At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and empower families in a community-based role.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a leading local authority committed to transformational change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities.
- 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: Harlow
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 29th July 2026
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.
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Unlocking Opportunities for You: Join Our Social Care Team!
At Essex County Council, we value our colleagues' well-being and recognise the importance of flexibility in the demanding field of children's Social Care. That's why we're excited to introduce an innovative approach to work-life balance: the nine-day working fortnight, designed specifically for full-time frontline Social Workers within Children’s services.
A Glimpse into Our World: Children with Disabilities (CWD)
CWD is part of the Children and Young People with Disabilities (CYPWD) service in West Essex. We work with children 0-16 with disabilities. We are a strong team with committed workers who continually strive to support the children we work with.
Our Children and Young People with Disabilities Service is on a mission to empower children and young adults up to 25 years old who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, along with their families. The service operates from offices strategically located in Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester, and Harlow, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all. Within these offices, our dedicated teams collaborate seamlessly to provide an integrated and holistic service.
Meet Our Dynamic Teams:
- 0 – 15 Social Care: Caring for the youngest members of our community.
- 16 – 25 Social Care: Supporting the transition into adulthood.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Enhancing lives through tailored therapies.
- Preparing for Adulthood (PFA’s): Guiding our youth on the path to independence.
But we're not stopping there. Our high-needs further education team is on a mission to break down barriers. They process applications for additional funding, making sure learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have the opportunity to access post-16 college provision.
Your Journey Begins Here: What We're Looking For
If you're ready to embark on this rewarding journey with us, here's what we're seeking:
- Qualifications: A diploma or degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS, or an equivalent qualification.
- Certification: Registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
- Professional Standards: A demonstrable capability to practice in line with current professional standards, such as the Professional Capability Framework (PCF) and Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
- Documentation: Proficiency in case recording.
- Social Work Skills: The ability to apply social work knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills, and confidence in challenging social and family situations.
- Tech-Savvy: A strong working knowledge of information technology and related systems, including Word and SW case recording systems.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends when necessary to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
Ready to make a meaningful difference? Join us at Essex County Council, where we're transforming lives and creating a brighter future for our community. Your journey starts here!
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.
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.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
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 - Children with Disabilities, West Essex in Harlow employer: Working for Essex
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers in the Children with Disabilities team. With innovative benefits like a nine-day working fortnight, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to employee well-being, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across West Essex. Join us in a dynamic public service setting where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Children with Disabilities, West Essex in Harlow
✨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 - Children with Disabilities, West Essex in Harlow
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.
