Interviews for this role will take place via video calling using Microsoft Teams.

Essex County Council continues to review its ways of working during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to work within adult social care with a focus on "digital first", where the default position is, where possible, for our staff to work from home (this is continuously reviewed). All candidates applying to Adult Social Care will be expected to join on a 12-week rota on a 6-day shift pattern and this will include some weekend work. However, we still promote flexible working and a flexible work pattern can be discussed. For further details please enquire with our resourcing team, alternatively working patterns can be discussed at interview.

Seeking skilled, motivated Senior Social Worker/Senior OT with a proven track record of practice in line with the standards expected by Social Work England to join On Going Support Team which is one of three Teams in North which comprises the Older Adult Ongoing Support Services. You will be part of a Team which covers the Colchester localities. Team members include social workers, occupational therapist and community support workers. You will work closely with the other senior practitioner and Deputy Team Manager to coproduce systems to support and maintained good practice within the team.

Job Purpose
ECC Adult Social Care, through effective practice, is moving towards a transformational shift from a focus on long-term care support, to a model with four key principles: - prevention; early intervention; enablement and safeguarding.
This will enable people, their families and carers to access information and tools, live healthily and independently and for our function an opportunity to respond pro-actively to growing service demand in a sustainable way, within the financial constraints of the Council.

Senior social workers are passionate in demonstrating expert and effective practice ability in complex situations. Managing a caseload and supporting colleagues with complex cases, with an ability to mitigate high levels of risk. Working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory/voluntary agencies ensuring a joined up approach.

Significant experience of social work, modelling good practice and providing expert advice and guidance is essential in this role.

Service/Functional Accountabilities
Senior Social Workers will provide a source of specialist advice and professional expertise for social workers, contributing to the development of practice standards and the four key principles.

Accountable for assessment of complex social care needs and provision of support for vulnerable adults to ensure they are safe and have good outcomes to promote independence.

Accountable for working within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determining when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached in line with legislative and organisational standards within the Care Act 2015 (e.g MCA/DoLS/CHC assessments etc).

Responsible for managing a complex caseload, maintaining accurate and timely data, reports and presentations as required.

Responsible for participating in a range of case conferences, court attendance, meetings and statutory reviews, pro-actively taking the lead when a social care perspective is required.

Accountable for conducting assessments and plan responses which safeguard vulnerable adults, including intervention as required.

Builds strong effective working relationships across the Council, with partners and members of voluntary agencies.

Delivers a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice and leads on those areas, contributing to the development of a prevention and early intervention service.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Educated to degree level (i.e. Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS) or equivalent.

Evidence of continuing professional development and demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards eg professional capability framework, knowledge and skills statement. Current registration with Social Work England as a registered social worker

Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulations and guidance.

Experience of mentoring both newly qualified and experienced staff and being a subject matter expert in professional practice.

Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals.

Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and vulnerable adults.

Understanding of the financial implications of care packages commissioned.

Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

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.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 0333 013 5888.