Social Worker - Community Mental Health Recovery & Wellbeing

Essex County Council; Brentwood; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers to join their mental health social work team. The role involves providing social care services, contributing to community mental health treatment, and ensuring high standards of service delivery. Candidates should have a relevant social work qualification and experience in mental health settings, with excellent communication and teamwork skills. Competitive salaries and a range of benefits are offered, including training and flexible working options.

Benefits

Training and development through Essex Social Care Academy

Flexible working options

Employee counselling services

Lease Car scheme

Up to £8,000 relocation allowance

Life assurance of three times your annual salary

Payment of professional fees for approved professions

Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Experience in mental health and multidisciplinary working.
• Understanding of Mental Capacity Act and Care Act.

Responsibilities

• Provide social care services within the Recovery Wellbeing Community Mental Health Team.
• Contribute to change management and continuous improvement.
• Chair meetings with clients and multi-agency professionals.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Creativity

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

This position is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). The starting salary for NQSWs is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.

Why Join Us?

With us, you can achieve more — for yourself as well as the vulnerable adults you work to support. We're always looking for new ways to deliver even better services. Social Workers play an integral role in our preventative approach to Social Care. We encourage our multi-disciplinary teams to share their ideas and experiences. We work together to get things done. Bring your positive, proactive attitude, and we'll empower you to make the most of your experience within Essex County Council (ECC) Adult Social Care services.

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join mental health social work in our Partnership organisation that promotes standards for Employers of Social Work and subscribes to the Department of Health's Social Work for Better Mental Health programme, and the Think Ahead initiative. You will work at the forefront of our community mental health treatment teams providing EPUT's secondary mental health services.

As a Social Worker, you will play a key part in providing social care services and exemplifying social work practice within the Recovery Wellbeing Community Mental Health Team, ensuring that excellence of service is provided across the department. You will contribute to change management, concluding ECC's transformation and ensuring it is configured for continuous improvement, adhering to the Key Performance Indicators as provided by ECC under the Section 75 partnership agreement.

The role requires an individual with high flexibility and creativity, a positive, forward-thinking attitude, and experience working within a multidisciplinary team and in mental health. You need excellent verbal and written communication skills, be proactive in your approach, and comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary environment. The team includes social workers, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and psychiatrists, offering invaluable experience to further your career.

The team is established and cohesive, providing an environment that nurtures Social Workers undertaking their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).

Take a look at our brief video for a glimpse into the role and what it's like to work for ECC.

About You

To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with a current Social Work England registration. You will bring social work experience, evidence of continuing professional development, and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards. Experience of mental health and multidisciplinary working, along with sound knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Care Act, is essential.

As a subject matter expert, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations, and guidance. Experience chairing meetings involving clients, family members, carers, and other multi-agency professionals is required. You should be able to develop strong relationships with partner agencies and the local community to support vulnerable adults.

Additionally, you will bring:

• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice according to current standards.
• An in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
• The ability to make clear decisions, highlighting and limiting potential risks associated with interventions.

This role involves travel around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and access to a car, or the ability to meet mobility requirements through other means, are essential.

What We Offer

We'll support you to be your best…

• Training and development through our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
• Flexible working options to help you balance your career and personal life.
• Support for your wellbeing, including employee counselling services.
• Lease Car scheme.
• Up to £8,000 relocation allowance*.
• Life assurance of three times your annual salary.
• Payment of professional fees for approved professions.
• Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQs about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave.
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — access to free, confidential support and guidance.
• Employee Networks to support, connect, and influence change at ECC.

*T&Cs apply.

Apply now.

For more information, contact [e-mail]

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 developing your career or contributing to the community, Essex is the place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which aims to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. More information about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) can be found on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements under our Job Interview Scheme. Please contact our recruiters for reasonable adjustments during the process.

We are also committed to interviewing all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We ask that you embrace our code of conduct and Nolan principles throughout the recruitment process. Your adherence helps us maintain a positive, respectful workplace.

If your role requires a DBS check, you will need to register with the DBS update service, which keeps certificates up to date and allows authorized parties to view the status. This is an annual subscription, and you are responsible for maintaining it. More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

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