Senior Practitioner - Fostering Team Mid Essex in Chelmsford

Secondment, Full Time £48,205.00 to £57,988.00 Per Annum Location: Chelmsford Working Style: Anywhere worker Closing Date: 28th July 2026

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 18 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 Fostering Service recruits, assesses, supports and develops foster carers. The teams match children to families and provide continual support. Placement support is a real strength across the fostering service, as it strives to achieve permanence and the very best outcomes for the children in care in Essex. This is an exciting time within the Fostering Service as there are many new developments taking place and it is a great opportunity to be part of a supportive and dedicated team.

You will be supporting foster carers in moving children on to new placements, independence or the process of reunification work with families in a positive manner. Identifying gaps in the foster carer’s competency, running support groups and training courses. Working in partnership with professionals to ensure that children and young people and members of the fostering household have their assessed needs met. Attending looked after children’s reviews, placement planning meetings and other meetings, as required.

The Senior Practitioner role provides leadership in the team, providing both support and mentoring to newly qualified or less experienced staff 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 their own professional development and for being part of developing our team and service. There is an ethos of openness to the development of new ideas, particularly to reinforce our relationship-based focus, both with our service users and within the staff group.

Skills and knowledge

• A recognised social work qualification i.e diploma, degree or masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England (SWE) as a registered social worker.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.
• Experience of mentoring both social work students and newly qualified and experienced social work staff, being a subject matter expert in professional social work practice.
• Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children, young people and families.
• In depth understanding of delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
• Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

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.

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.

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.