Essex County Council
Locum CFS Social Worker, CIC Mid
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Locum CFS Social Worker, CIC Mid
Locum Children & Families Social Worker, Mid Essex
About The Role
- Role: Temporary Locum CFS Social Worker (3 months, Full Time)
- Pay: £225 PAYE/£288 via Umbrella
- Location: Chelmsford, community-based
- Closing Date: 3rd July 2026
Why Join Our Team?
We’re not your average organisation. Our Children in Care team in Mid Essex thrives on support, creativity, and impact—combining real relationship-based care with a dynamic, collaborative environment. Whether it’s daily supervision or innovation, we’re in this together.
Key Attributes We’re Looking For:
- Exceptional communicator: Builds trust, articulates clearly, and presents complex information simply.
- Analytical thinker: Assesses risks of significant harm with confidence and insight.
- Lightning-quick and organised: Manages tight deadlines while juggling competing priorities (because children’s lives don’t wait).
- Decisive and safeguard-savvy: Understands escalation protocols and acts swiftly to protect children.
What Sets Us Apart
✨ Unwavering Support
- Experienced managers offer structured supervision—you won’t be left to flounder.
- We insist on daily ad-hoc support because children shouldn’t suffer for bureaucratic hurdles.
📊 Systemic Social Work
We go beyond individual cases—addressing the root causes of systemic challenges that families face.
🌱 Strengths & Trauma-Informed Practice
Relationship-based, strengths-focused care is baked into every approach. Here, those principles aren’t just words—they’re the foundation of everything we do.
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📚 Top-Tier Training
The Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) provides unmatched professional development to help you grow in your career.
What You’ll Do
In this role, you’ll support children and young people up to age 18 who need our intervention, whether in foster care, residential settings, or preparing to return home. Key tasks include:
- Home/school visits to understand placements and challenges.
- Developing permanency plans (e.g., Special Guardianship Orders, adoption processes).
- Conducting life-story work to help children understand why they’re in care.
- Trial conclusions for possible reunification with birth families.
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- Diploma or degree in social work and 3 years+ post-qualifying experience.
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Capability to:
- Adhere to Professional Capability Framework (PCF) and Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
- Handle complex cases with professional * judgement*.
- Maintain comprehensive case records.
Technical & Practical Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Word and social work casework platforms.
- Flexibility to work evenings/weekends when needed (child safety doesn’t follow office hours).
- Must be mobile and fully operational across Mid Essex + surrounding areas:
- Availability to travel for work, transport children/users + their belongings, and respond to emergencies.
- Valid driving licence and access to a car, or commitment to meet mobility requirements (e.g., public transport access, running errands).
Get help with your application
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Why Designate Your Career to Essex?
- A county of choice: Stretching from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary— provide modern urban roots and historic charm.
- More than a workplace: Our Greater Essex Devolution initiative (Mayoral Combined Authority by May 2026) is building a unified, growth-focused region.
Diversity & Inclusion
Essex County Council is committed to fairness: ✅ Disability Confident Leader – Assessing your personal Job Interview Scheme request. ✅ Priorities care leaver and veteran recruits. ✅ Prioritises safeguarding; diverse representation is valued as part of protecting all children.
Next Steps
Ready to apply? Head to Working for Essex.
⚠️ Temporary Assignments & Deductions
- Recognises off-payroll rules (IR35 equivalent): Umbrella pays with PAYE/NIC deductions.
- DBS Update Service requirement: Annual subscription payable from temporary worker.
Need adjustments for interviews? Speak to our recruiters at essexsharedservices@essex.gov.uk.
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