Children and Families Advisor in Colchester

Permanent, Part Time £26,284 up to £33,256 per annum (full time equivalent) Location: Colchester Working Style: Fixed-base worker. Please note that this is a Permanent, part-time role working 3 days per week (22.2hrs). Actual salary earnings based on 22.2 hours per week – £15,770 up to £19,953 per annum.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row. This vacancy can accommodate a newly qualified social worker.

The Opportunity

This is a key role that ensures the 'Single Point of Entry' is accessible by professionals, members of the public and families. Advisers will work with a team of senior staff to ensure that children and families receive a prompt and appropriate response to concerns and risks, making sure that all contact is dealt with safely and efficiently. You will respond to enquiries and Requests for Support via a range of sources including telephone calls and emails from professionals, members of the public and families. You will proactively gather information and record in line with procedures and legislation to ensure that families in Essex receive the most appropriate level of support in a timely manner through either robust information, advice and guidance or onward progression to the appropriate team.

Accountabilities

• Management team of the Children and Families Hub.
• Understand the needs of your customers and deliver the best possible outcomes through exemplar behaviour in accordance with ECC’s Values and Core Organisational Behaviours.
• Work flexibly and collaboratively across structural boundaries in support of key outcomes.
• Contribute to development of organisational capability by taking ownership of your own training and development, including identifying and taking part in training and development activity and responding to feedback on performance.
• Think creatively, challenge the norms, and constructively challenge those around them (including those more senior) to ensure continuous improvement and commercial astuteness, and inspire the same in colleagues.
• Take responsibility for identifying and actioning areas of risk including Health and Safety and Business Continuity.
• Work as part of project or process teams as required under the new operating model, ensuring excellent cross functional output.
• Take personal responsibility for providing accurate Information, advice, and guidance either via telephone or email in line with the levels of need identified within the Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex guidance.
• Work closely with other team members, seeking support and advice where required to identify risk and ensure children are safeguarded by prioritising referrals when necessary.
• Ensure that appropriate information is recorded accurately and is entered onto the appropriate system, taking advice where necessary, maintaining safe and lawful recording in accordance with the Data Protection legislation and ECC policy.
• Gather relevant information as required ensuring that the appropriate level of need is identified for families and completing records to ensure consideration for further referral onto a relevant team within the Children and Families Hub.
• Act as a link adviser to a thematic area of work or geographical area ensuring a good knowledge of local services available for the Children and Families Hub to include in the Directory of Services.
• The duties of the post may be changed and/or varied to meet changing circumstances at the discretion of the Children and Families Hub management team therefore allowing for a flexible approach to workflow and demand.

The role is based in Essex House, Colchester; however, some travelling may be required to attend training, representing the team at meetings and liaising with both internal and external partners.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• A knowledge and understanding of current national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures including the Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex guidance, the Children’s Act and Working Together Guidance.
• Good general level of education including English at GCSE grade A-C, or demonstrably equivalent abilities.
• Experience of communicating by telephone and electronically recording information promptly and in adherence with data protection legislation.

Desirable:

• Understanding of high-quality customer care and information provision and an appreciation of potential barriers and challenges for hard-to-reach groups.
• High level of inter-personal, negotiation and communication skills, engaging at appropriate levels with a variety of audiences.

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 March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority.

EEO and Disability Inclusion

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 position. 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.

Employment Details

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) your role may 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.