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- Tasks: Support adults in achieving independence and a fulfilling life through assessments and planning.
- Company: Essex County Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- 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.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities and a commitment to inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 34802 - 37185 £ per year.
Interviews will be held in person at County Hall on 16th February 2026. This advert is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). The starting salary for an NQSW is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.
We are 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 are determined that with the right support, everyone can maintain or achieve some independence and we are 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.
About the Teams: Mid Essex is at the centre of our county covering the Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon and surrounding areas. It is a diverse locality to work in, bordering all other areas of the county and you will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across Essex County Council. This is also one of our most connected areas of the county, with excellent travel links including direct trains to London.
We currently have several Social Worker opportunities across different teams within Mid Essex, this currently includes opportunities in the following teams:
- Physical & Sensory Impairments Team
- Older Adults Mental Health Team
- Neighbourhood Teams
Team preference can be discussed at interview. Please note that we are currently unable to consider NQSWs for our Physical & Sensory Impairments team. Our teams are proud to offer hybrid working, with an expectation to be office based at our office in Chelmsford around 2 to 3 days per week depending on business need for collaborative team working and training.
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 are also a Social Worker and registered with Social Work England with that winning combination of creative thought, reliability and practical ability to get things done, we would really love to hear from you!
You will 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 will 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 organisation.
What We Offer: We will 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
- 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. Apply now.
For more information contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk. Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are 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 are also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
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.
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.
Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex (Various Teams) in Chelmsford 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 - Mid Essex (Various Teams) in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the teams you're interested in! Research the Physical & Sensory Impairments Team or the Older Adults Mental Health Team. Understanding their specific needs and challenges will help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Set up mock interviews with friends or colleagues. This will help you get comfortable discussing your experiences and how they align with the role of a Social Worker at Essex County Council.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for social work! During the interview, share stories that highlight your commitment to helping others. This is your chance to demonstrate how you embody the values of Essex County Council.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex (Various Teams) in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of an Adults Social Worker. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our vision of supporting citizens in Essex.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills, like relationship building and person-centred care, can make a difference in our teams. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for genuine individuals who are passionate about social work. Share your story and what drives you to make a positive impact in people’s lives.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s straightforward and ensures your application reaches us quickly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Care Act requirements and understand how they apply to adult social care. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the teams you're applying for, like the Physical & Sensory Impairments Team or the Older Adults Mental Health Team. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you genuinely understand the challenges and responsibilities involved.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Social Worker, your ability to connect with people is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships with clients, families, and partner agencies in the past. Think about times when you’ve successfully navigated difficult conversations or facilitated meetings. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and your commitment to person-centred care.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked scenario-based questions during the interview. These might involve assessing a client's needs or planning support. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, which will help you convey your problem-solving abilities effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about team dynamics, ongoing professional development opportunities, or how the council supports its Social Workers in maintaining a work-life balance. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
