Team Manager - Mental Health Social Workers

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Woking is seeking a Team Manager of Senior Mental Health Social Workers. In this permanent role, you will lead and develop a team dedicated to improving the mental health outcomes of children and young people. The position involves managing referrals, delivering training, and ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed support. The organization offers flexible hybrid working options and competitive benefits, aiming to make a lasting impact in the community.

Benefits

26 days' holiday, rising to 31 after 5 years

Generous pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development resources

Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Substantial experience at a management level in mental health practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multi-agency systems.
• Knowledge of relevant mental health legislation and safeguarding frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee allocation of social care referrals and ensure timely response.
• Deliver training on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Produce quarterly impact reports for service development.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical supervision

Problem-solving

Excellent communication

Collaboration

Education

Qualified Social Worker or equivalent

Job description

This permanent role has a starting salary of £54,636 per annum, ased on a 36 hour working week.

We're delighted to be expanding our Mental Health Social Work offer within Children's Services and are now recruiting for a Team Manager of Senior Mental Health Social Workers. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people experiencing emotional and mental health challenges.

We're looking for someone to lead and develop the Mental Health Social Work (MHSW) team within Children's Services, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed support for children and young people experiencing emotional and mental health challenges. This role will strengthen practice links between Children's Services and Mindworks, enhance resilience within the team, and improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

We support hybrid working with the right balance. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week) and support working from home the rest of the time.

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

Day-to-Day Responsibilities include:

• Oversee allocation of social care referrals to the team and ensure timely triage and response.
• Attend complex strategy meetings where mental health is a feature, support discharge planning, and embed trauma-informed practice.
• Deliver training on mental health and emotional wellbeing to internal and external partners.
• Attend relevant provider collaborative and public health meetings, disseminating key learning and thematic insights.
• Produce quarterly impact reports and annual training offers to inform service development.
• Line Management of a team of Mental Health Social Workers

This role will contribute to the implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme, by helping build and maintain new and existing partnerships across the Surrey health landscape. This role will also be crucial in supporting the transition through local government reorganisation in Surrey, ensuring we continue to provide excellent service to children with complex mental health presentation.

This role will drive a proactive, collaborative approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health, influence strategic development and deliver training to partners across the system and ensure monthly group supervision and reflective spaces are convened to discuss complex circumstances and themes.

Your Application

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

• Qualified Social Worker or equivalent level professional qualification plus substantial experience at a management level
• Significant experience in mental health practice.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including clinical supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multi-agency systems.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983), Mental Capacity Act (2005), and safeguarding frameworks.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 2 questions:

• What interests you about working with adolescents with complex mental health presentation?
• Describe your suitability for this role based on the job description and person specification.

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

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 30/01/2026 with interviews planned to follow.

Local Government Organisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, 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!

Our Commitment

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.