Senior Social Worker - Countywide Enhanced Support Inreach in Chelmsford

Permanent, Part Time (18.5 hours)

£48,205 to £57,988 per annum (FTE)

Location: Countywide across Essex

Working Style: Community-based worker

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

This is a part time opportunity for 18.5 hours per week, with flexibility on working pattern. The pro rata’d salary range is £24,102.50 to £28,994 per annum.

The Countywide Enhanced Support Inreach Team is a multidisciplinary team that works with adults and young people with a complexity of needs related to their Learning Disability, Autism, Mental or Physical Health, or a combination of these. This role will have a focus on the complex care provision for this group and will involve a mix case holding alongside advising other practitioners on care and support models/options.

Working in partnership with providers, commissioning and procurement colleagues to promote least restrictive, outcome-focused and best-value approaches to care, the postholder will work across a complex care market and will need the ability to foster productive working relationships with providers, have a good understanding of staffing models and the ability to balance positive risk-taking with complex needs.

We are looking for an experienced practitioner with the ability to work autonomously where required. To succeed in this role, you will also need a strong track record of working with this complex group along with a solid understanding of the provider market and current pressures.

About the Role

• Provide Expert Guidance: As a highly skilled Social Worker you will foster a supportive environment and model best practice, offering specialist advice, and mentoring both newly qualified and experienced colleagues.
• Assess and Support: You will manage a diverse and complex caseload, undertaking comprehensive assessments and creating person-centred care plans.
• Ensure Compliance: You will support the people we work with to live full and fulfilling lives, within the framework of our statutory Care Act requirements, relevant legislation and organisational standards.
• Manage Caseloads: We look to our Senior Social Workers to provide expert social work practice in complex situations, upholding the highest standards of professional practice.
• Collaborate: The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships across the Council and with our partners helps shape solutions that are high-quality and promote independence.
• Represent Adult Social Care: Confident in chairing multi-agency meetings, you will proactively take the lead to ensure a social care perspective is actively represented.

About You

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration AMHP, BIA or Practice Educator qualified.
• Significant Adult Social Care experience with a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance along with an understanding of staffing models.
• Proactive and passionate Social Worker who has a proven record of working complex cases in relation to adults and young people with a complexity of needs.
• Understanding of the complex care and provider market and their current pressures.
• Ability to make clear decisions and to balance positive risk-taking.
• Ability to foster productive working relationships with providers.
• Experience of mentoring both newly-qualified and experienced team members and able to confidently provide advice and guidance in complex situations.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
• An in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
• Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members, carers and other multi-agency professionals.

This role involves travelling around Essex, in areas that are often rural and not well served by public transport. Therefore, a driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means such as Access to Work - 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%. 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

• 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.

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.

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.