Social Work Practitioner

Social Work Practitioner

Permanent, Full Time

£31,931 to £36,423 per annum

Location: Harlow

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 17th November 2025

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It’s an exciting time to join us having received our 2 ^nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

The Role

D-BIT Core Teams work with children / young people and their families where there are concerns that the relationships shared between family members are strained and referring social workers have assessed there to be a significant risk of the child / young person becoming estranged from their families and networks.

D-BIT work with families holds the child / young person at the centre of engagement with a mindfulness regarding the importance of family and relationships at all times. The majority of the families we work with, are finding it difficult to communicate with one another. They may have lost sight of the things that strengthen and sustain their relationships and lives. We use strengths based and solution focused methodology to support them in developing and implementing sustainable, long term desired change. Intervention is intensive and time limited and as consequence, caseloads are comparatively small and offer the opportunity for direct and frequent engagement at the heart of families.

Our work involves listening, reflecting, talking with families and supporting them to find their own way to move things on in their relationships. Our best hopes are that this work will enable them to build bridges and provide opportunities for family members to re-engage with the things that work for them. Many individuals and families identify new things about themselves and their strengths that are helpful. We encourage everyone in the family to value the things that are working well and to do more of this. We explore the value of these changes with them in whole family conversations and activities. We approach our work in this way because we know that can work and promote good outcomes for children / young people and their families.

As a Social Worker joining the team you will:

• Work flexibly with children / young people and their families, within their homes and/ or in the community.
• Work with families at times that are good for them, so you would likely find yourself undertaking a considerable amount of work with families in their homes in the afternoons and early evenings
• Occasionally there is a requirement to work on weekends where it is a best fit for families or engage families with activities.
• Work closely with referring Social Workers and other agencies.
• Have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and experience of using a Solution Focussed Approach in your work with families

D-Bit West is an inclusive reflective and creative team and is passionate about working alongside families to support them in creating the positive change they wish to see. Our team members have a range of social work/ alternative experience and backgrounds but are united in using a Solution Focused approach in the work with families. You will have access to reflective and solution focused supervision alongside team reflective case discussions and be within a supportive team environment. You will have the rewarding social work experience of seeing many families create change and being alongside them in this journey.

Skills, Knowledge 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 our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

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 looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025 , Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.

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.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/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 would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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