At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through adoption, making a real difference in their lives.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to transformational change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for unpaid carers.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a commitment to ethical behaviour.
- Why this job: Be part of a dedicated team creating brighter futures for children in need.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and experience in challenging family situations.
The predicted salary is between 36124 - 51834 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
36,124 to 51,834 per annum
Location: Basildon
Working Style: Community-based worker
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 2 years.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? An exciting opportunity awaits you in our dynamic Children and Families service, where we foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion.
Join Our Adoption Team:
Picture yourself as part of a dedicated team coordinating, undertaking, and supporting family finding for children who have a plan of adoption. We are on a mission to identify the perfect adoptive placement for children seeking a brighter future. Our reach extends county-wide, working seamlessly with neighbouring quadrant teams and our partners in Adopt East for a comprehensive and impactful approach.
We are looking for Social Workers to join our Family Finding teams in Basildon, Harlow and Colchester.
What You'll Do:
- Assess complex social care needs, offering crucial support to children and families.
- Provide and deliver comprehensive plans for direct work with children to prepare them for a move to an adoptive placement.
- Work closely with birth families to provide support and guidance in relation to adoption.
- Attend adoption craft and profiling events, some of which will happen at weekends, to support with family finding for children.
- Work closely with our partners within the Adopt East Alliance.
- Engage directly with young children, facilitating a deep understanding of their care plans.
- Develop adoption support plans that empower families and build resilience.
- Navigate the statutory legal framework, ensuring timely intervention when needed.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and the voluntary sector to provide comprehensive support.
- Conduct assessments and plan responses to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
- Champion a child-centred approach, emphasising early intervention and prevention.
- Influence inter-agency planning and decision-making to proactively shape positive outcomes.
- Communicate assessments and professional judgments clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Work with families, communities, and individuals to support strategic aims and promote well-being.
- Manage individual and shared targets within the performance management framework.
Your Experience:
- A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Continued professional development aligned with relevant competency frameworks.
- Experience in challenging social and family situations within a social work setting.
- Strong communication skills with adults and children, building rapport with diverse groups.
- Direct work experience with children, showcasing your ability to connect on a personal level.
- Proven ability to manage competing demands, meeting required deadlines.
- Establishing strong relationships with partners, agencies, and the local community.
- Understanding the value-for-money delivery of interventions balanced against need.
- Clear decision-making skills to highlight and mitigate potential risks associated with intervention.
If you're ready to contribute to creating a brighter future for children and families, apply now! Join us in a rewarding journey where your skills and passion will make a lasting impact.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. 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.
Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Social Workers in the Family Finding and Adoption teams. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, you will find a rewarding career path here. Join us in a dynamic public service setting that values integrity, innovation, and community engagement, all while serving one of the largest local authorities in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption, Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to social work. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Social Worker in Family Finding and Adoption. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you feel ready to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for making a difference! During interviews, share stories that highlight your commitment to children and families. Let them see your genuine desire to support and empower those in need—this will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the amazing work we do in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption, Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through. We want to see how much you care about supporting children and families, so share your experiences that highlight this commitment.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Social Worker role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we're looking for and how you fit the bill.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your assessments and professional judgments are communicated clearly, as this is crucial in our line of work.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Social Worker in Family Finding and Adoption. Brush up on your knowledge about adoption processes, child welfare laws, and the specific needs of children and families. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in social work, especially those involving challenging family situations. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've successfully navigated complex cases, built rapport with families, and made a positive impact. This will demonstrate your capability and passion for the role.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various partners and stakeholders, be ready to talk about your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with other agencies or community organisations to achieve positive outcomes. Highlighting your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or their approach to family finding. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career goals.
