Social Worker – D-BIT South, South Essex

Social Worker – D-BIT South, South Essex

12 month secondment / Fixed Term contract

Full Time, 37 hours per week

£34,902 to £50,081 per annum

Location: Basildon

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 18th January 2026 (23:59)

This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Experienced Social Workers.

The starting salary for a NQSW is £31,161 per annum and this will rise to £34,712 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 £34,712 per annum and £46,751 per annum with entry points open at 9 different stages of the salary range.

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.

We place children and young people at the heart of our work, always mindful of the importance of family relationships. Using a strengths-based, Solution Focused approach, we help them rediscover and build on what works.

Our interventions are intensive, time-limited, and focused—allowing for frequent, meaningful engagement. Through listening, reflection, and whole-family conversations, we support families to identify their strengths, reconnect, and create lasting change. This approach consistently promotes positive outcomes for children and their families.

As a Social Worker joining our team, you will:

• Work flexibly with children, young people, and families in homes and community settings, often during afternoons, evenings, and occasionally weekends.
• Collaborate closely with referring Social Workers and partner agencies.
• Develop your skills in Solution Focused practice through direct work, supervision, and team reflection.

About D-BIT South

We are an inclusive, reflective, and creative team passionate about supporting families to achieve meaningful change. Our diverse backgrounds are united by a shared commitment to Solution Focused approaches. You’ll be part of a supportive environment with regular reflective supervision and the opportunity to witness and contribute to positive family transformations.

Please contact Olly Harvey – South Team Manager for an informal chat: 07714 737829.

To read more about our business area, please visit Children & Families

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

The Experience You Will Bring

• A recognised social work qualification i.e. Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 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.

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 or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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