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- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and empower families in a rewarding social work role.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a leading local authority committed to community transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 29800 - 42000 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
£34,902 to £50,081 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Closing Date: 18th February 2026
This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Experienced Social Workers. The starting salary for a NQSW is £34,902 per annum and this will rise to £37,185 per annum on successful completion of the ASYE programme.
Unlocking Opportunities for You: Join Our Social Care Team! At Essex County Council, we value our colleagues' well-being and recognise the importance of flexibility in the demanding field of children's Social Care. That's why we're excited to introduce an innovative approach to work-life balance: the nine-day working fortnight, designed specifically for full-time frontline Social Workers within Children's services.
A Glimpse into Our World: Children with Disabilities (CWD) is part of the Children and Young People with Disabilities (CYPWD) service in Mid Essex. We work with children 0-16 with disabilities. We are a strong team with committed workers who continually strive to support the children we work with. Our Children and Young People with Disabilities Service is on a mission to empower children and young adults up to 25 years old who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, along with their families. The service operates from offices strategically located in Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester, and Harlow, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all. Within these offices, our dedicated teams collaborate seamlessly to provide an integrated and holistic service.
- 0 - 15 Social Care: Caring for the youngest members of our community.
- 16 - 25 Social Care: Supporting the transition into adulthood.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Enhancing lives through tailored therapies.
- Preparing for Adulthood (PFA's): Guiding our youth on the path to independence.
Our high-needs further education team is on a mission to break down barriers. They process applications for additional funding, making sure learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have the opportunity to access Post-16 college provision.
Your Journey Begins Here: What We're Looking For
- Qualifications: A diploma or degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS, or an equivalent qualification.
- Certification: Registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
- Professional Standards: A demonstrable capability to practice in line with current professional standards, such as the Professional Capability Framework (PCF) and Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
- Documentation: Proficiency in case recording.
- Social Work Skills: The ability to apply social work knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills, and confidence in challenging social and family situations.
- Tech-Savvy: A strong working knowledge of information technology and related systems, including Word and SW case recording systems.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when necessary to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
Ready to make a meaningful difference? Join us at Essex County Council, where we're transforming lives and creating a brighter future for our community. Your journey starts here!
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. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
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're 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.
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.
Once you've 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.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
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.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email.
Further details can be found on our careers page.
Social Worker - Children with Disabilities, West Essex, Harlow employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children with Disabilities, West Essex, Harlow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Essex County Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common social work scenarios. Think about how you'd handle challenging situations with children and families. We want to see your emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your tech skills! Familiarise yourself with the software and systems used in social work. Being tech-savvy is a big plus, so don’t hesitate to mention any relevant experience during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Essex County Council. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Children with Disabilities, West Essex, Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Social Worker in Children with Disabilities. We want to see your passion for supporting children and families shine through!
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your qualifications and registration with Social Work England. We’re looking for evidence that you meet the professional standards, so be clear about your credentials and any relevant training you've completed.
Be Authentic: Let your personality come through in your written application. We value integrity and ethical behaviour, so share your genuine motivations for wanting to work with us and how you can contribute to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of a Social Worker in Children with Disabilities. Brush up on relevant legislation, frameworks, and best practices. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your social work skills, especially in challenging situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your emotional intelligence and analytical abilities.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges faced by the service, or the innovative approaches they’re implementing. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your experiences and motivations for wanting to work in this field. The panel will appreciate your sincerity and it will help them see how you might fit into their team culture.
