Senior Social Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage Team
Fixed Term / Secondment, Full Time
£46,574 to £56,027 per annum
Location: Chelmsford / Essex
Working Style:
This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity until 31/03/2027.
About the Team
The Centralised Safeguarding Triage team triage and manage all new safeguarding concerns referred into Adult Social Care. The role and function of the team is to support effective decision making to ensure section 42 enquiries are progressed appropriately. The role will have oversight and screening of incoming safeguarding workflow but there will be strong links with all quadrants as section 42 enquiries will remain their responsibility, so there is an opportunity to build strong networks in all areas.
This service also offer a consistent approach to triaging and the progression of enquiries which will provide Adult Social Care with more accurate information about safeguarding data. This is a new innovative approach for Essex County Council and the successful applicant will be part of a team that will shape how we ensure safeguarding is made personal when applying Care Act thresholds.
The position will be a mixture of home and office based however, there will be opportunities to visits adults across Essex as part of triaging the safeguarding concerns based on levels of risk and communication.
About the Role
As a Senior Social Worker in the team you will:
Provide Expert Guidance: As a highly skilled Social Worker you will foster a supportive environment and model best practice, offering specialist advice, and mentoring both newly qualified and experienced colleagues.
Assess and Support: You will manage a diverse and complex caseload, undertaking comprehensive assessments and creating person-centred care plans.
Ensure Compliance: You will support the people we work with to live full and fulfilling lives, within the framework of our statutory Care Act requirements, relevant legislation and organisational standards.
Manage Caseloads: We look to our Senior Social Workers to provide expert social work practice in complex situations, upholding the highest standards of professional practice.
Collaborate: The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships across the Council and with our partners helps shape solutions that are high-quality and promote independence.
Represent Adult Social Care: Confident in chairing multi-agency meetings, you will proactively take the lead to ensure a social care perspective is actively represented.
About You
To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and be post-qualified 2 years with an in-depth knowledge of complex cases and The Care Act. You will be AMHP, BIA or PE qualified, or have secured intention to complete these qualifications.
We require a proactive and passionate worker who has a proven record of working complex cases and supporting other staff members. A worker who wants to develop and become part of the management Team.
You’ll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. We’re also looking for your ability to mentor both newly-qualified and experienced team members. As, as a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance.
With experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members, carers and other multi-agency professionals, we’re looking for your ability to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to provide a supportive framework for vulnerable adults.
You’ll also bring:
1. Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
2. An in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
3. The ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.
This role involves travelling around Essex. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.
Why Join Us?
In June 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our Adult Social Care services as “Good” with a score of 73%
“The local authority had a good structure and processes in place to enable people to be supported successfully, and support people to remain independent and live healthy lives. The workforce was passionate about supporting people to achieve these outcomes and the local authority had good knowledge of their area, the people living there and the demographics.”
You can read the full report on the CQC website
4. and about the LGPS.
5. Volunteering leave
6. 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising with service
7. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
8. Employee Networks – communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC
9. Payment of your Social Work England registration fees!
Whatever you want to achieve in your social work career, you can do it here.
*T&Cs Apply.
For more information
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 ) 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, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
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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