Social Worker – Children in Care

Essex County Council | Locum | £36 per hour | Hybrid Working

Essex County Council is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join their Children in Care Team. This role focuses on supporting children and young people in care, ensuring they receive stable placements, effective care planning, and positive long-term outcomes.

You will work closely with children, carers, families, and partner agencies to promote stability, permanency, and wellbeing for looked after children.

In this role, you will:

• Manage a caseload of Looked After Children
• Undertake statutory visits and ensure compliance with care planning requirements
• Develop and progress permanence plans including reunification, long-term fostering, SGO, or adoption
• Prepare reports for LAC reviews, court, and permanency planning meetings
• Work closely with foster carers, residential settings, and partner agencies
• Support children and young people to achieve positive outcomes in education, health, and wellbeing
• Maintain accurate and analytical case recordings

What You’ll Need:

• Social Work England Registration
• Social Work Qualification
• At least 3 years’ post-qualified experience in children’s social care
• Experience working within a Children in Care / Looked After Children team
• Strong understanding of care planning and permanency processes
• Excellent assessment, analytical, and report-writing skills

Why Sheldon Phillips?

Because we actually listen to what you need. We’re not just here to fill roles—we’re here to find you the right fit in a supportive and rewarding team. That’s why social workers trust us to help them take the next step in their careers.

If you want to know more about this Social Worker – Children in Care role in Essex, give Ellis Russell a call on 01635 226350 – let’s have a chat!

And don’t forget – if you refer a friend and we place them, you’ll get £300 as a thank you! (Terms and conditions apply).