The starting salary for a NQSW is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 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.
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 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.\”
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 - West Essex, Harlow employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Adults Social Worker - West Essex, Harlow
✨Tip Number 1
Network with current social workers in the West Essex area. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with professionals already working in the field. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the role and the team dynamics.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by vulnerable adults in the West Essex region. Understanding local issues will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness to tackle these challenges during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with Essex County Council's Adult Social Care services on social media. Follow their updates and participate in discussions to show your interest and enthusiasm for the role, which can make a positive impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider volunteering or shadowing opportunities within the local community. Gaining hands-on experience will not only enhance your skills but also demonstrate your dedication to supporting vulnerable adults in the area.
We think you need these skills to ace Adults Social Worker - West Essex, Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Adults Social Worker position. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of vulnerable adults and the services provided by Essex County Council.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in social work, particularly focusing on your ability to support adults with complex social needs. Include specific examples of your achievements and how they align with the role's requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for social work and your understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable adults. Mention your professional development and how it has prepared you for this role at Essex County Council.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as decision-making, risk assessment, and relationship-building with clients and partner agencies. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully applied these skills in your previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the current legislation, regulations, and guidance relevant to social work. Being able to discuss these confidently will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional standards.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your ability to support vulnerable adults. Discuss your experience in chairing meetings and collaborating with multi-agency professionals to show your teamwork skills.
✨Understand the Role
Research the specific needs of the West Essex area and the types of cases you might encounter. This knowledge will help you articulate how you can contribute to the team and the community effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the position aligns with your career goals and values.
