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.

Family Solutions is an Early Help service in Essex working holistically with disadvantage families, with multiple difficulties to enable them to make significant changes and improvements to their lives. Family Solutions is part of children's social care and was described as "exceptional" by OFSTED in their recent inspection which judged children's social care as "outstanding".

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the highly performing West team. The team is based in Harlow, but covers the district council areas of Brentwood, Epping Forest, Harlow, and Uttlesford. The successful candidate will need to travel independently across this area by car.

The work of a Family Worker is complex, sometimes challenging, but always varied and rewarding. Key aspects of the work include:

Working closely with families to build strong relationships with all family members.

Promoting positive change with families.

Provide both practical and specialist advice as well acting as a lead coordinator for additional support services where appropriate.

Managing your own caseload

Managing safeguarding risks to children

The West team are extremely supportive. The post holder will be supervised by an experienced manager or senior social worker. Family Workers will also utilise support from colleagues who have specialisms in different areas.

The post holder will be expected to operate flexibly, working out of normal office hours when required to best meet the needs of the family.

For an informal conversation about this exciting opportunity call Simon Morris on 07825 860009.


Job Description:

Working as part of a Family Solutions team undertake holistic assessment of family needs and help identify how outcomes can be achieved, ensuring that assessments and intervention plans fully reflect family and young person's views and aspirations.

Provide specific practical, personal and emotional support to families in their homes or other settings as part of an agreed plan, which will be reviewed jointly with families, leading to achievement of agreed and sustainable family outcomes.

Undertake programmes of work to support children and families to develop their skills to resolve issues and problems themselves, provide them with information and accompany them when needed to help them access other local provision

Lawfully share information and work with colleagues and partners to ensure effective planning and delivery of services to families.

Participate actively in regular supervision to review work and ensure effective interventions for families. As part of this, take part in regular professional development sessions designed to ensure that the principles of effective practice are fully embedded in service delivery.

Follow SET Child Protection procedures, ensuring that swift discussion takes place with Practice Supervisor or Team Manager when child protection or other public protection concerns arise.

Maintain a high standard of practice reflecting a value-based approach to working with children and their families.

Follow the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Council's Health and Safety Policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work

Undertake at the discretion of the Team Manager, such other activities as may from time to time arise which are consistent with the nature of the job described above

Skills and Knowledge

Ideally a qualification such as NVQ level 3 in Children and Families or equivalent knowledge and skills from experience working in a related field as well as evidence of working directly with children and families accessing statutory/ non-statutory services.

Commitment to ongoing professional development and aware of the principles of evidenced based practice.

Able to provide practical advice and support to families to enable identified families to achieve sustainable outcomes

Effective communication skills, good problem solving and assessment skills, reliability and good time management skills

Awareness of relevant legislation such as Children Act 1989, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and relevant education legislation.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to use supervision appropriately

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide 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 ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

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.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 03330135888.