Adults Senior Social Worker - Guildford Locality Team

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Guildford is hiring a Senior Social Worker to join the Guildford Locality team. The role involves conducting assessments, complex case management, and providing supervision to junior staff. Candidates must hold a relevant degree and be registered with Social Work England. The position offers a salary of £47,884 per annum along with various benefits, including hybrid working options and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

26 days' holiday, increasing with service

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous pension scheme

Lifestyle discounts

Volunteering days

Qualifications

• Substantial post-qualification professional experience as a social worker.
• Experience providing reflective and professional supervision.
• Knowledge of current legislation in social care settings.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking Care Act assessments and Reviews.
• Managing complex casework and legal cases.
• Providing supervision and guidance to less experienced social workers.

Skills

Professional supervision

Knowledge of The Care Act

Safeguarding enquiries

Flexibility

Education

Relevant degree and registration with Social Work England

Job description

This role has a starting salary of £47,884 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We are hiring a new Senior Social Worker to join our fantastic Guildford Locality team. The team is based in Guildford and we are a varied and vibrant team; allowing those who wish to do so to specialise in their area of interest. Alternatively, you will have the opportunity to move between the sub-teams and develop a whole range of specialist knowledge!

We are a forward thinking and motivational diverse team incorporating multi-agency and collaborative working as an ever-expanding ambition for the team to promote opportunities for team members and customers. We promote choice and opportunity not just for our customers but for our team members, including hybrid working.

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
• Investing in individual growth and career progression
• Ensuring our workplaces and practices are supportive and inclusive

About the Team

Guildford Locality Team is one of the largest Locality Teams in Surrey. You will join a supportive, skilled, and creative team that values a strong work ethic, honesty, reliability, and the ability to apply and document thorough assessments and reviews based on your expertise. This ensures we provide a service we can all be proud of and share our knowledge and skills.

About the Role

Within the Senior Social Worker role, you may have the opportunity to work throughout the team on Duty and in Allocations, incorporating safeguarding adults experience, case management of D2A cases, joint working with Occupational Therapists and Surrey's Reablement Team to name a few. You will become accustomed to service provision on the phone as well as visiting clients in their own home or care setting. You will work in Surreys strength-based approach method whilst promoting client's choice and independence.

As a Senior Social Worker you will be undertaking Care Act assessments, Reviews, Mental Capacity Assessments, and legal case work - of which will include complex case management in line with the job description. You will also have the responsibility of providing regular supervision within the team and the opportunity of contributing/arranging complex case discussion meetings as part of CPD practice.

You will receive training and support in all areas, as well as regular professional supervision, to ensure your transition into the team. By building on the foundation of your experience, and by directing your knowledge and skills within the social work context, the team will support you to become confident and competent to fulfil the requirements of the role.

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 is also required.
• Experience of providing professional supervision (can include unqualified and non-professional supervision).
• You will be motivated and flexible with high professional standards and sound knowledge and experience of current legislation and its application to practice in a social care setting.
• An applied knowledge of The Care Act and The Mental Capacity Act and experience of undertaking safeguarding enquiries is essential alongside experience of working in complex situations using professional judgement and a range of interventions.
• You will have experience of, and be able to provide, 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 31/08/2025 with interviews to be confirmed.

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

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!