Social Worker – Young People With Disabilities, South Essex
Permanent, Full Time*
£34,902 to £50,081 per annum
Location: Basildon
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 15th February 2026
This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and experienced Social Workers. (The starting salary for a NQSW is £34,902 per annum and this will rise to £37,185 per annum on successful completion of the ASYE programme).
In line with our Skills and Capability Framework, for an experienced Social Worker the basic salary is between £37,185 per annum and £50,081 per annum with 9 entry points across the range.
*Essex County Council understand how important flexibility and wellbeing is for our colleagues working across children’s Social Care and that we need to think differently. We have therefore developed a nine-day working fortnight for full time frontline Social Workers within Children’s services.
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and flourish. We have a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion, focusing on promoting the development and well-being of children, young people, and their families, while protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners, we deliver a range of early help, family support, and effective social work interventions that build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
Children and Young People with Disabilities – YPWD Team
The role of a Social Worker within the Young People with Disabilities Team (formerly the Transition Team) involves managing a caseload of children and young people with disabilities, providing assessment of their needs, advice, support, and the development of care plans and support packages in accordance with practical guidance. The Young People with Disabilities Team (YPWD) focuses on working with young people and their families from the age of 16 up to 25.
Social workers are responsible for building relationships with young people and families using systematic and strengths-based social work approaches. They work alongside young people and their families during the transition from Children’s services into adulthood, including school and leaving college (Education, Health, and Care Plans). This includes support into accommodation (residential/supported living), support into day services, development of independence, and support into work experience/supported employment.
The work is varied and involves working with legislation such as the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and other relevant legislation related to supporting children, young people, and adults within the remit of Social Care. Tasks include undertaking Transitions/ Pathway Assessments/plans, Mental Capacity Assessments (including Deprivation of Liberty), Community Care assessments, and implementing and reviewing support packages/plans.
The Young People with Disabilities Team (YPWD) is part of the Children and Young People with Disabilities Service (CYPWD), which consists of The Child and Family Support Teams, The Preparation for Adulthood Advisors Teams, Occupational Therapy Teams, and a core Children and Young People with Disabilities team (0-16-year-olds).
This is an exciting phase as we improve our services for children and young people with disabilities (from birth up to age 25) and their families, embracing the SEND reforms.
Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video here
To read more about our business area, please visit Children & Families
Skills and Knowledge
- Diploma or degree in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.
- Registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker.
- Demonstrable capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards e.g. Professional Capability Framework (PCF), Knowledge & Skills Statement (KSS).
- Demonstrate an ability in the application of social work knowledge, using emotional intelligence, analytical skills and act with confidence in challenging social and family situations.
- A good working knowledge and ability to use information technology and related systems e.g. word, social work case recording systems.
Required to work flexibly as required, very occasionally including evenings and weekends.
Please note that for this team, experience in Adults Social Care is particularly desirable.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
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.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
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.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.
Links / Downloads
Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours
