Adults Senior Social Worker

Surrey County Council; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Epsom seeks experienced Senior Social Workers for their team, offering a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth. The role involves conducting assessments, working with care legislation, and supporting clients through hospital discharge processes. A professional qualification in Social Work and registration with Social Work England are mandatory. This permanent position offers a salary of £47,884 annually with perks including generous annual leave, hybrid working options, and training opportunities.

Benefits

26 days holiday increasing with service

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing discounts

Qualifications

• Must be registered with Social Work England.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to social care is essential.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Care Act assessments and Mental Capacity Act assessments.
• Work collaboratively with health partners and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support adults and their carers through the discharge process.

Skills

Knowledge of Care Act

Experience in safeguarding

Assessment skills

Supervision skills

Communication skills

Education

Professional qualification in Social Work

Job description

• Salary: £47,884 per annum, pro-rata for part‑time
• Category: Qualified Social Work - Adult's
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 36 and 21.60 hours per week
• Posted on: 19 December 2025
• Closing date: 6 January 2026

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This permanent role has a starting salary of £47,884 per annum, based on a 36‑hour working week or £28,730 per annum based on a 21.60‑hour working week.

We have a great opportunity for two Senior Social Workers to join our fantastic Epsom General Hospital Team.

We currently have two positions available:

• 1 full‑time (36 hours per week)
• 1 part‑time (21.6 hours per week)

We support hybrid working with the right balance and staff are expected to be in the office at least 3 days per week. Our team covers the hours of 8am–6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am – 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Currently, the successful applicant will not be expected to work weekends. Our Senior Social Workers typically work Monday to Friday 9am‑5pm.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About The Role

This is a great opportunity to step into a role within a supportive, high‑performing, and award‑winning team. Based in Epsom Hospital, our team is known for its collaborative culture, commitment to professional development, and strong track record in delivering timely, person‑centred hospital discharges.

Our team is one of five of Surrey County Council's acute hospital teams consisting of qualified and non‑qualified staff and sitting within the Adult Social Care directorate. Working closely with health partners, residents and families, we ensure people receive the right support at the right time. We support our clients throughout the discharge process, ensuring patients are discharged to return to living in the community or short‑term placements, with packages of care in place, under the Discharge to Assessment Framework, enabling assessment post‑discharge within a set timeframe, as they regain their independence to the maximum.

This role provides a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills, through promoting strengths‑based and person‑centred practice that is legally compliant and supports our residents to be discharged from an acute hospital setting in a safe and timely manner.

When joining us, you will receive regular supervision, management support, training opportunities, and peer‑to‑peer learning, all of which will promote your own professional growth and development. You will become part of a fantastic team that supports each other, enabling a positive and collaborative approach to our work.

This will be a highly varied role which will include:

• Care Act assessments
• Mental Capacity Act assessments and leading on Best Interest Decisions
• Screening residents for eligibility for Continuing Healthcare
• Safeguarding concerns and completing Section 42 Enquiries
• Partnership working with our Hospital NHS colleagues, including Discharge to Assess
• Attending Multi‑Disciplinary Team meetings on the wards
• Working with and supporting adults and their carers, advocates and families through the discharge process
• Supervision and support of staff development and performance

You will work closely with Adult Social Care locality and specialist teams, as well as community health, charities and voluntary organisations.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours :

• Professional qualification in Social Work and current registration with Social Work England
• Knowledge and experience of current legislation, including the Care Act and the Mental Capacity Act, and the application of this to practice in a social care setting
• Knowledge and experience in carrying out safeguarding enquiries, carrying out assessments within the hospital and/or community and working with a diverse group of individuals and partner agencies
• Experience of providing supervision to qualified staff and experienced social care staff, and supporting with their development
• Commitment to your own professional development

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and social care workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long‑term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

• Looking at our advert, and considering the Council's commitment to ensuring that "no one is left behind", please tell us what it is about the role that has motivated you to apply?
• Please tell us about the relevant experience or transferable skills you have that you can bring to this role?
• What three qualities do you have that would make you a good Senior Social Worker and how do these qualities support Surrey County Council's culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and adaptability?
• Please outline how you would provide a strength based and person‑centred approach to discharge planning from hospital.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & OurLife at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 06/01/2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Sean McDonough via email at [e-mail] or on 01372 832321.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.