Overview
Social Worker - Children in Care, Harlow
Permanent, Full Time
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Community-based worker
Salary: £37,185 to £50,081 per annum
Closing Date: 26 January 2026
About The Role
Essex County Council understand how important flexibility and wellbeing is for our colleagues working across children's Social Care. We have developed a nine-day working fortnight for full time frontline Social Workers within Children’s services. Our Children in Care team in West Essex is a permanent opportunity focused on support, creativity, and making a real impact on young lives.
What You'll Do
* Work with children and young people up to age 18 who need our help, in placements such as foster carers or residential homes, to ensure their experience in care is positive.
* Visit children and young people in placement, develop permanency plans (including Special Guardianship Orders and adoption), and help them understand the reasons behind being in care through life-story work.
* Support some cases with the potential to help young people return home to their birth family.
Key Requirements
* 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, following standards such as the Professional Capability Framework (PCF) and Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
* Strong case recording skills and ability to handle complex social and family situations.
* Proficiency in Word and social work case recording systems.
* Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary to meet children's needs.
What Sets Us Apart
* Unwavering Support: supervision and daily ad-hoc support to excel in your role.
* A Systemic Approach: applying a systemic perspective to address complex challenges.
* Strengths and Trauma-Informed Practice: strengths-based, relationship-based, and trauma-informed practice.
* Top-Notch Training: opportunities through the Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA).
Benefits and Commitments
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. We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. We also support flexible working arrangements and provide employee benefits, including for unpaid carers.
The role requires mobility across the county and beyond, including travel and potentially transporting service users. A driving licence and access to a car or equivalent mobility options are essential.
Additional Information
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and supports applicants who meet the minimum requirements. If you would like to be kept up to date on other opportunities, please join The Essex Talent Community. For queries, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk. Follow us on social platforms for updates.
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