Social Worker – Young People With Disabilities, South

Overview

Social Worker - Young People With Disabilities, South Essex

Permanent, Full Time*

Salary: £34,902 to £50,081 per annum

Location:

Basildon

Working Style:
Community-based worker

Closing Date: 15 February 2026

This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and experienced Social Workers. The starting salary for a NQSW is £34,902 per annum and this will rise to £37,185 per annum on successful completion of the ASYE programme. 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 colleagues working across children’s Social Care. We have therefore developed a nine-day working fortnight for full time frontline Social Workers within Children’s services.

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and flourish. We have a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion, focusing on promoting the development and well-being of children, young people, and their families, while protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners, we deliver a range of early help, family support, and effective social work interventions that build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

Social Worker – Young People with Disabilities – YPWD Team (formerly the Transition Team) involves managing a caseload of children and young people with disabilities, providing assessment of their needs, advice, support, and the development of care plans and support packages in accordance with practical guidance. The Young People with Disabilities Team (YPWD) focuses on working with young people and their families from the age of 16 up to 25.

Social workers are responsible for building relationships with young people and families using systematic and strengths-based social work approaches. They work alongside young people and their families during the transition from Children’s services into adulthood, including school and leaving college (Education, Health, and Care Plans). This includes support into accommodation (residential/supported living), support into day services, development of independence, and support into work experience/supported employment.

The work is varied and involves working with legislation such as the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and other relevant legislation related to supporting children, young people, and adults within the remit of Social Care. Tasks include undertaking Transitions/Pathway Assessments/plans, Mental Capacity Assessments (including Deprivation of Liberty), Community Care assessments, and implementing and reviewing support packages/plans.

The Young People with Disabilities Team (YPWD) is part of the Children and Young People with Disabilities Service (CYPWD), which consists of The Child and Family Support Teams, The Preparation for Adulthood Advisors Teams, Occupational Therapy Teams, and a core Children and Young People with Disabilities team (0-16-year-olds).

This is an exciting phase as we improve our services for children and young people with disabilities (from birth up to age 25) and their families, embracing the SEND reforms.

• Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
• Registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
• Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
• Demonstrate an ability in the application of social work knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.
• A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems e.g. word, social work case recording systems.

Required to work flexibly as required, very occasionally including evenings and weekends. Please note that for this team,…