Locum Senior Social Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage Team

The length of this role is 3 months (until 31st December)

The Team

We are currently offering an experienced Social Worker the opportunity to be a part of ECC’s Safeguarding Triage team service, whose focus is on triaging and managing all new safeguarding concerns referred into Adult Social Care.

The role and function of this team is to support effective decision making to ensure section 42 enquiries are progressed appropriately. The role will have oversight and screening of incoming safeguarding workflow but there will be strong links with all quadrants as section 42 enquiries will remain their responsibility, so there is an opportunity to build strong networks in all areas.

The Locum Senior Social Worker position will be home, and office based however, there will be opportunities to visits adults across Essex as part of triaging the safeguarding concerns based on levels of risk and communication. This service will also offer a consistent approach to triaging and the progression of enquiries which will provide Adult Social Care with more accurate information about safeguarding data.

This is a new innovative approach for Essex County Council and the successful applicant will be part of a team that will shape how we ensure safeguarding is made personal when applying Care Act thresholds.

The Locum Senior Social Worker Role

Senior Social Workers are passionate in demonstrating expert and effective practice ability in complex situations. Managing your own complex caseload, as well as supporting colleagues with theirs, you’ll be a source of specialist advice and 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.

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, pro-actively 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
• Allocation to team members and triage of complex cases

About You

To apply, you should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration and be post-qualified 2 years with Adults safeguarding experience and an in-depth knowledge of complex cases and The Care Act. 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.

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.

You’ll also bring:

• 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.
• Subject Matter expertise in Safeguarding and it is desirable to hold a post qualifying award as a Practice Educator, Approved Mental Health Practitioner or Best Interest Assessor

This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us.

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.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.

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. 

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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Please apply today!