Senior Social Worker - Learning Disabilities & Autism

at  Essex County Council

SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER - LEARNING DISABILITIES & AUTISM

Permanent, Full Time
£45,217 to £54,395 per annum
Location: Harlow, Epping & Uttlesford
Working Style: Community-based worker
Please note this vacancy is also available as a secondment opportunity for up to 24 months
The Team
The LD & Autism team strives to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities and/or autism through the work we do, we are a supportive team and work with the person at the centre of everything we do. Working with community groups, family and carers you will ensure advocacy for people with learning disability and/or autism.
We take a person-centred approach to practice and support adults with achieving their goals and ambitions, while also meeting their social care needs. This is achieved through direct work, multi-disciplinary approaches, collaboration and building local community links.
Joining a LD & Autism team at Essex means you will be working in a supportive and innovative environment enabling you to develop your own ideas to make meaningful changes to the Adult’s lives. The achievements with the team truly make a difference in the adults lives we work with and take a step towards changing the opportunities and outcomes for adults in our local community.
About the role
Working to support adults, and their families, who have complex social needs and are more vulnerable as a result of disability, exclusion, or diminished capacity, you’ll maximise their potential to live independently. You’ll be a source of specialist advice, managing your own complex caseload as well as supporting colleagues with theirs.
You will assess social care needs using a person centred and strengths-based approach and contribute to the development of care and support plans for adults. The role will require you to manage a caseload of adults with complex needs, including assessment of risk through direct work, within a quality assurance process. A focus of the role will be to ensure vulnerable people are safeguarded in line with ECC’s statutory obligations.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Working collaboratively across the Council, with partners and statutory and voluntary agencies, to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Taking part in a range of case conferences, court attendance, meetings and statutory reviews, proactively taking the lead when a social care perspective is required.
• Developing a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice, and leading on those areas

About you
To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and be post-qualified at least 2 years with experience of working with Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism. You will bring an in-depth knowledge of complex cases, The Care Act and Adult Social Care processes including CHC, assessment and support planning, and safeguarding. You will be AMHP, BIA or PE qualified, or have secured intention to complete these qualifications.
You’ll bring significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing advice and guidance in complex situations. We’re also looking for your ability to mentor both newly-qualified and experienced team members. As, as a subject matter expert in relevant professional practice, you should have a comprehensive understanding of current legislation, regulations and guidance.
With 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 vulnerable adults.
We require a proactive worker who has a proven record of working complex cases and supporting other staff members. A worker who wants to develop and become part of the management Team.
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.
What We Offer in Return

We’ll support you to be your best…

• Training and development to empower you from our award-winning Essex Social Care Academy.
• With us you can make your career work for you with flexible working options
• With us you can get the support you need with employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease Car scheme
• Up to £8000 for relocation*
• With us you can have peace of mind with life assurance of three times annual salary
• Payment of professional fees for approved professions
• Local Government Pension Scheme. View Key Facts and FAQ’s about the LGPS.
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - access to free and confidential information, support, and guidance from a team of highly qualified professionals.
• Employee Networks – communities to support you, connect you and help influence change at ECC
• T&Cs Apply.

Whatever you want to achieve in your social care career, you can do it here.
For more information visit our Adult Social Care Brochure or contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk
Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on https://www.workingforessex.com/working-here/pay-reward/
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 .
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.
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Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours

• Working collaboratively across the Council, with partners and statutory and voluntary agencies, to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Taking part in a range of case conferences, court attendance, meetings and statutory reviews, proactively taking the lead when a social care perspective is required.
• Developing a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice, and leading on those area