Children's Social Worker - Children In Care

• Annual Salary: £36,101 to £48,622
• Location: Chelmsford
• Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
• Working Style: Community-based worker
• Closing Date: 3rd April 2025

Join Essex County Council's dynamic Children in Care team in Mid Essex, where flexibility, wellbeing, and a supportive environment are at the heart of our operations. We are committed to a systemic, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to social work, ensuring every child's experience in care is a positive one.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Conduct visits to children and young people in placements, ensuring their care experience is supportive and nurturing.
• Develop permanency plans for children, including Special Guardianship Orders and adoption processes.
• Engage in life-story work to help children understand their care journey.
• Collaborate with foster carers, residential home staff, and other stakeholders to ensure the well-being of children in care.
• Provide support that might enable children to return to their birth families when possible.
• Be prepared to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the children.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS, or an equivalent qualification.
• Registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
• Demonstrated capability in practice, adhering to the Professional Capability Framework (PCF) and Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and social work case recording systems.
• Ability to handle complex social and family situations with confidence and professionalism.
• Must be mobile throughout Essex and beyond, with a driving licence and car, or the ability to meet mobility requirements through other means.

Benefits:

• Training and development opportunities from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
• Flexible working options.
• Employee wellbeing and counselling support.
• Lease Car scheme.
• Relocation package up to £8000 (subject to eligibility).
• Life assurance of three times annual salary.
• Payment of professional fees for approved professions.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Volunteering leave.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Employee Networks to support and connect.