Social Worker – Family Finding, Adoption South Essex
Location: Basildon • Working Style: Community-based worker
Fixed Term, Part Time • 22.2 hours per week (3 days) • Pro rata salary £20,941 to £30,049 per annum
Contract: Fixed term contract or secondment until 1 October 2026.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? An exciting opportunity awaits in our Children and Families service, where we foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion.
Join Our Adoption Team:
Based in Basildon, you will coordinate, undertake and support family finding for children who have a plan of adoption. We identify suitable adoptive placements county-wide, working with neighbouring quadrant teams and our partners in Adopt East for a comprehensive approach.
What You’ll Do
* Assess complex social care needs, offering crucial support to children and families.
* Provide and deliver comprehensive plans for direct work with children to prepare them for adoption.
* Work closely with birth families to provide support and guidance relating to adoption.
* Attend adoption craft and profiling events, some at weekends, to support family finding for children.
* Work with partners within the Adopt East Alliance.
* Engage directly with young children, facilitating an understanding of their care plans.
* Prepare children for adoption placements through personalised direct work.
* Develop adoption support plans that empower families and build resilience.
* Navigate the statutory legal framework, ensuring timely intervention when needed.
* Collaborate with internal and external partners, stakeholders and the voluntary sector to provide comprehensive support.
* Conduct assessments and plan responses to safeguard children and promote welfare.
* Champion a child-centred approach with emphasis on early intervention and prevention.
* Influence inter-agency planning and decision-making to shape positive outcomes.
* Communicate assessments and professional judgments clearly, both orally and in writing.
* Work with families, communities and individuals to support strategic aims and promote well-being.
* Manage individual and shared targets within the performance management framework.
Your Experience
* A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
* Continued professional development aligned with relevant competency frameworks.
* Experience in challenging social and family situations within a social work setting.
* Strong communication skills with adults and children, building rapport with diverse groups.
* Direct work experience with children, showing ability to connect on a personal level.
* Proven ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines.
* Establishing strong relationships with partners, agencies and the local community.
* Understanding value-for-money delivery of interventions balanced against need.
* Clear decision-making skills to highlight and mitigate potential risks associated with intervention.
If you’re ready to contribute to creating a brighter future for children and families, apply now. Join us in a rewarding journey where your skills and passion will make a lasting impact.
To read more about us please visit: Children & Families
Please view the No Magic Children & Families video.
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. A full driving licence and access to a car or the ability to meet mobility requirements through other means is essential.
Why Essex?
Essex County Council is one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, offering a stimulating public service environment. We cover a wide area and are committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. We value flexible working options and innovation.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements.
DBS: If your role requires a DBS check you will need to register with the DBS update service. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for maintaining it. Further information at the DBS Update Service.
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.
For updates on opportunities andnews, join The Essex Talent Community or contact resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
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