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- Tasks: Support older adults with mental health needs to live fulfilling lives.
- Company: Essex County Council, a supportive and inclusive adult social care service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and generous leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with experience in Mental Health.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to promoting independence and wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 34902 - 37185 £ per year.
This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) with relevant experience in Mental Health. The starting salary for NQSWs is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.
Our Mission
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 believe 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 Team
We are a committed team working with adults aged 65 years plus and their carers diagnosed with a functional or organic mental illness such as dementia, both in the community and developing discharge pathways from inpatient wards. Our team works closely with mental health inpatient wards, Severe Dementia and Frailty Services and Social Care neighbourhood teams, managing the complexities of ongoing support and reablement for people who live with mental health needs. You will have the chance to support adults from the very start of their journey, to reviewing their goals and ambitions further into their social care journey ensuring that their assessed goals and outcomes continue to promote independence and opportunities. This role will cover both Colchester and Tendring with a mixture of home, office located at Rowan House in Colchester, and community-based working. Candidates must be located within a reasonable commuting distance from these locations as there may be a requirement to undertake emergency visits.
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 registered with Social Work England with experience in Mental Health, along 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%. 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 is second to none. We welcome diversity because it makes us grow and we are 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 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.
Adults Social Worker - Older Adults Mental Health in Colchester 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 - Older Adults Mental Health in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former social workers in the field, especially those who work with older adults and mental health. They can provide insider info on the role and might even give you a heads-up about job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Care Act and person-centred approaches. Be ready to discuss how you would handle real-life scenarios, as this will show your understanding of the role and your commitment to supporting individuals.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on Essex County Council! They’re committed to professional development and have a great reputation. Tailor your application to highlight how your values align with their mission to support independence and well-being.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar and demonstrates your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Adults Social Worker - Older Adults Mental Health in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! Share why you’re excited about working with older adults and how you can make a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in mental health. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in assessments, support planning, and working with families to show us you’re the right fit.
Be Person-Centred: Remember, we value a person-centred approach. In your application, emphasise how you listen to individuals and work collaboratively to help them achieve their goals. This is key to our mission!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application 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 brush up on the Care Act requirements and understand how they apply to adult social care. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by older adults with mental health issues, as this will show your commitment and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
This role is all about building relationships, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients and their families in the past. Highlight your ability to listen, empathise, and work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios you might face in the role. Think through potential situations involving assessments, reviews, or safeguarding, and prepare your responses to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and person-centred approach.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing professional development opportunities, or how the organisation supports its staff in managing workloads. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company culture.
