Adults Senior Social Worker - Elmbridge

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency in Surrey is seeking a Senior Social Worker to join their Elmbridge Locality team. This role involves assessing social care needs, providing support to complex service users, and supervising junior staff. Candidates must have a relevant degree and significant experience in social work. Enjoy benefits such as up to 31 days of annual leave and the opportunity for hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

26-31 days of holiday

Employee Assistance Programme

Lifestyle discounts

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Registration with Social Work England.
• Substantial post-qualification professional experience.
• Experience in complex social work situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct social work intervention to challenging service users.
• Supervise and support junior staff.
• Work with a strength-based approach.

Skills

Experience in assessing social care needs

Knowledge of The Care Act

Experience in safeguarding enquiries

Strong communication skills

Professional reflective supervision experience

Education

Relevant degree in Social Work

Job description

This role has a starting salary of £46,399 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.

We are hiring a new Senior Social Worker to join our fantastic Elmbridge Locality team, based in Weybridge but with a hybrid work style consisting of remote working and two days in the office (pro-rata). We are proud to consider ourselves a forward thinking, motivational team with a strong ethos of cultural growth and continuous education and learning.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), 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
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Elmbridge Locality supports those from the age of 18 upwards with eligible care support needs. We provide advice and guidance with a vast range of community resources and support networks. The team strives to safeguard those who require additional support whilst promoting independence and choice. You will always find our team friendly and approachable, whilst supporting each other with an active reflective and learning culture.

We are a large team that support individuals across community and hospital settings. We celebrate diversity and believe that differences make us stronger.

About the Role

As a Senior Social Worker in Mid Surrey, you will have strong experience in assessing social care needs, and provide direct social work intervention to some of the most challenging and complex service users and their carers. You will provide effective support to individuals using a strength-based approach to enable independent living allowing more choice and control. As a Senior Social Worker, you will supervise and support staff, working alongside the Team Managers to improve processes and shape the team.

You will be well supported in your role and will benefit from a structured induction programme. We strive to be an open and collaborative team, with a shared aim to empower communities and people to be the best they can be. We work with a strength-based focus in how services are shaped and how needs are met. We are continually learning from each other and partners and strive to be the best at what we do for everyone we work with. We support curiosity in all we do to find development and learning opportunities for individuals and our team to grow as a service.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• A relevant degree and registration with Social Work England
• Substantial post-qualification professional experience as a Social Worker
• An applied knowledge of The Care Act and The Mental Capacity Act and experience of undertaking safeguarding enquiries
• Experience of working in complex situations using professional judgement and a range of interventions
• Experience of professional reflective supervision, guidance and advice to less experienced Social Workers, including those completing ASYE and social work students

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and locality based social care workers will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and 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.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/08/2025 with interviews planned to be held at Dakota, Weybridge.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.