people achieve the best possible outcomes. As a Senior Practitioner in our Children in Care Team, you'll play a key role in supporting children in foster care and residential placements, helping them achieve stability, permanency and positive futures.
What You'll Be Doing
- Managing a complex caseload of children in care.
- Supporting and mentoring social workers within the team.
- Representing Essex County Council in court proceedings.
- Developing permanency plans, including reunification, Special Guardianship Orders and adoption.
- Undertaking life-story work and supporting children through their care journey.
- Chairing meetings and deputising for the Team Manager when required.
You'll be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with:
- Significant experience within Children's Services, particularly Children in Care.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and relevant legislation.
- Court experience and confidence managing complex cases.
- A passion for relationship-based practice and achieving positive outcomes for children.
- The ability to support, coach and develop colleagues.
Why Essex?
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 are dedicated to making a positive difference for residents, communities and businesses across the county. 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.
In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our
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.
- support for unpaid carers
- flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs
Nolan principles
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.
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.
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.
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Senior Practitioner - Children in Care - North Essex in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
