Senior Practitioner – Emergency Duty Service in Chelmsford

Permanent, Full Time £48,205 to £57,988 per annum

Location: Countywide / Chelmsford, Essex

Working Style: Community‑based worker

The Emergency Duty Service provides support outside of normal office hours, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Our team consists of experienced Managers and Practitioners who are qualified across all areas of social work and are Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), enabling us to respond to urgent requests for assessments under the Mental Health Act.

Working on a 7‑day rota, you will respond to emergency situations across Essex and deliver services to Southend Borough Council. A small daytime support team ensures smooth handovers to day services and maintains strong links with partner agencies. The role is based in Chelmsford with travel required across the county; flexibility is essential as you will work on a 6‑week rolling rota that includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays and key periods such as Christmas and New Year. This role will require working 4 weekends out of 6. There is an additional 15% flat rate allowance based on the basic salary and a £2,400 AMHP payment with this role. The organisation is willing to consider job‑share options with suitable candidates.

Qualifications and Experience

• Social Work Degree or equivalent and Social Work England registration as a qualified Social Worker.
• Approved Mental Health Professional under the 1983 Mental Health Act (as amended).
• Experience of direct work with children and families and preferably experience of child protection investigation work.
• Experience and knowledge of work with vulnerable adults.
• Experience of working in a Duty Team.
• Ability to work under pressure and to organise practice workload effectively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in a style appropriate to the context.
• Ability to empower children and their carers to enable their full participation in work undertaken.
• Knowledge of current Community Care practice and multi‑agency systems of Assessment and Care Management for Older People and vulnerable adults.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant policy and recent research findings across all client specialisms.
• A commitment to anti‑oppressive behaviour, practice and management.
• Willingness and ability to work in an open manner as part of a team, with a commitment to sharing and working alongside staff in your own and other organisations while recognising your own management responsibilities.
• Ability to approach your work in a culture of flexibility.

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. A driving licence and car or alternative means of mobility are essential.

Benefits and Working Conditions

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.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job under the Job Interview Scheme. The Council is also committed to interviewing all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. We value integrity and ethical behaviour, and ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles throughout the recruitment process. Applicants who require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process should speak to our recruiters. For any DBS check requirements you will be required to register and maintain a DBS update service.