Social Worker

Surrey County Council; Ewell; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is looking for a full-time Senior Social Worker to manage complex caseloads involving children and young people with mental health and social care needs. The successful candidate will engage in direct therapeutic work, oversee care planning, and collaborate with various agencies. This position offers a salary of £47,884 per annum, opportunities for additional leave, and a supportive employee assistance programme.

Benefits

Option to buy up to 10 days additional annual leave

Generous local government pension

Carer's leave and paid volunteering days

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Professional social work qualification required.
• Registration with Social Care England required or in process.
• Sound experience with children, young people, and families.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of children and young people.
• Oversee care planning and risk management.
• Deliver direct work to children and their families in the community.

Skills

Direct therapeutic work

Effective communication skills

Initiative

Effective partnership skills

Education

CQSW or Diploma in Social Work (Dip SW)

Job description

As a Senior Social Worker you will manage a complex caseload, of children and young people with emotional, social and mental health needs. Additionally, you will oversee care planning and risk management, attend key meetings to progress the plans for individual children as well as contribute to overall reflective and systemic thinking. 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. The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the 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 1 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. 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! Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation – Surrey County Council.

We are seeking a full time Senior Social Worker who will work with young people with complex mental health, behavioural and social care needs, and their families. This role involves an assertive outreach approach to deliver direct work to children, young people, their families, and carers in the community.

• A professional social work qualification, CQSW or Diploma in Social Work (Dip SW).
• Registration with Social Care England or in process of registration.
• Sound experience of undertaking direct therapeutic work with children and young people, working with parents, families, carers, and the networks to achieve optimal outcomes for children and young people.
• Ability to show initiative and work effectively within multi‑agency and inter‑professional settings.
• Effective communication skills.
• Effective partnership skills with experience of working collaboratively with other internal departments, and partner agencies.
• This role has a starting salary of £47,884 per annum, based on a 5‑day 36‑hour week.
• 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 Team

The Hope Service is an innovative and highly respected, multi‑disciplinary service for young people aged 11‑18 who are experiencing complex mental health, emotional, social, and behavioural needs which could cause a placement breakdown or may require a Tier 4 hospital admission. It is a partnership between Health Services, Children’s Services and Education. We are a Centre of Clinical Excellence and have been awarded Outstanding by Ofsted.