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Job summary

Main area
CAMHS
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-B-213
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Aubyn Centre
Town
Colchester
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/07/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Social Worker

Band 6

Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and resourceful social worker who will have the ability to respond positively and creatively to the needs of our service users. You will need to be registered with Social Work England and have access to a car as you may also need to provide cover at our other unit.

You will work as part of the wider MDT within the Child and Adolescent Inpatient unit and work closely with outside agencies (including Essex County Council and other local authorities).

Main duties of the job

Your primary post will be within the Child and Adolescent Inpatient services, requiring individuals to think with a positive and forward-thinking attitude, putting the needs and safety of our services users at the heart of everything we do. The role offers the ability to have independent professional freedom but also with access to the support and expertise of a multi-disciplinary team. 


As an NHS employee, you’ll have access to caseload and managerial supervision - as well extensive training and development opportunities (including AMHP Training). 

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As noted, the successful candidate will work as a Social Worker in the Child and Adolescent inpatient services, providing high quality assessments and intervention to service users experiencing a wide range of mental health problems, promoting recovery and independence, using Mental Health Care clusters, third sector and statutory bodies to identify appropriate pathways and treatment plans with service users.

You will support the delivery of strength and asset-based approaches promoting recovery and social inclusion with individuals, carers and families. This post will thus involve implementing the personalisation agenda through inclusive and strengths-based assessments, vital to delivering the statutory social care duties and responsibilities within the Care Act (2014).

Following the appointment and a period of probation, the post holder will be expected to undertake AMHP training, if not already done so. This role will involve undertaking MHA assessments and other allocated work (e.g. Community Treatment Orders) in relation to service users with a broad range of mental health problems. Again, engaging carers and working within appropriate legal frameworks (Mental Health, Mental Capacity, Human Rights, Children’s legislation etc.) is pivotal in reaching appropriate outcomes. (Note those working as AMHPs also receive supplementary pay).

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification – Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
  • Registration with Social Work England

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team – relevant to people with mental health difficulties.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England and appropriate legislation and guidance.
Desirable criteria
  • A variety of experiences working with people with mental health difficulties.

Skills/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Makes ongoing assessments of frequently complex service users needs and associated risks and demonstrates knowledge and understanding of wide range of resource options within budgetary framework/ constraints.
  • Demonstrate the ability to provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information.
Desirable criteria
  • Demonstrate well developed motivational, negotiation, training and empathetic skills as required.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Deborah Griffiths
Job title
Social Work Lead for Specialist Services
Email address
[email protected]
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