Social Workers

Surrey County Council; Old Woking; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Woking is seeking a Senior Social Worker for a 12-month fixed term contract within the Children Looked After Team. The role involves supporting children in care, building relationships, and ensuring their safety and well-being. Qualified applicants with a valid driving license and completed ASYE within two years are encouraged to apply. The position offers a competitive salary range of £47,884 – £51,175 and various benefits including annual leave, learning opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

28 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years

Employee Assistance Programme

Option to buy additional annual leave

Paternity, adoption, and dependants leave

Lifestyle discounts including gym and travel

Referral payment of £1,000

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Work degree and SWE Registration required.
• ASYE completed within two years of qualifying.
• Willingness to travel across a wide geographical area.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and assess children's safety and well-being.
• Build sustainable relationships with children in care.
• Prepare reports and attend court as necessary.

Skills

Qualified Social Work degree and SWE Registration

Car driver with a valid UK licence

UK social work experience

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Overview

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Social Worker to join our Children Looked After Team based in Woking, on a 12 month fixed term contract basis. When not working with our residents in the community, we are keen to support agile working with a combination of home and office working, balancing flexibility with team connectedness.

As a member of the Children Looked After Team, your aim will be to support children living with relatives, friends or foster families and prospective adopters, or older children living in children’s homes and semi‑independent units, and to assess whether it is safe for our children to return to live with birth families.

You will build sustainable relationships with them and plan for their permanence, ensuring their safety and supporting them towards independence.

Responsibilities

Through regular visits, assessments and reviewing their Care Plan, you will nurture and develop meaningful relationships with these children; understand and interpret their wishes; and champion and support them to reach their full potential.

Occasionally, you will be required to prepare reports and attend court and to attend regular supervision and consultations with our Mental Health Focused Social Worker.

You will work alongside other social workers, family support workers, our stable management team and partnership organisations such as Health Services, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (New Leaf), Independent Reviewing officers and carers.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Work degree and SWE Registration
• Car driver with a valid UK licence
• ASYE completed within two years of qualifying
• UK social work experience
• Surrey has both urban and rural areas; Social 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 will be made where needed for successful applicants who have a disability or long‑term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Benefits and salary

The salary range for Senior Social Workers is £47,884 – £51,175 per annum.

• We pay your Social Work England Registration fee
• Access to bespoke learning programmes via our dedicated Children’s Services Academy
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays)
• 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 dependants leave
• A generous local government salary-related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per yearLearning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Refer a friend payment of £1,000 as a thank you for finding the right Social Worker

Commitment and inclusion

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 matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need and value inclusion, warmly welcoming you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

Local Government reorganisation

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.