Social Worker - Family Support and Protection, North Essex

Essex County Council; Tendring; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK seeks a dedicated Social Worker for Family Support and Protection. This permanent, full-time position involves working closely with families on Child in Need and Child Protection plans. Candidates must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. The role offers a salary of £37,185 to £50,081 per annum and emphasizes strong communication skills and the ability to engage with diverse populations.

Qualifications

• Experience within a social work setting managing challenging family situations.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in social work.
• Ability to develop rapport and engage diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Support children and families through various services.
• Maintain strong relationships with partners and agencies.
• Engage in reflective supervision and training.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Building positive relationships

Understanding of child protection

Capacity to work in diverse communities

Education

Recognised social work qualification

Current registration with Social Work England

Job description

Social Worker – Family Support and Protection, North Essex

Permanent, Full Time*

£37,185 to £50,081 per annum

Location: Clacton on Sea

Working Style: Community‑based worker

Closing Date: 2nd December 2025

Please note, this position is open only to experienced Social Workers who have completed their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and are registered with Social Work England. We are also unable to offer sponsorship at this time for any individuals without the full right to work in the UK.

In line with our Skills and Capability Framework, for an experienced Social Worker the basic salary is between £37,185 per annum and £50,081 per annum with 9 entry points across the range.

*Essex County Council understand how important flexibility and wellbeing is for our colleagues working across children’s Social Care and that we need to think differently. We have therefore developed a nine‑day working fortnight for full‑time frontline Social Workers within Children’s services. If you would like more information on this, please follow this link.

Family Support & Protection

The Family Support and Protection (FS&P) teams work with families on Child in Need & Child Protection plans to promote sustainable change. FS&P Social Workers are responsible for building positive relationships with families using systemic and strengths‑based social work approaches. The work is varied and involves working with Public Law Outline (PLO), Court work including S.7 report and, when necessary, taking families into proceedings and some Special Guardianship Order (SGO) assessments. Through regular reflective supervision and access to CPD/Training from the Essex Social Care Academy, a BASW‑accredited CPD provider, you will be encouraged to be creative and innovative in the direct work you undertake with families.

Responsibilities

This role involves supporting children and families through a range of services, maintaining strong relationships with partners, working within given timescales, and engaging with diverse groups of individuals. You will be required to be mobile throughout a wider operational area, travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings, and, when necessary, using a driving licence or other means to meet mobility requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with Social Work England as a registered social worker.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Experience within a social work setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to develop a rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community, to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and families.
• Understand delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.
• Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

To read more about us please visit https://www.workingforessex.com/role/children-families

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interviewing all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We also interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role.

As part of employment with Essex County Council, if your role requires a DBS check you will be required to register with 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.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email [e-mail]

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