At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing vital services for children and young people with disabilities.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to transformational change.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team with excellent career growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and relevant experience in child protection and social care.
The predicted salary is between 57988 - 57988 £ per year.
Secondment, Full Time £48,205 to £57,988 Per Annum Location: Chelmsford Working Style: Anywhere worker Closing Date: 27th July 2026
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 9-12 Months. 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.
The Service consists of the Children with Disabilities Teams, Young People with Disabilities Teams, Child and Family Support Services Teams, Preparation for Adulthood Advisors Teams, Occupational Therapy Teams and a Core Service Development support team. This is an exciting and vibrant service which is in an ongoing phase of service improvement and development to enhance positive outcomes for children and young people with disabilities (from birth up to age 25) and their families and embracing the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) reforms.
The Children with Disabilities Team works with young people and their families from the age of 0 - 16 years. We are currently looking for a Senior Practitioner to work in the Young People with Disabilities Mid team, based in County Hall, Chelmsford and working in the mid Essex geographical area.
Working to the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, including all other relevant legislation pertinent to supporting children, young people and adults with Disabilities within the remit of Social Care.
The Role
The Senior Practitioner role requires leadership in the team, providing both support and mentoring to newly qualified or less experienced staff, overseeing Duty, compiling reports for Team manager and wider service as required and deputising for the Team Manager when needed. They will oversee the review of some child in need plans particularly prior to closure and will have responsibility to lead in a practice area. There will be good opportunities for own professional development and for being part of developing the team and service. There is an ethos of openness to the development of new ideas, particularly to reinforce our relationship-based focus, with service users, within the staff group and with partner agencies.
The successful candidate will be expected to bring developed social work skills and high standards of practice to their own caseload as well as providing modelling, advice and support to colleagues. They will be committed to systemic, relationship based social work, providing effective, innovative interventions and with the ability to build good partnerships, both with our external partners and within the organisation.
Senior Practitioner accountabilities:
- Manage complex caseloads for children and young people with disabilities, providing assessments, advice, and support.
- Provide integrated services to help families meet needs and support transitions to adulthood.
- Monitor unmet needs and develop support networks.
- Assist team manager with team management, including chairing meetings, supervising team members, and deputising as needed.
- Commit to service development projects.
- Maintain records, produce reports, and participate in meetings and reviews.
- Build relationships with other teams and agencies to plan and implement support.
- Offer advice and advocacy for service users.
- Seek training and development opportunities.
- Undertake additional duties as required by the team manager.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Provide specialist advice and professional expertise for social workers, contributing to practice standards and key principles.
- Assess complex social care needs and support vulnerable adults to ensure safety and promote independence.
- Work within statutory legal frameworks, policies, and guidelines, determining thresholds for intervention.
- Manage complex caseloads, maintaining accurate data, reports, and presentations.
- Participate in case conferences, court attendance, meetings, and statutory reviews, leading when necessary.
- Conduct assessments and plan responses to safeguard vulnerable adults.
- Build strong working relationships across the Council, with partners, and voluntary agencies.
- Demonstrate significant social work experience and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance.
- Mentor newly qualified and experienced staff, providing expertise in professional practice.
- Chair meetings involving clients, family members, and multi-agency professionals.
- Develop relationships with partners, agencies, and the community to achieve joint objectives.
- Understand the financial implications of care packages.
- Make clear decisions to highlight and limit risks associated with intervention.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Degree, diploma in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
- Social Work England Registration as a registered social worker.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- IT/Word Processing Skills.
- Evidence of recent practice at an experienced social worker level, supported by comprehensive working knowledge and experience within the field of practice in Children Services.
- Preferably with experience of Child Protection work including section 47 investigations and assessments since the implementation of the Children’s Act 1989.
- Considerable, recent experience of communicating with children of all ages and working in partnership with parents and/or carers.
- Experience in planning activities and programmes for children, young people, and parents.
- Experience of Court work in relation to Child Care matters and an understanding of the legal process.
- Detailed knowledge of current legislation pertinent to Child Protection (e.g., CA1989, CJA1991), Guidance and Regulations.
- Knowledge and understanding of child development, relating theory and practice.
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 and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
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.
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 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. 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) should your role 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.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Senior Practitioner – Children and Young People with Disabilities Mid Essex in Chelmsford employer: Working for Essex
Essex County Council is an outstanding employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises professional development and innovation in social care. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to supporting employees, including unpaid carers, the council fosters an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with disabilities in the dynamic community of Chelmsford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner – Children and Young People with Disabilities Mid Essex 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 Working for Essex.
✨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 Working for Essex!
✨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 Working for Essex, 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 Working for Essex 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 – Children and Young People with Disabilities Mid Essex 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 Working for Essex:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Working for Essex! 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 Working for Essex
✨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.
