Senior Practitioner – Assessment & Intervention; A&I), South

Senior Practitioner – Assessment & Intervention (A&I), South Essex

Permanent, Full Time*

£48,205 to £57,988 per annum

Location:

Basildon

Working Style:
Community-based worker

Closing Date: 12th July 2026

The A&I teams are the gateway for children, young people, parents and carers, and other agencies to gain access to our Children & Families services. In this role you will manage a complex caseload, provide expert supervision and coaching to colleagues, and deputise for the Team Manager, leading the team and managing duty services.

• Provide expert advice and professional supervision for social workers and contribute to the development of practice standards.
• Assess complex social care needs and develop support for vulnerable people, children and families.
• Work within the statutory legal framework, policy and guidance and determine when the threshold for statutory intervention has been reached.
• Manage a complex caseload, maintaining accurate and timely data, reports and presentations as required.
• Participate in case conferences, court attendance, meetings and statutory reviews, proactively taking the lead when a social care perspective is required.
• Conduct assessments and plan responses to safeguard and promote a child’s welfare, providing appropriate interventions as determined by need.
• Build strong effective working relationships across the Council, with partners and members of voluntary agencies to help people get the best start in life and age well.
• Deliver a high level of expertise in particular areas of practice and lead on those areas, contributing to development.
• Define and achieve annual target and objective within the performance management framework.

• Recognised social work qualification (Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) with current registration with Social Work England.
• Evidence of continuing professional development aligned to relevant professional competency frameworks.
• Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up‑to‑date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulation and guidance.
• Experience mentoring social work students and newly qualified or experienced staff, acting as a subject matter expert.
• Experience chairing meetings involving clients, family members or carers and multi‑agency professionals.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives.
• In‑depth understanding of delivery of value‑for‑money interventions balanced against need.
• Proven track record of clear decision‑making to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.

We offer a competitive salary, a desirable pension scheme, life assurance of three times the salary, generous annual leave with the option to buy additional holiday, tax‑free childcare savings, discounted health and dental care and opportunities for ongoing training. Flexible working arrangements, including the possibility to work from home, are encouraged to support work/life balance.

Mobile throughout a wider operational area, with the ability to travel around Essex and beyond, transporting service users and belongings. A valid driving licence or an alternative method must be provided to meet the role’s mobility requirements.

Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader. We welcome applications from disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job and who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme. We also interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. Reasonable adjustments will be provided during the process where required.

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.