Please note interviews will be held on 12th November 2019

Team Manager
Special Guardianship Order and Connected Person Assessment Team
Chelmsford
Salary £46,475 to £57,575 per annum

A new Special Guardianship Order (SGO) and Connected Person Assessment team was created in Essex in April 2019. This team has been undertaking SGO and Connected Person assessments for half of the county. The team has been able to provide focused and expert assessments which have significantly improved the service given to children and families involved in SGO and Connected person care.

Given the success of the first team, we are now recruiting a 2nd team to expand this service countywide. The 2nd team will be centrally based in Chelmsford, located alongside the 1st team.

The 2nd Team Manager will need to recruit and embed a team of 2 Senior Practitioners and 7 assessing Social Workers and will then manage their assessments of Special Guardianship and Connected Person (fostering) applications. They will work very closely with the existing team; sharing a joint referral system, collaboratively allocating work and ensuring development of best practice in this expanding and exciting area of social work.

We are looking for a Team Manager with:

• Commitment to children remaining with their extended family when possible.
• A clear understanding of when family placements are the best long term solution for a child.
• The vision and drive to make this an excellent service providing outstanding assessments for the whole county.
• An interest in research, policy and processes and the creativity, ability and drive to develop ideas into practice,
• Excellent communications skills in order to work collaboratively with the 1st team as well as with colleagues in child care teams.
• An understanding of systems to ensure good quality data collection and clean analysis of outcomes which will inform practice.
• A commitment to flexible working in order to encourage a culture of supreme flexibility within the team; as many assessments are out of county and/ or with families who have huge demands on their time.

For further information please contact service manager,
tel: 07786125674 or Team manager, tel 07730616759

What you'll need to join our Social Work teams

Diploma or degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent

Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Registered Social Worker

Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS)

Case recording

Demonstrate ability in the application of SW 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, SW case recording systems

Required to work flexibly as required, including evenings and weekends if necessary.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide 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 ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.



As part of employment with Essex County Council 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 visit:



Please note ECC regularly reviews its reward and benefits

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.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.
If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 03330135888.