Social Worker Family Worker; Link South

About the Role

Social Worker Family Worker (Link Role), South Essex – Permanent, Full Time.

Salary: £38,487 to £51,834 per annum.

Location:

Basildon & Rayleigh.

Working Style:
Community-based worker.

Closing Date: 28th June 2026.

• Act as a source of advice and support for colleagues, including joint visits and joint working on complex cases such as concerns around neglect.
• Support the team to build positive and constructive working relationships with statutory children’s services.
• Manage your own caseload and assess safeguarding risks.
• Work in partnership with the team manager and practice supervisor to review referrals and support threshold decisions.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with families to promote positive change.
• Provide practical and specialist advice.
• Facilitate complex family meetings and coordinate additional support services.
• Offer emotional and practical support in homes and community settings.
• Work closely with your manager or senior social worker through regular supervision.
• Support the further integration of Family Solutions and Children Social Care as part of the Family First Partnership Programme.

• Support manager and practice supervisor with screenings of new contacts and threshold decisions.
• Determine direction and actions required to progress cases, recognising when key decisions need referral to the Team Manager or Practice Supervisor.
• Act as a source of advice, guidance and support to colleagues on complex cases, mentoring and guiding alternatively qualified colleagues.
• Undertake holistic assessments of family needs to create intervention plans and identify outcomes that reflect the family and young person’s views and aspirations.
• Facilitate complex family meetings, managing competing views to find achievable solutions.
• Implement individual and group programmes enabling children and families to resolve issues, providing information and accompanying families to access other local services.
• Deliver specific practical, personal and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings according to an agreed plan.
• Participate in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions.
• Embed principles of effective practice in service delivery, collaborating with staff and partners to ensure risk management and adherence to threshold procedures.
• Meet specific individual and shared targets and objectives defined annually within the performance management framework.

• Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, and post-ASYE.
• Recent experience in frontline children’s services, completing assessments and managing CIN or CP cases.
• At least two years’ experience post qualifying.
• Willing to work towards a Practice Educator Qualification.
• A strong commitment to uphold the standards and values of the social work profession.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and commitment to evidence‑based practice.
• Significant practical experience with families having multiple and complex needs.
• Effective communication, problem‑solving and assessment skills with a track record of building positive relationships with individuals and families with multiple needs.
• Experience of applying a solution‑focused approach and providing practical advice to families to achieve sustainable outcomes.
• Ability to work in partnership with others to maximise outcomes for families in line with Family Solutions operating principles.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to use supervision appropriately.

Mobile throughout a wider operational area, including travel within Essex and beyond. Must have a driving licence and a car or access to alternative transport to meet mobility requirements.

Flexible working arrangements and support for unpaid carers.

Essex County Council is committed to interview all disabled applicants who apply under the Job Interview Scheme, all veterans, and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role.