Social Worker

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is recruiting a Social Worker to join its Community Mental Health Team in Loughton, West Essex.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Available — applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

This is a Band 6, full-time, fixed-term position for 6 months, offering a salary of £39,959 to £48,117 per year, plus HCA.

The closing date for applications is 20 September 2026.

Job Overview

The successful candidate will join the Community Mental Health Team serving the Loughton area and provide professional social work support to adults experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties.

EPUT is looking for an enthusiastic, resourceful and creative Social Worker who can take a positive, person-centred approach when supporting service users, families and carers.

The role provides an opportunity to exercise professional autonomy while working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.

You will work alongside mental health professionals and partner organisations, including crisis intervention services, inpatient services, specialist mental health pathways, GPs and Essex County Council.

Job Details

Job Information	Details
Job title	Social Worker
Employer	Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Location	Rectory Lane Health Centre, Loughton, Essex
Postcode	IG10 3RU
Region	West Essex
Band	Band 6
Salary	£39,959 – £48,117 per year plus HCA
Contract	Fixed term
Duration	6 months
Working pattern	Full-time
Date posted	7 September 2026
Closing date	20 September 2026
Reference	364-B-311-A
Sponsorship	Skilled Worker sponsorship applicants welcome

About the Role

The Social Worker will provide holistic and recovery-focused support to adults receiving community mental health services.

The position combines statutory social care responsibilities with mental health social work practice. You will use strengths-based approaches to promote independence, social inclusion and recovery.

The role also involves working closely with service users, families and carers to understand their individual circumstances and develop appropriate support and intervention plans.

See also Patient Services Team

Professional autonomy is encouraged, while support is provided through the wider multidisciplinary team and Social Care Leadership Team.

Main Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Provide high-quality assessment and intervention for people experiencing a wide range of mental health problems.
Promote recovery, independence and social inclusion.
Use strengths-based approaches when working with individuals and families.
Complete strengths-based assessments.
Fulfil statutory social care responsibilities under the Care Act 2014.
Support safeguarding and person-centred care.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues and partner organisations.
Support service users and their families in achieving positive outcomes.
Provide coaching and support to students and unqualified staff where required.
Maintain high professional and ethical standards.
Develop effective working relationships with health and social care professionals.

Mental Health Act and AMHP Opportunities

Following completion of probation, Social Workers who are not already qualified will have the opportunity to undertake Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) training.

AMHP responsibilities can include undertaking Mental Health Act assessments and associated statutory duties.

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The advert states that AMHP work attracts additional pay and reduced caseloads, providing an opportunity for professional development and career progression.

Professional Development and Training

EPUT places significant emphasis on the professional development of its Social Workers.

The Trust provides access to structured caseload supervision, support from the Social Care Leadership Team and extensive training opportunities.

Development opportunities include:

AMHP training
Therapy training
EMDR
CBT
DBT
Dual Diagnosis
Perinatal mental health
Psychosis
Personality Disorder services
Leadership development
Clinical expert career pathways

The Trust also supports initiatives such as Think Ahead and encourages career progression for Social Workers interested in leadership or specialist clinical roles.

See also Health Care Assistant

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have an appropriate Social Work qualification, such as:

Degree in Social Work
Diploma in Social Work (DipSW)
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)
CSS or equivalent qualification

Applicants must also have current UK professional registration.

Desirable Qualifications

It would be advantageous if applicants are:

Studying towards a full Post Qualification Award in Social Work; or
Willing to undertake further postgraduate Social Work study.

Essential Skills and Experience

Applicants should be able to:

Coach and support students or unqualified staff.
Provide supervision where required.
Demonstrate strong professional and ethical values.
Use IT and computer systems effectively.
Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Deliver person-centred and recovery-focused interventions.
Apply strengths-based approaches to social care practice.

Strong communication and presentation skills are desirable.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a salary of £39,959 to £48,117 per year plus HCA.

