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- Tasks: Support adults and young people with complex needs in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in social care.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in complex cases and current registration.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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).
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.
Responsibilities
- 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 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
- 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.
Senior Social Worker - Enhanced Support Countywide Inreach in Colchester employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Enhanced Support Countywide Inreach in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the social work field, especially those who have worked with complex cases. They can provide insider info about the role and might even give you a heads-up on upcoming opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of The Care Act and relevant legislation. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex cases in the past and how you can contribute to the team’s goals. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaborative skills! In your conversations, highlight examples of how you've worked with multi-agency professionals and built strong relationships. This is key in social work, and we want to know how you can bring that to our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our supportive and dynamic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker - Enhanced Support Countywide Inreach in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with complex cases, especially in areas like mental health and autism. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for social work shine through! Share examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, particularly in supporting individuals with learning disabilities or mental health needs. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about their work.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Highlight your qualifications and experience without waffling – we appreciate straightforwardness!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate – we promise!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of The Care Act, the Children’s Act, and any relevant legislation. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to complex cases, especially those involving mental health, autism, and learning disabilities.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Come ready to share specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage complex caseloads and collaborate with multi-agency professionals. Highlight instances where you've successfully led meetings or contributed to case conferences.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for social work shine through! Talk about why you’re passionate about supporting individuals with complex needs and how you’ve continued your professional development in this area.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, and how the organisation supports its staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
