At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance in adult social care, ensuring compliance and driving service improvements.
- Company: Essex County Council, a Disability Confident Leader committed to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in audits and quality assurance.
The predicted salary is between 56027 - 56027 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
£46,574 to £56,027 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in‑person collaboration at our Chelmsford office, typically around 2 to 3 days per week dependent on business need.
We have an exciting opportunity for an adaptable, motivational and innovative qualified Social Worker who has a passion for delivering excellence to join our Quality Assurance Team.
Key Responsibilities- Work within the statutory legal framework and organisational policy, ensuring full compliance with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983, and subsequent amendments, including Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Continuing Healthcare.
- Provide authoritative advice on legislation, policy, and best practice guidance.
- Demonstrate expert practice, offering professional advice and support to colleagues through assisted fieldwork, audits, reflective practice and case reviews, contributing to continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Contribute to Adult Social Care research and development, participating in projects that inform service planning, innovation, and the creation of effective practice responses and support networks.
- Lead and undertake audits, investigations and quality reviews, translating findings into actionable improvements to drive consistency, quality and accountability across operational teams.
- Support service improvement activity, acting on inspection outcomes, audit findings and evaluation evidence to implement changes that lead to better outcomes for the people of Essex.
- Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners and multi‑agency networks, taking a lead role in developing integrated approaches to practice.
- Develop, implement and oversee quality assurance and evaluation systems, ensuring that reviews of policy and practice remain aligned with current legislation, national developments and local priorities.
- Qualified Social Worker, with Social Work England (SWE) registration.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. professional capability framework, knowledge and skills statement.
- Substantial experience with the ability to carry out reviews, investigations and audits, communicating recommendations into programmes of work and ensuring these are implemented in practice.
- Deep understanding of delivery of high‑quality practice aligned to achievement of high‑quality outcomes, as measured through the application of the ASC Quality Assurance Framework.
- Experience within a social care setting with evidence of demonstrating exemplar standards of practice.
- Developing strong influential relationships with partners and other agencies to maintain and develop best practice and achieve joint objectives.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Equal Opportunities: 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.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Adult Social Care Practice Lead – Quality Assurance Team in Chelmsford employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for the Adult Social Care Practice Lead role. With a commitment to professional development and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the community. The hybrid working model allows for a balanced approach to work-life integration, ensuring that team members can contribute effectively both from home and in the Chelmsford office.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Adult Social Care Practice Lead – Quality Assurance Team in Chelmsford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kirklees Metropolitan Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kirklees Metropolitan Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Adult Social Care Practice Lead – Quality Assurance Team in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
