At a Glance
- Tasks: Support foster carer recruitment and conduct assessments to transform children's lives.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in social work and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for unpaid carers.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to fostering diverse families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
Permanent, Full Time £38,487 to £51,834 per annum
Closing Date: 12th July 2026
Interview Date: 20th July 2026
Location: Basildon, GB
The Role
As a social worker in this countywide team, the role covers all aspects of foster carer recruitment. It primarily involves responding to initial enquiries from prospective foster carers, undertaking initial home visits, and conducting fostering assessments through to panel. There are opportunities to deliver pre-approval training and creative recruitment activity including face-to-face information events with the public. At certain times the role may include supporting Special Guardianship Orders and Kinship assessments. Due to the nature of the role, evening and weekend work is required as well as occasional duty work. The team is therefore flexible to reflect the needs of service users and team members. We are fortunate to have a very passionate, driven, creative team consisting of social workers, enquiry workers, and an outreach worker. We work closely with our fostering ambassadors and children in care to recruit diverse foster families to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children in Essex.
What you will need to join our Social Work teams
You may be an experienced Social Worker looking to take the next step in your career or you may be a Senior Practitioner open to change and ready to innovate in an environment where you can stretch yourself professionally and make an impact individually. To play a key part in transforming the lives of children and families, you’ll be a DIPSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent graduate. You will inspire high standards from Social Workers around you, and shape practice standards within the service, delivering positive outcomes collaboratively. You will be a team player enabling your team to work well together under pressure.
For this role you will need to have:
- Excellent assessment and analytical report writing skills for understanding and dealing with complex cases.
- To respond to all duty calls and initial home visits in an efficient and professional manner and record clearly and in detail.
- To present your applicants to the fostering panel with clear recommendation and evidence to support this recommendation.
- Support and participate in recruitment activities.
- Be involved in the development of a Service area that relates to Recruitment of foster carers or to link with one of the Quadrant Fostering Teams to establish up-to-date needs and developments relevant to that quadrant.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- A recognised social work qualification: Diploma, degree or master’s in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England as a registered social worker.
- Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards: Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS), case recording.
- Demonstrate ability in the application of SW knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills, and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.
- A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems, e.g., Word, SW case recording systems.
- Required to be mobile throughout a wide 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 ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
- Required to work flexibly as required, including evenings and weekends if necessary.
Employment Benefits
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.
EEO 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. 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. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We ask that you embrace our code of conduct, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Assessing Social Worker – Fostering Recruitment, Countywide in Basildon employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development, staff are encouraged to grow within their roles, all while contributing to a vital service in the heart of Chelmsford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assessing Social Worker – Fostering Recruitment, Countywide in Basildon
✨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.
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.
