Family Solutions Social Worker - Complex Cases, Colchester

We have an exciting opportunity to join our high‑performing Family Solutions team based in Colchester, North Essex. This service has been described by Ofsted as “exceptional” and delivers early help to families facing multiple and complex challenges. Family Solutions is part of Essex’s Children & Families service, working holistically with disadvantaged families to help them make meaningful and lasting changes. You’ll be part of a supportive, multi‑disciplinary team that values collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Act as a source of advice and support for colleagues, including joint visits and working on complex cases (e.g., concerns around neglect).
• Support the team in building positive and constructive relationships with statutory children’s services.
• Manage your own caseload and assess safeguarding risks.
• Work with the team manager and practice supervisor to review referrals and support threshold decisions.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with families to promote positive change.
• Provide practical and specialist advice.
• Facilitate complex family meetings and coordinate additional support services.
• Offer emotional and practical support in homes and community settings.
• Work closely with your manager or senior social worker through regular supervision.
• Support further integration of Family Solutions and Children Social Care as part of the Family First Partnership Programme.

Accountabilities

• Support manager and practice supervisor in screening new contacts and understanding thresholds.
• Determine direction and actions required to progress cases day‑to‑day and refer key decisions to the Team Manager or Practice Supervisor when needed.
• Provide advice, guidance and support to colleagues on complex cases requiring social work expertise, mentoring and guiding alternatively qualified colleagues.
• Undertake holistic assessments of family needs to create intervention plans and identify how outcomes can be achieved, including group work programmes.
• Facilitate complex family meetings, manage competing views of families and professionals to find achievable solutions.
• Undertake individual and group programmes to help families develop their skills to resolve issues and problems, and provide information and help them access other local services.
• Provide specific practical, personal and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings to achieve agreed and sustainable family outcomes.
• Participate in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions.
• Embed principles of effective practice in service delivery; collaborate with staff and partners to ensure effective risk management and follow the SET child protection procedures.
• Set and achieve individual and shared targets and objectives within the performance management framework.

Experience & Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, and post‑ASYE.
• Recent experience in frontline children’s services, completing assessments and managing CIN and/or CP cases.
• At least three years’ experience post‑qualifying.
• Willingness to work towards the Practice Educator Qualification.
• Strong commitment to uphold the standards and values of the social work profession.
• Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge in relevant professional area and commitment to evidence‑based practice.
• Significant practical experience working with families with multiple and complex needs.
• Effective communication, problem‑solving and assessment skills, with a demonstrable track record of building and sustaining positive professional relationships.
• Experience of applying a solution‑focused approach and providing practical advice and support to families to enable them to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
• Ability to work in partnership with others to maximise outcomes for families in line with the Family Solutions operating principles.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately.

Mobility

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area, including travelling around the County of Essex and beyond. You must have a driving licence and a car, or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Location & Salary

Location: Colchester, Essex
Salary: £38,487 – £51,834 per annum

Equality & Diversity

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the role under our Job Interview Scheme. We also interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. Please contact our recruiters if you require reasonable adjustments during the process.

Benefits

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.