Community Support Worker – South Essex

Join our team in South Essex and make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and autism. In this role, you will be responsible for managing cases, carrying out Care Act Assessments, Support Plans and Reviews – working closely with the adults that we support, their families and other agencies, to support individuals in building independence and improving their skills.

ECC Adult Social Care is making a transformational shift from a focus on long‑term care support to a model with four key principles: prevention, early intervention, enablement and safeguarding. Enabling people to access information and tools to live independently and allowing a positive response to growing service demand in a sustainable way within the financial constraints of ECC.

Working with Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, delivering bespoke intervention work in accordance with the care plan to vulnerable adults. The role may be required to manage a caseload, including assessment of risk through direct work within a quality assurance process. A focus of the role will be to ensure vulnerable people are safeguarded in line with ECC's statutory obligations.

Responsibilities

• Assess social care needs and provide support to vulnerable adults to enable them to live healthily and independently.
• Contribute to the development of care and support plans that gain commitment to solutions to meet each individual's needs.
• Work collaboratively with others, including placement teams, to support the individual to commission care and support from appropriate providers and develop their own employees through direct payments.
• Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached in line with legislative and organisational standards within the Care Act 2015.
• Responsible for highlighting issues and implementing plans to safeguard a vulnerable adult.
• Build strong, effective relationships with clients, families and carers providing practical advice, support and, where necessary, acting as an advocate.
• Work collaboratively across the service, with internal and external professional partner agencies to deliver joint objectives and ensure improved outcomes for vulnerable adults.
• Provide information and advice in relation to involvement/accessing third‑party agencies relevant to the client's needs (e.g., benefits agencies, immigration, and housing).
• Attend meetings, reviews, case conferences and court hearings to provide information, insight and evidence; providing reports where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience of working with vulnerable adults, or education to Level 3 (RQF) is required.
• You will be passionate about engaging with and providing support in the community, working with partners as required.
• Experience within a social care setting, an NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent is desirable.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in the relevant professional area.
• Experience of building strong, effective relationships with adults, their families and carers in times of challenge and crisis.
• Experience of undertaking direct, activity‑based work with adults.
• Knowledge of legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
• Proven track record of building working relationships with partners and external agencies.
• A certificate in First Aid and/or knowledge of Sign Language is desirable in this role.

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 are 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.

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. A driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

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.