At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team providing urgent community support to prevent hospital admissions.
- Company: Thurrock Council, dedicated to improving community health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on continuous improvement and high-quality outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in adult social care required.
The predicted salary is between 45624 - 52038 £ per year.
The Urgent Community Response Team (UCRT) provides rapid, short-term support to individuals in the community to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and support timely discharges. The service operates as part of Adult Social Care, working closely with health partners and other services to deliver coordinated, person-centred interventions. The team focuses on stabilising situations, promoting independence, and ensuring individuals receive the right support at the right time. As part of a wider integrated system, UCRT plays a key role in reducing pressure on acute services and supporting people to remain safely in their own homes wherever possible.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will be responsible for:
- Providing professional leadership and oversight within the Urgent Community Response Team, supporting high-quality, person-centred practice
- Undertaking complex assessments and making informed decisions to manage risk and ensure safe, timely interventions
- Coordinating and delivering rapid response support to prevent hospital admissions and facilitate safe discharges
- Supervising and supporting team members, offering guidance, mentoring, and reflective practice
- Working collaboratively with health partners and other agencies to ensure integrated and effective service delivery
- Managing a dynamic caseload, prioritising urgent needs within a fast-paced, 7-day service
- Contributing to service development, continuous improvement, and the achievement of team and organisational objectives
This role offers the chance to make a real difference by delivering timely interventions that support individuals to remain safe, independent, and well in their own homes, while reducing the need for hospital admission or long-term care.
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Significant experience in adult social care or a related field, with a strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and person-centred practice
- Proven ability to undertake complex assessments and make sound, defensible decisions in a fast-paced environment
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience supporting, mentoring, and developing colleagues
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with individuals, families, and partner agencies
- Experience of working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary or integrated teams
- The ability to prioritise workload effectively and respond to urgent situations with confidence and professionalism
- A commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes and continuous service improvement
This position operates within a 7-day service, requiring flexible shift working, including weekends on a rota basis.
Essential Qualifications: Relevant Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. DBS Check: Enhanced level with Adult Barred List is required for this post.
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Closing Date (Internal & External): 23rd August 2026
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Trudy Marfo-Amponsah - Service Manager Phone Number: 01375 652850
Senior Practitioner - Urgent Community Response Team in Basildon employer: Thurrock Council
Thurrock Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact local governance and community development. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will receive comprehensive support in your role as a Political Assistant, fostering both professional and personal development. The hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner - Urgent Community Response Team in Basildon
✨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 Thurrock 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 Thurrock 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 Thurrock 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 Thurrock 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 Senior Practitioner - Urgent Community Response Team in Basildon
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 Thurrock Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Thurrock 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 Thurrock 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.
