Adult social care practice lead - quality assurance team

*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in-person collaboration at our Chelmsford office, typically around 2 to 3 days per week dependent on business need.

We have an exciting opportunity for an adaptable, motivational and innovative qualified Social Worker who has a passion for delivering excellence to join our Quality Assurance Team.

The ASC Practice Lead role directly influences how Social Work practice is delivered across Adult Social Care services. Sitting within the Quality Assurance team, this role will work alongside all of our Adult Social Care teams. This is a varied role, with lots of opportunities to work closely with a wide range of colleagues, taking learning from practice and finding different ways to embed this in service delivery.

You will have excellent communication skills, be creative and inspiring and able to engage effectively with colleagues at all levels. We can offer you an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop professionally.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Adult Social Care

Key Responsibilities:

* Work within the statutory legal framework and organisational policy, ensuring full compliance with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983, and subsequent amendments, including Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Continuing Healthcare. Provide authoritative advice on legislation, policy, and best practice guidance.
* Demonstrate expert practice, offering professional advice and support to colleagues through assisted fieldwork, audits, reflective practice and case reviews, contributing to continuous improvement in service delivery.
* Contribute to Adult Social Care research and development, participating in projects that inform service planning, innovation, and the creation of effective practice responses and support networks.
* Lead and undertake audits, investigations and quality reviews, translating findings into actionable improvements to drive consistency, quality and accountability across operational teams.
* Support service improvement activity, acting on inspection outcomes, audit findings and evaluation evidence to implement changes that lead to better outcomes for the people of Essex.
* Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners and multi‑agency networks, taking a lead role in developing integrated approaches to practice.
* Develop, implement and oversee quality assurance and evaluation systems, ensuring that reviews of policy and practice remain aligned with current legislation, national developments and local priorities.

The Experience You Will Bring:

* Qualified Social Worker, with Social Work England (SWE) registration.
* Evidence of continuing professional development and demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. professional capability framework, knowledge and skills statement.
* Substantial experience with the ability to carry out reviews, investigations and audits, communicating recommendations into programmes of work and ensuring these are implemented in practice.
* Deep understanding of delivery of high-quality practice aligned to achievement of high-quality outcomes, as measured through the application of the ASC Quality Assurance Framework.
* Experience within a social care setting with evidence of demonstrating exemplar standards of practice.
* Developing strong influential relationships with partners and other agencies to maintain and develop best practice and achieve joint objectives.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

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 February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) ) on our careers site

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. For further information on the DBS update service please go to

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.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.

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