Senior Social Worker - Enhanced Support Countywide Inreach, Chelmsford

This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity to 31st March 2027.

About the Team

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our Countywide Enhanced Support Inreach Team. The team works alongside adults and young people with a complexity of needs related to their Learning Disability, Autism, Mental or Physical Health or a combination of these. In this role, your focus will be on people aged 16 and over, either in hospital, detained under the Mental Health Act or on the dynamic support register (i.e. at risk of that detention or hospital admission to an assessment and treatment unit).

This role requires your skills in assessment, using the relevant legal frameworks, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation and will utilise your skills in carrying out detailed assessment of need, working closely with the person, their families, health and other relevant partners to ensure the person is supported to transition smoothly from hospital to a suitable care and support arrangement in the community. This role will work closely with health partners in both inpatient and community settings to prevent admission or placement breakdown, or to follow a defined discharge pathway.

We are looking for someone with a real interest in relationship-based work, with a focus on building independence through a positive approach to risk and the strengths-based model. It is a great opportunity for either an experienced social worker looking for career progression or an existing Senior Social Worker wishing to broaden their experience outside of the quadrant-based work.

About the role

Managing your own complex caseload, as well as supporting colleagues with theirs, you'll be a source of specialist advice around working with people with a significant complexity of need, including mental health, autism and learning disability, to enable the mitigation of high levels of risk. You'll also bring your professional expertise to contribute to the development of practice standards and our four key principles of prevention, early intervention, enablement and safeguarding.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Working collaboratively across the Council, with partners and statutory and voluntary agencies, including education, to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Care Act assessment with associated care and support planning.
• Compiling information for Mental Health Act tribunals, including preparation of Social Circumstances Reports.
• Working with colleagues in Education and health around the Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP).
• Taking part in a range of case conferences, court attendance, meetings, and statutory reviews, pro-actively taking the lead when a social care perspective is required. This will include s117 aftercare planning and presentation to relevant forums, i.e., S117 panel and Adult Social Care forums.
• Developing a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice, and leading on those areas.

About You

To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and will be AMHP, BIA or PE qualified. You will be post-qualified at least 2 years with an in-depth knowledge of complex cases and The Care Act. A sound knowledge of the Children's Act would also be beneficial.

There would be an expectation of a significant knowledge base around autism or neurodiversity, though there is scope for additional focused training for the right applicant.

We require a proactive and passionate worker who has a proven record of working complex cases. You'll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations with the ability to mentor both newly-qualified and experienced team members.

As a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance. You'll have experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members, carers and other multi-agency professionals, we're looking for your ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for the people we work with.

You’ll also bring:

• 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.
• The ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.

This role involves 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'll 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).