At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through assessments and impactful interventions.
- Company: Essex County Council, an Outstanding social work employer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for career development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 51834 - 51834 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
£36,124 to £51,834 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 27th July 2026
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. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years!
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and experienced Social Workers. (The starting salary for a NQSW is £36,124 per annum and this will rise to £38,487 per annum on successful completion of the ASYE programme). In line with our Skills and Capability Framework, for an experienced Social Worker the basic salary is between £38,487 per annum and £51,834 per annum with 9 entry points across the range.
Our Assessment and Intervention Teams are the vital gateway through which children, young people, parents/carers, and partner agencies access Children and Families services. These teams play a crucial role in safeguarding and supporting children from pre-birth up to their 18th birthday. As part of the A&I service, you will undertake incoming assessments and deliver short-term, impactful interventions with families. The focus is on supporting Children in Need (CIN) and their families through a structured three-month intervention period. You will also be involved in Section 47 child protection enquiries, working collaboratively with the police and other agencies to assess and respond to immediate risks. Where longer-term support is required, cases are transferred to our Family Support and Protection Teams. Alternatively, families may be stepped down to Family Solutions as part of our Early Help Offer, if a social work service is no longer needed following assessment and brief intervention.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a defined caseload, working directly with children, young people, and families/carers.
- Conduct enquiries, assessments, and purposeful interventions to achieve positive change and improved outcomes.
- Undertake direct work and reviews in relation to Child Protection, Child in Need, and Children Looked After.
- Support children in achieving permanency, including those in the care of the local authority.
What you will need:
- Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent and registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
- Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
- Demonstrate an ability in the application of social work knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.
- A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems e.g. Word, social work case recording systems.
- Required to work flexibly as required, very occasionally including evenings and weekends.
- 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.
Join us and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families across the county.
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.
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.
Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, Mid Essex in Chelmsford employer: Working for Essex
Essex County Council is an outstanding employer, recognised for its commitment to social work excellence and employee development. With a collaborative and compassionate work culture, we offer flexible working arrangements, comprehensive support for unpaid carers, and numerous opportunities for career growth within a dynamic public service environment. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Chelmsford and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, 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 Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, 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.
