At a Glance
- Tasks: Help find loving families for children needing adoption and support them through the process.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority focused on innovation and community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive environment, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: This role requires travel across Essex, so a driving licence is essential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a collaborative and inclusive team.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 29800 - 42000 € per year.
Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption Mid Essex
Permanent, Full Time
£34,902 to £50,081 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Community-based worker
Please note this role is based in County Hall, Chelmsford however will require travel countywide to meet business needs.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? An exciting opportunity awaits you in our dynamic Children and Families service, where we foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion.
Join Our Adoption Team:
Picture yourself as part of a dedicated team based in Chelmsford, coordinating, undertaking, and supporting family finding for children who have a plan of adoption. We are on a mission to identify the perfect adoptive placement for children seeking a brighter future. Our reach extends county-wide, working seamlessly with neighbouring quadrant teams and our partners in Adopt East for a comprehensive and impactful approach.
What You\'ll Do:
- Identify families for children needing an adoptive family.
- Provide and deliver comprehensive plans for direct work with children to prepare them for a move to an adoptive placement.
- Work closely with birth families to provide support and guidance in relation to adoption.
- Attend adoption craft and profiling events, some of which will happen at weekends, to support with family finding for children.
- Work closely with our partners within the Adopt East Alliance.
- Engage directly with young children, facilitating a deep understanding of their care plans.
- Prepare children for adoption placements through personalised direct work.
- Develop adoption support plans that empower families and build resilience.
- Navigate the statutory legal framework, ensuring timely intervention when needed.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and the voluntary sector to provide comprehensive support.
- Conduct assessments and plan responses to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
- Champion a child-centred approach, emphasising early intervention and prevention.
- Influence inter-agency planning and decision-making to proactively shape positive outcomes.
- Communicate assessments and professional judgments clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Work with families, communities, and individuals to support strategic aims and promote well-being.
- Manage individual and shared targets within the performance management framework.
Your Experience:
- A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Continued professional development aligned with relevant competency frameworks.
- Experience in challenging social and family situations within a social work setting.
- Strong communication skills with adults and children, building rapport with diverse groups.
- Direct work experience with children, showcasing your ability to connect on a personal level.
- Proven ability to manage competing demands, meeting required deadlines.
- Establishing strong relationships with partners, agencies, and the local community.
- Understanding the value-for-money delivery of interventions balanced against need.
- Clear decision-making skills to highlight and mitigate potential risks associated with intervention.
If you\'re ready to contribute to creating a brighter future for children and families, apply now! Join us in a rewarding journey where your skills and passion will make a lasting impact.
To read more about us please visit: Children & Families
Please take a look at our \'No Magic\' Children & Families video
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.
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.
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. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
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 resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.
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Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption Mid Essex in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Social Workers in the Family Finding, Adoption team. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working options, and a focus on innovation, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across Essex. The council's dedication to equality, diversity, and safeguarding ensures that all staff feel valued and included, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption Mid Essex in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Adoption and Family Finding processes in Essex. Understanding local policies and frameworks will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're committed to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current social workers or professionals in the field. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and the team dynamics, which you can reference in your discussions with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your experience where you've successfully navigated challenging family situations. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to connect with children and families.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your understanding of the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders. Be ready to share how you've worked with different agencies or partners to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption Mid Essex in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Social Worker position. Understand the responsibilities and required qualifications, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience:In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in social work, particularly in family finding and adoption. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging situations and supported families, as this aligns with the role's requirements.
Showcase Communication Skills:Given the importance of communication in this role, ensure that your application reflects your strong communication skills. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of how you've effectively communicated with children and families in previous roles.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Craft a personalised cover letter that addresses the specific needs of the Adoption Team at Essex County Council. Mention your understanding of their commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in social work, particularly in family situations. Highlight specific cases where you successfully navigated challenges and made a positive impact on children's lives.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to provide examples of how you've built rapport with both children and adults in challenging situations.
✨Understand the Legal Framework
Familiarise yourself with the statutory legal framework surrounding adoption and child welfare. Be prepared to discuss how you would navigate these regulations to ensure timely interventions.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This role involves working closely with various partners and stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in the past to achieve common goals, especially in a community-based setting.