Employees can also benefit from:

27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
NHS pension with contributions of up to 14.5% of pensionable pay.
Blue Light Card discounts.
NHS and staff discount offers.
£8,000 relocation package for eligible staff moving to Essex to join EPUT.
Interest-free season ticket loans for tram, rail and bus travel.
Access to occupational health support.
Mental health and wellbeing services.
Counselling support.
Staff recognition awards.
Flexible working opportunities.
Job-share opportunities.
Opportunities to work bank shifts to supplement income and develop skills.

Flexible Working

EPUT promotes flexible working and states that flexible working is available from day one for most roles.

Applications for job sharing are also welcomed.

Staff can additionally use bank work opportunities to supplement their income and gain further experience.

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

Important for international applicants: The employer’s advert explicitly states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

See also Programme Manager

This makes the vacancy relevant to eligible Social Workers who require employer sponsorship to work in the UK.

However, applicants must meet the role’s professional requirements, including the requirement for current UK professional registration.

Applicants should carefully review the employer’s sponsorship and registration requirements before applying.

UK Professional Registration

The advert states that applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Candidates trained outside the UK should therefore ensure that they meet the relevant UK professional registration requirements before applying.

Location

Rectory Lane Health Centre
Rectory Lane
Loughton
Essex
IG10 3RU
United Kingdom

Loughton is located in West Essex and forms part of the wider community mental health services provided by EPUT.

DBS Check

This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

A DBS check will therefore be required as part of the recruitment process.

Overseas Applicants and Criminal Record Checks

The NHS advert states that Skilled Worker applicants applying for entry clearance may need to provide criminal record certificates from countries where they have lived for the required period.

Applicants should review the applicable UK government requirements and ensure that any necessary documentation is available.

See also Support Worker

Who Can Apply?

This vacancy may be suitable for:

Qualified Social Workers.
Social Workers with relevant mental health experience.
Social Workers seeking a Band 6 opportunity.
Candidates interested in community mental health services.
Social Workers interested in AMHP training.
UK-based Social Workers seeking a new opportunity.
Eligible international Social Workers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship and meet the professional registration requirements.

Application Process

Applications should be submitted through the official NHS Jobs application system.

Candidates should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates how they meet the essential qualification, skills and professional requirements listed in the person specification.

Closing date: 20 September 2026

How to Apply

Full details + Apply:
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9364-26-0847/ats-direct-apply

Applicants should use the official NHS Jobs application link above to submit their application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this Social Worker job offer Skilled Worker sponsorship?

Yes. The advert states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

What is the salary?

The salary is £39,959 to £48,117 per year plus HCA.

What NHS band is the position?

This is a Band 6 Social Worker position.

Is the position full-time?

Yes. The advertised working pattern is full-time.

What type of contract is offered?

The position is a 6-month fixed-term contract.

See also Support Worker

Where is the job based?

The position is based at Rectory Lane Health Centre, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3RU.

What qualification is required?

Applicants need an appropriate Social Work qualification, including a Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent.

Is UK professional registration required?

Yes. The advert states that applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Is AMHP training available?

Yes. Following probation, applicants who are not already qualified may have the opportunity to undertake AMHP training. AMHP work attracts additional pay and reduced caseloads.

When is the closing date?

The closing date is 20 September 2026.

Employer

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT)

EPUT provides secondary mental health services across West Essex and supports people with severe or complex mental health needs.

The Trust promotes professional development, inclusion, staff wellbeing and career progression.

Important Application Note

This job advert confirms that Skilled Worker sponsorship applicants are welcome. However, sponsorship does not remove the requirement to meet the vacancy’s professional eligibility criteria.

Applicants should independently confirm their eligibility, current UK professional registration and any applicable immigration requirements before submitting an application.

Source: NHS Jobs / Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Reference: 364-B-311-A
Closing date: 20 September 2026

Apply via NHS

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