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- Tasks: Lead and support social work teams to improve children's lives through assessments and interventions.
- Company: Essex County Council is a dynamic local authority committed to transformational change and community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a nine-day fortnight, and support for unpaid carers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families while working in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration.
- Other info: Driving licence required; commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 48000 £ per year.
Senior Practitioner – Assessment & Intervention, North Essex
Permanent, Full Time
£46,574 to £56,027 per annum
Location: Clacton on Sea
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 5th August 2025
Essex County Council understand how important flexibility and wellbeing is for our colleagues working across children\’s Social Care and that we need to think differently. We have therefore developed a nine-day working fortnight for full time frontline Social Workers within Children\’s services.
Join our Assessment & Intervention (A&I) teams, where we serve as the entry point for children, young individuals, parents, carers, and collaborating agencies seeking access to our transformative Children & Families services. In the heart of our mission lies the A&I team, dedicated to conducting initial assessments and delivering short-term interventions that make a positive difference in families\’ lives.
Your Mission: In the realm of Children and Families, we\’ve cultivated a service that fosters the growth of social work, grounded in a culture of cooperation, honesty, and empathy. Our goal? To nurture the development and well-being of children, youth, and families, shielding them from neglect and harm. Through dynamic partnerships, we provide early assistance, family support, and impactful social work interventions, eradicating obstacles, and empowering the younger generation to envision a brighter future.
As a Senior Practitioner: Your role is pivotal. Managing intricate caseloads, you\’ll serve as a beacon of expertise, offering guidance and supervision to colleagues, all in pursuit of positive change for children, youth, and families. In the absence of the Team Manager, you\’ll step into leadership, overseeing the team and duty services.
What We Expect: You\’re an experienced social work practitioner, unafraid of handling heightened levels of risk. You\’re a mentor, guiding and advising peers, a performance manager, and an agent of improvement. Your knack for cultivating sturdy relationships with partners and stakeholders is essential.
Key Responsibilities:
- Guiding Expertise: providing counsel and professional supervision, shaping the practice standards that elevate our social workers.
- Navigating Complexity: You\’ll assess complex social care needs, devising supportive structures for vulnerable individuals, children, and families.
- Legally Sound: Working within statutory guidelines, you\’ll discern when intervention becomes a necessity, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks.
- Active Participation: in case conferences, court appearances, and reviews, particularly when a social care perspective is paramount.
- Safeguarding Champion: You\’ll assess and strategize to safeguard and advance a child\’s welfare, customising interventions based on their needs.
- Unifying Forces: Your rapport with colleagues, partners, and voluntary agencies will unite efforts for an optimal start in life.
- Performance Excellence: You\’ll set and meet individual and collective targets, consistent within our performance management framework.
What You Bring:
- Qualification: A recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration, you\’re equipped to make a significant impact.
- Lifelong Learning: Your commitment to ongoing professional development aligns with competency frameworks, demonstrating your dedication.
- Seasoned Experience: Your social work journey highlights a deep grasp of legislation, regulations, and guidance, giving you a nuanced perspective.
- Mentorship Prodigy: As an adept mentor, you\’ve guided students and seasoned practitioners, showcasing your expertise in social work practice.
- Unified Collaborator: Your talent for forging partnerships, engaging agencies, and communities amplifies our collective impact on children, youth, and families.
- Decisive Navigator: You\’ve proven your prowess in discerning potential risks and making clear decisions, steering interventions with finesse.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families
Please take a look at our \’No Magic\’ Children & Families video
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.
In February 2025, 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 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) 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.
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, 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.
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
Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .
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Senior Practitioner - Assessment & Intervention, Clacton-On-Sea employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Assessment & Intervention, Clacton-On-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by children and families in Essex. Understanding local issues will help you demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Essex County Council, especially those in social work roles. They can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex case management and risk assessment. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your decision-making skills and ability to navigate challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your mentorship abilities by preparing examples of how you've supported colleagues or students in their professional development. This is crucial for a Senior Practitioner role where guidance is key.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner - Assessment & Intervention, Clacton-On-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in assessment and intervention. Emphasise your qualifications, skills in managing complex cases, and any mentoring roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for working with children and families. Discuss your approach to safeguarding and how you’ve successfully navigated complex situations in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage caseloads, mentor colleagues, and engage with various stakeholders effectively.
Showcase Your Commitment to Professional Development: Mention any ongoing training or professional development activities you’ve undertaken. This shows your dedication to lifelong learning and staying updated with the latest practices in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous social work experience in detail. Highlight specific cases where you managed complex situations, demonstrating your ability to navigate challenges and make sound decisions.
✨Emphasise Mentorship Skills
As a Senior Practitioner, mentoring is key. Share examples of how you've guided colleagues or students, focusing on the impact of your mentorship on their development and the overall team performance.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Legislation
Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and statutory guidelines. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your practice and how this knowledge informs your decision-making process.
✨Highlight Collaborative Efforts
Discuss your experience in building partnerships with other agencies and stakeholders. Provide examples of successful collaborations that led to positive outcomes for children and families, showcasing your ability to unify efforts.
