Fostering Assessment and Recruitment Social Worker in Basildon

Permanent, Full Time

£38,487 to £51,834 per annum

Location: Countywide

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 16th August 2026

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

This is a great countywide opportunity to work with potential new foster carers across Essex. The role entails completing initial home visits, undertaking assessments, delivering training, and facilitating recruitment events.

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

Social workers manage a defined caseload, including assessment of risk and purposeful intervention through direct relationship-based work and review. Delivering excellent practice and value for money services.

A registered social worker, educated to degree level, with ability to demonstrate practice in accordance with current professional standards. Experienced in developing strong working relationships with partners, other agencies, and stakeholders to deliver improved outcomes.

This team is countywide and the role entails undertaking initial home visits, assessing prospective foster carers, and working with their birth children, with opportunities to provide training. Participating in and facilitating face to face recruitment events and covering duty when required. This includes some evening and weekends.

Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached. Work collaboratively, building effective relationships with internal and external partnerships and stakeholders and the voluntary sector, to assist children and their families and carers in gaining support. Develop a child centred approach which enables early intervention and prevention and increases independence. Pro-actively influences in a range of inter-agency planning, decision making and case discussions. Communicate assessments and professional judgements clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing. Work with families, communities, and individuals to help people get the best start in life and age well, supporting strategic aims. Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England as a registered social worker. Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements. Experience within a social work setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations. Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals. Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies, and the local community, to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and families. Understand delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need. Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

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.

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.