Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options.

Job Purpose

ECC Adult Social Care is making a transformational shift from a focus on long-term care support, to a model with four key principles: prevention, early intervention, enablement and safeguarding. Enabling people, to access information and tools, to live independently and allowing a positive response to growing service demand in a sustainable way, within the financial constraints of ECC.

Working with Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, delivering bespoke intervention work, in accordance with the care plan, to vulnerable adults. The role may be required to manage a caseload, including assessment of risk through direct work, within a quality assurance process. A focus of the role will be to ensure vulnerable people are safeguarded in line with ECC's statutory obligations.

With relevant experience of working with vulnerable adults or educated to Level 3 (RQF). You will be passionate about engaging with and providing support in the community, working with partners as required.

Service/Functional Accountabilities

* Assess social care needs and provide support to vulnerable adults, to enable them to live healthily and independently; maintaining high standards of professional practice which contribute to continuous improvement across the service and delivering the four key principles.

* Contribute to the development of care and support plans that gain commitment to solutions to meet each individual's needs.

* Works collaboratively with others, including placement team, to support the individual to commission care and support from appropriate providers; including developing their own employees through Direct Payments.

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

* Responsible for highlighting issues and implementing plans to safeguard a vulnerable adult.

* Building strong, effective relationships with clients, families and carers providing practical advice, support and, where necessary, acting as an advocate. Enabling vulnerable adults to live healthily and as independently as possible.

* Work collaboratively across the service, with internal and external professional partner agencies to deliver joint objectives and ensure improved outcomes for vulnerable adults.

* Provides information and advice in relation to involvement/accessing of third party agencies relevant to the needs of the client (eg benefits agencies, immigration, and housing).
* Attends meetings, reviews, case conferences and court hearings to provide information, insight and evidence; providing reports where appropriate.

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

Experience / Qualifications

* Experience within a social care setting, an NVQ/BTEC Level 3 or equivalent is desirable.
* Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in relevant professional area.
* Experience of building strong, effective relationships with adults, their families and carers in times of challenge and crisis.
* Experience of undertaking direct, activity based work with adults.
* Knowledge of legislative and policy guidance applicable within Social Care settings.
* Proven track record of building working relationships with partners and external agencies.
* A certificate in First Aid and/or knowledge of Sign Language is desirable in this role.


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.