Adults Social Worker - Older Adult Mental Health

Interview date : 29th July 2025

This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) with relevant experience in Mental Health. The starting salary for NQSWs is £34,902 per annum, rising to £37,185 per annum upon successful completion of the ASYE programme.

The Team

We are a committed team working with adults aged 65 years plus and their carers diagnosed with functional or organic mental illnesses such as dementia, both in the community and developing discharge pathways from inpatient wards.

Our team collaborates closely with mental health inpatient wards, Severe Dementia and Frailty Services, and Social Care neighbourhood teams, managing ongoing support and reablement for people with mental health needs. You will support adults from the start of their journey, review their goals, and ensure their social care plans promote independence and opportunities.

This role covers Colchester and Tendring, involving a mix of home, office, and community-based working. Candidates must be within reasonable commuting distance, as emergency visits may be required.

About the Role

You will support adults and their families with complex social needs, maximizing their potential for independent living. Responsibilities include caseload management, risk assessment, direct work, commissioned services, and reviews. You will focus on complex cases, safeguarding adults and their families, and sharing best practices within a multi-disciplinary team.

This role promotes innovative, person-centred, and partnership working with adults, carers, and other statutory and non-statutory services to support mental health, wellbeing, and positive outcomes.

Watch our short video to learn more about the role and working at Essex County Council.

About You

You should be a qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration, with significant experience in social work and mental health. You should demonstrate good practice, provide advice in complex situations, and have a comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation and guidance.

Experience in chairing meetings with clients, families, carers, and multi-agency professionals is essential. You should have strong relationship-building skills with partner agencies and the community.

You will also need :

• Evidence of ongoing professional development and practice aligned with current standards.
• An understanding of the financial implications of care packages.
• The ability to make clear decisions and identify risks associated with interventions.

This role requires travel around Essex and beyond. A driving license and access to a car, or alternative mobility solutions, are essential.

Why Join Us?

We support your growth and development with training from our Essex Social Care Academy, flexible working options, employee wellbeing support, a lease car scheme, relocation assistance, life assurance, professional fee payments, pension scheme, volunteering leave, annual leave, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

Join us to make a difference in social care and support vulnerable adults. In June 2025, our services were rated 'Good' by the CQC, reflecting our commitment to quality and outcomes.

Apply now or contact Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk for more information.

Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and committed to fair recruitment practices, including adjustments for disabled applicants, veterans, and care leavers.

Once employed, you'll benefit from many employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements.

We uphold high standards of integrity and ethics, promoting our code of conduct and Nolan principles throughout the employment process.

If required, roles may involve a DBS check, with annual renewal via the DBS update service. More information can be found at https : / / www.gov.uk / dbs-update-service .

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

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