Senior Social Worker - Enhanced Countywide Inreach

About the Team

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our Countywide Enhanced Support Inreach Team. The team work alongside adults and young people with a complexity of needs related to their Learning Disability, Autism, Mental or Physical Health or a combination of these. In this role, your focus will be on people aged 16 and over, either in hospital, detained under the Mental Health Act or on the dynamic support register (i.e. at risk of that detention or hospital admission to an assessment and treatment unit).

Managing your own complex caseload, as well as supporting colleagues with theirs, you'll be a source of specialist advice around working with people with a significant complexity of need, including mental health, autism and learning disability, to enable the mitigation of high levels of risk. You'll also bring your professional expertise to contribute to the development of practice standards and our four key principles of prevention, early intervention, enablement and safeguarding.

• Working collaboratively across the Council, with partners and statutory and voluntary agencies, including education, to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Care Act assessment with associated care and support planning.
• Compiling information for Mental Health Act tribunals, including preparation of Social Circumstances Reports.
• Working with colleagues in Education and health around the Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP).
• Taking part in a range of case conferences, court attendance, meetings, and statutory reviews, pro-actively taking the lead when a social care perspective is required. This will include s117 aftercare planning and presentation to relevant forums, i.e., S117 panel and Adult Social Care forums.
• Developing a high level expertise in particular areas of practice, and leading on those areas.

To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and will be AMHP, BIA or PE qualified. You will be post-qualified at least 2 years with an in-depth knowledge of complex cases and The Care Act. A sound knowledge of the Children's Act would also beneficial.

There would be an expectation of a significant knowledge base around autism or neurodiversity, though there is scope for additional focussed training for the right applicant.

We require a proactive and passionate worker who has a proven record of working complex cases. You'll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations with the ability to mentor both newly-qualified and experienced team members.

As a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance. You'll have 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 the people we work with.

• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
• An in-depth understanding of the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
• 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.

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 here.

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