At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable adults to live independently through assessment and intervention.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in Adult Social Care services.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and contribute to innovative social care solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with 3 years of experience, including 2 in Adult Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Temporary (3 months), Full Time
Pay: £225 PAYE / £288 Umbrella
Location: Colchester
Working Style:
Closing Date: 27th February
The Team
We are looking for passionate Social Workers to join our Neighbourhood teams in North Essex - Colchester. The teams form part of a Neighbourhood approach linking closely with our partners in health, housing and the voluntary sector. The team works with adults aged 18 and above across all specialisms, undertaking a wide range of duties under the Care Act from assessment, reviews, mental capacity assessments and adult safeguarding. Working within North Essex offers many opportunities for collaboration and networking with partner agencies. The team's make-up includes Social Workers, Occupational Social Workers and Community support workers. This offers a diverse perspective on how we support local residents, enabling them to live independent lives. We offer the opportunity to explore current Assistive Technology and equipment as part of sustainable solutions in empowering and enabling better outcomes for local residents who require our services. This role offers hybrid working, with an expectation to be office-based at Rowan House in Colchester around 2 to 3 days per week depending on business need for collaborative team working and training.
About the Role
Working to support adults and their families who have complex social needs and are more vulnerable as a result of disability, exclusion, or diminished capacity, you'll maximise their potential to live independently. You will manage a caseload, including assessment of risk and purposeful intervention through direct work, commissioned services and review. With case work focusing on the most complex and challenging adult cases, you'll ensure that adults and their families are safeguarded. You'll share ideas and best practice, providing specialist advice as part of a multi-disciplinary team sharing your knowledge as a Social Worker. This is a dynamic role promoting innovative person-centred and partnership working with adults, their informal carers and in collaboration with other statutory and non-statutory services to support and promote their mental health, well-being and outcomes.
About You
To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and 3 years post-qualifying experience (including a minimum of 2 within ASC). You'll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. As a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations, and guidance. With 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 vulnerable adults. 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 and beyond. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.
Why Join Us?
With us, you can achieve more – for yourself as well as the vulnerable adults you work to support. We're always looking for new ways to deliver even better services; Social Workers play an integral role in our preventative approach to Social Care. We encourage our multi-disciplinary teams to share their ideas and experience. We work together to get things done. Bring your positive, proactive attitude, and we'll empower you to make the most of your experience within Essex County Council (ECC) Adult Social Care services.
In June, 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."
You can read the full report on the CQC website.
In February, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May. You can read more about this on our careers site.
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.
Locum Asc Social Worker in Colchester employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Social Workers in Colchester. With a strong focus on professional development, innovative practices, and a commitment to empowering vulnerable adults, employees can thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the community. The hybrid working model and the opportunity to engage with diverse multi-disciplinary teams further enhance the rewarding experience of working within Adult Social Care services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Locum Asc Social Worker in Colchester
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Essex County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Essex County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Essex County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Essex County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Locum Asc Social Worker in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Essex County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
