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- Tasks: Support older adults with mental health needs to live fulfilling lives and maintain independence.
- 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 and a passion for helping others.
- Other info: Join a friendly team dedicated to supporting the community and promoting independence.
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.
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 think 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%. 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 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: We will support you to be your best and will 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. Apply now. For more information contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk
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.
Once you have 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.
Adults Social Worker - Older Adults Mental Health in Essex 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 Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who are already working in mental health. They might have insider info on job openings or can even refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mental health and social work. Think about real-life scenarios where you've made a difference, as these stories will showcase your skills and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications after a week or so. A quick email expressing your continued interest can keep you on their radar and show that you're genuinely keen on the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job postings and resources. We’re always updating our listings, and applying through us gives you a better chance of landing that dream job in social work!
We think you need these skills to ace Adults Social Worker - Older Adults Mental Health in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work and helping others shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of older adults with mental health needs.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in mental health and working with older adults. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and understanding of the role, so don’t hold back!
Be Person-Centred: Remember, our approach is all about the individual. Use your application to show how you prioritise person-centred care and how you’ve successfully supported people in achieving their goals in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
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 relate to assessments, reviews, and support planning. Familiarise yourself with the specific mental health challenges faced by older adults, as this will show your commitment and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Social Worker, building relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with clients and their families in the past. Think about times when you’ve had to listen actively and respond empathetically to their needs.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations related to safeguarding or supporting someone with dementia. Practise your responses to these types of questions, focusing on your thought process and the person-centred approach you would take.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how they measure success in supporting clients. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
